iMovie is one of the best video editing programs for Mac.

Before fully jumping in, and especially prior to producing your video, check out some tips on how to edit audio in iMovie.

Quick Navigation

  • An Easier Way to Edit Audio in Videos
  • How to Add Sound Effects, Voice over and Background Music to Videos in iMovie
  • How to Completely Control the Volume in Videos in iMovie
  • Easy Way to Detach Audio in iMovie
  • How to Replace or Remove Audio in iMovie
  • How to Fade in and Fade out Audio in iMovie

1. An Easier Way to Edit Audio in Videos

iMovie does a great job of editing videos, but since its basically a free video editor, it comes with its own limitations.

On the one hand, iMovie is only available on Mac, so Windows users won't be able to use it. Furthermore, its audio editing prowess is pretty basic at best.

Once you start editing audio in iMovie, you would soon discover that it can't do very much, as it is limited in features. For instance, you are limited to only one track per video. It also lacks any form of royalty free music tracks, and the sound effect leaves much to be desired. You also miss out on any form of pro features like audio ducking and the likes.

If you are looking to produce your audio professionally, you should look further than iMovie. Movavi video editor is a much better option, and it comes with most of the pro-features you will need for your video editing project.

Movavi is compatible with both Windows and Mac. It comes with more features; you can add as many tracks as you want to an audio file, you have a list of royalty-free tracks to pick from, you can add fade in and fade out effects, it even comes with a functional audio equalizer and many more.

The icing on the cake?

All these features are integrated into one easy drag and drop interface that beginners and semi-amateurs will appreciate.

To download the free version of Movavi, use the link below;

Some Useful Tutorials:

Quick and Easy Audio Editing in Filmora

Audio Ducking in Filmora

How to Remove Background Noise

Fade In & Fade Out, Voiceover & More

How to Add SOUND FX to Video!

2. How to Add Background Music, Sound Effects and Voice Over to Videos in iMovie

There are several ways to add audio to your iMovie project on Mac.

Remember you are limited to just one audio track for every video project on iMovie.

#1. Add Background Music

To begin with, you can import music into iMovie. To import an audio file, simply click on the import button that looks like an arrow down symbol:

Choose the media file you want to add in the import media screen window, and then click on Import Selected at the bottom right corner to import.

Next up, click and drag on the music file to add it to your timeline. Place the music on your timeline exactly where you want it to play from.

#2. Add Sound Effects

Apart from background music, you can also add audio effects to your projects too.

On iMovie, simply navigate to the audio tab and then click on Audio:

You will find three options on the left, where you can choose to import from Sound Effects, iTunes or GarageBand.

If you select sound effects, you will be able to select from a variety of available sound effects.

To choose one, simply drag and drop it on your timeline.

#3. Add Voice Over

If you want to add a voice over, head over to your timeline and click on where you want to record a voiceover, a microphone would appear just below the preview window.

Once you click on the mic symbol, a Record button will appear just below the video, and an adjustment button will also appear too. Click on the adjustment button once, and a window will appear:

You can choose the recording volume and the source of the sound.

Click the Record button to record a voice over for your project.

3. How to Completely Control the Volume in Videos in iMovie

Here, you will learn how to fully control the volume in your video project. This includes How you can control a part of the audio in your project at certain stages.

#1. Adjust the Entire Volume on Your Project

On every video on your timeline, you will find that there is a line at the middle. Once you navigate to that line with your mouse, you will find that there is an up and down arrow:

Note: If you can't see the waveforms, head to the View drop-down menu and then choose Show Waveforms.

Once you select and move up, you can adjust the volume by as much as 400% and as low as 0.

#2. Adjust the Volume of Certain Parts of Your Video

In some cases, you only want to adjust the volume of a certain part or parts of your project.

You can accomplish this in two ways:

Method 1. Split the video

On the section you wish to adjust, you can right-click and select Split Clip at the start, and right click and split clip at the end.

Now, you must have separated the particular section of your clip that you want to adjust the volume for.

Method 2: Control the Volume with the R Keyboard Key

Another method you can try is to hold the R key on your keyboard and then simultaneously drag the mouse while left clicking on it. Here, you can control the volume of certain parts of the video.

4. Easiest Way to Detach Audio in iMovie

iMovie automatically keeps parts of the video and audio together, so they are easier to work with.

Although, some occasions may warrant the need for them to be used differently.

To do this, head to your timeline, select the clip and then right click and select Detach Audio.

You will be left with two clips – one with just images and another with just sound.

Detached audio clips can come in handy if you want to extend the audio, so it starts before the video or so that it continues when it ends. You can also take out parts of the audio at certain stages without affecting the video.

5. How to Replace or Remove Audio in iMovie

Once you Detach Audio from video in iMovie, select and right click on it.

A menu will pop up with several options. Use the Delete option to remove audio.

To replace the audio:

Once you take out the original audio, head to the folder where it is stored and then add it your timeline via drag and drop.

6. How to Fade in and Fade out Audio in iMovie

As mentioned above, with iMovie you can adjust the audio in the video.

On every clip, there is a volume that permits you to either increase or reduces the volume level.

The duration of the Fade in and Fade out is automatically set to 0s.

By default the Fade in and Fade out duration is 0s.

To apply the fade in or out effect to your video, simply drag the pointer to the right and then choose a new fade duration period, for example, 5s.

With this, you can add a very short fade effect. This will ensure that the audio is smoother and softer on the ears once a new video starts.

To set a new fade out time, repeat the process as shown above.

Check out a more detailed tutrial here: How to Fade Audio in iMovie

How to Edit Audio in iMovie: The Complete Guide

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Hey, My name is Paul – nice to e-meet you 🙂 I'm a freelance video editor who has over 4 years experiences of making all types of videos. I founded this website to provide step-by-step and easy-to-follow instructions to first-time editors or beginners like you who want to start their journey in video editing.