How to Edit Audio in iMovie on Mac

We all know that poor audio quality can be very distracting when watching a video. To fix this in iMovie, simply go to the editor toolbar in the viewer and choose from various audio controls, like volume, speed, and noise reduction. By adjusting these settings, it can help improve the audio quality and enhance the overall viewing experience.

Hi! My name is Nancy, and I’ve always enjoyed creating videos in iMovie because it’s super easy to use and it’s beginner friendly. 

In this article, I’ll share some great tips for editing your audio clips and guide you through the use of all the audio tools available in iMovie. 

How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie

There are various audio controls and settings to try when it comes to editing your audio. If your video includes multiple audio tracks, you’ll likely need to trim or split the clips into the specific parts you want. Once you do this you can reposition the audio clips on the timeline to ensure that it spans the entire video.

Remember that you have the option to edit individual audio clips or choose a particular section within the clip. To select a specific range, hold down the R key while dragging across the desired portion of the clip in the timeline. This action will result in a yellow border appearing around the selected range.

Next, let’s take a closer look at the audio controls located in the editing toolbar, which allow you to customize your audio clips. 

Adjust the Volume

The volume control is perhaps the most frequently used tool for adjusting audio clips. By using the Volume controls, you can manually adjust the volume of video clips and modify the ducking volume of background music. The ducking function lowers the volume of background music clips so that it doesn’t overshadow the main video’s.

Change the Speed

The Speed controls allow you to modify your clip’s speed, generate a freeze frame of a specific section, reverse the audio, or preserve the pitch of the original audio. The controls for each speed option are straightforward to adjust. These speed controls are excellent to use if you want to create something unique with your audio tracks.

Reduce the Noise and Equalizer

The Noise Reduction and Equalizer controls allow you to reduce the background noise in a clip without reducing its overall volume. You can also choose from a range of equalizer presets to enhance or reduce the audio, such as the voice, bass, and treble.

Add Audio Effects and Sound Effects

To add more depth into your audio clip, you can use an audio effect. The Clip Filter and Audio Effects tab contains a collection of audio effects. Click on the Audio Effect bar and select from the list of effects.

You can also access the free sound effects in the Audio and Video tab from the browser. The sound effects are categorized into various folders based on their theme, such as textures, booms, and jingles.

You can learn more about how to add music to iMovie on Mac.

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions relating to editing music in iMovie.

How Do I Trim and Split Music in iMovie?

To trim the length of a music clip, you can drag either end of the clip towards the center. You can split a music clip by placing the playhead on the clip and using the keyboard shortcut Command + B.

Can You Separate Audio from Video in iMovie?

You can detach audio from a video clip in iMovie by right-clicking on the clip and selecting “Detach Audio” from the dropdown menu.

Final Thoughts

Having poor audio quality can greatly impact the success of your video. By editing your audio, you can eliminate background noise, adjust volume levels, and improve clarity. High-quality audio is an essential component of a professional video, and editing your audio is a critical step in achieving that level of quality.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any further questions about iMovie or would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!

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