Here are some tips for Editing Videos to the Beat of the Music.
Editing videos to the rhythm of music can be a significant challenge, but it’s possible to achieve by following some basic tips. By adopting certain practices, your editing process can become much simpler, and the final quality could be greatly improved.
For this reason, we’re here to provide you with some tips to simplify your music-aligned video editing. It may seem like a laborious task, but the process can be accomplished without major difficulties, as long as you practice to better understand the program you’re using.
In any case, don’t miss out on the following article to learn some tips on how to edit videos to the beat of the music!
Choose the Music According to Your Goal
Our first tip for editing videos to the beat of the music is to select your soundtrack based on your objective. Depending on what you aim to convey with your video combined with the music, the choice can vary significantly.
If the goal is to create something more dynamic with quick, successive cuts, we recommend choosing an upbeat song. Various music genres could fit the bill here, and it depends on your preference.
There are pop, rap, and rock songs that feature interesting rhythms suitable for video edits. As we mentioned, the choice depends on the editor’s taste, but the selection of the soundtrack significantly influences the final outcome, so choose wisely.
In any case, before choosing your music, don’t forget to use soundtracks that are free of copyright. This ensures that your video doesn’t lose its monetization, should it be posted on YouTube, for example.
If you’re unsure where to download free soundtracks, here are a few suggestions:
- Bensound;
- Free Soundtrack Music;
- Audio Jungle;
- Incompetech;
- Free Music Archive;
- Freesound;
- SoundsCrate.
By using a non-copyrighted soundtrack, you’re not only preventing the loss of monetization, but you’re also legally protecting yourself. This is because the owner of the music in question might seek to take advantage of such situations.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you use a soundtrack that doesn’t include copyrighted material. However, if you wish to use copyrighted music, don’t hesitate to contact the owners to negotiate usage rights.
In many instances, composers allow their music to be used without issues, as it also benefits them. However, just to be on the safe side, make sure to request this and document the entire process for your protection.
Identify the Strongest Beats and Mark Them
After choosing the music to be used in the edit, it’s time to start using a video editing program. Here, your preference and familiarity will dictate which program you use to achieve the best possible result.
However, when it comes to the features that will be used, they all operate in a very similar manner. Therefore, anything stated here will apply regardless of the program used.
Once you’ve selected the music, it’s time to open your video and chosen soundtrack. In Adobe Premiere, to import sound files, you can simply press CTRL + I (i) keys to simplify the process.
After selecting the file, it’s time to open your soundtrack, where you’ll be able to identify beats. Our tip is to use a musical instrument as a basis to make changes in rhythm when the beat is noted.
In a rap song, for example, there are often recurring beats that could serve as a basis. When you zoom in on an audio file, you can identify points where the track expands the most, and this is precisely where the beats occur.
To make it easier to edit in time with the music, we recommend marking all the places where this happens. To do this, simply press the “M” key on your keyboard, which will allow you to save markers.
If you’re not using Premiere, don’t worry; this shortcut is the same in the majority of programs. In any case, by identifying the beats and marking them, it becomes much easier to know the best moments to put your creativity into practice.
Pay Special Attention to the End of the Edit
Our final tip for editing videos to the beat of the music pertains to the end, a point where many editors are uncertain about what to do. This is because in many cases, the recorded footage ends before the music, leaving many editors at a loss.
However, concluding the video as soon as the footage ends is not necessarily a negative thing and can, in fact, distinguish your edit from others. To achieve this, simply cut the music where you see fit and add an audio transition so that the sound gradually diminishes to avoid an abrupt cut-off.
Furthermore, make sure to review your edit before uploading or posting it online, just to be sure. It’s crucial to check for unnoticed mistakes to ensure that the quality of your edit truly meets expectations.
It’s common for some details to have been overlooked, which is why rewatching is important. Delivering a final product without errors is a distinguishing trait that few video editors in the market can boast.
Once you’ve finished your work, it’s time to export it for others to view. At this point, present your edit and make any requested adjustments if you were hired for the job.
In any case, always remember to choose your music in line with your goals to ensure a good edit. Additionally, always use soundtracks with clear audio to guarantee a good experience for those consuming your content.
In conclusion, as we’ve seen, editing a video to the beat of the music isn’t as complicated as it seems. We’ve reached the end of this article, but for more editing tips for your work, be sure to visit our blog to read other articles!
What are the main considerations when selecting music for my video edits?
The music should align with the objective of your video. Consider the mood, pacing, and genre, and always use copyright-free music to avoid legal issues.
How can I sync my video edits with the beat of the music?
Identify the strongest beats in the music track and mark them in your editing software. You can then sync your video edits with these marked beats.
What is the best way to end a video that has been edited to the beat of the music?
If your footage ends before the music does, simply cut the music where it suits best and add an audio transition for a gradual fade-out, avoiding abrupt cutoffs.
What should I do after finishing the editing process?
Always rewatch your edited video to check for any missed errors and ensure the quality of your edit. After this, you can proceed to export the video.
Where can I find more tips for editing videos to the beat of music?
You can find additional tips and guidance on our blog, which contains various articles on video editing techniques.