Have you ever heard a podcast or watched a video where the background music fades away when someone starts talking? That's called audio ducking. Even if you haven't heard of this term before, it's a handy tool for making your videos sound great.
So obviously, learning how to use this cool tool can really help you make your videos sound awesome and make you a better content creator. In this article, we'll explain what audio ducking is, why it's so helpful, and how you can use it to make your videos even better.
We'll guide you through the best times to use it, how to set it up in Filmora and give you some tips to make sure you're using it like a pro.
In this article
Part 1. Ducking Audio Explained: What It Is and Why You Need It
Simply put, audio ducking is like turning down the background music when someone is talking so you can hear them better. For example, imagine you're watching a travel video where the person is telling a story. When they start talking, the music in the background gets quieter so you can hear their voice clearly. When they stop talking, the music gets louder again.
That's what audio ducking is about, making sure you always hear what's important without the music getting in the way. It's super helpful, and here's why you might want to use it:
- Clear Voices: Audio ducking makes sure you can hear important talking clearly, even if there's music or other background sounds. It keeps the music from being too loud.
- Better Quality: It makes your video or podcast sound more professional and smooth. It helps balance the sound so everything sounds just right.
- Keep Attention: It helps people focus on the main part of your video or audio, so they don't miss any important details because of the background noise.
Automatically lower the volume of one track to make another track clearer when you're recording voiceovers.
Part 2. When Should You Use Audio Ducking?
As you can already see, knowing when to use audio ducking can really help your videos or podcasts sound better. It's a cool tool, but it works best in certain situations. In this part, we'll look at the best times to use audio ducking so your content always sounds great. Here are some situations when audio ducking is especially useful:
1. Cooking Shows
When the chef talks about a recipe, you can use audio ducking to make the background music quieter so you can hear what they're saying. For example, if they're explaining how to make a cake, the music will get softer so you can catch every step.
2. Product Reviews
When someone is reviewing a product, you can use audio ducking to help their voice stand out over any background noise. For instance, if they're talking about a new toy, you'll hear their thoughts clearly without the background sounds getting in the way.
3. Online Classes
In a video lesson, audio ducking makes sure you can hear the teacher's voice clearly, even if there's soft music playing. For example, if the teacher is explaining a math problem, you'll understand their instructions without the music being distracting.
4. DIY Projects
When showing how to make something, audio ducking can help you hear the instructions clearly over any background sounds. For example, if you're learning how to build a birdhouse, you'll hear each step even if there's a fan running in the background.
5. Podcast Videos
In podcasts, audio ducking makes sure you can hear the speakers clearly, even if there's background music or noise. For example, during an interview on a podcast, the conversation will be easy to hear without the background music being too loud.
Part 3. How to Implement Audio Ducking with Filmora
Now that you understand what audio ducking is and the various ways it can be applied to improve your videos, it's time to put this knowledge into practice. And when it comes to using audio ducking effectively, Wondershare Filmora is one of the top options.
Filmora makes audio ducking easy and effective with its simple features. The Audio Ducking tool automatically turns down the background music or sounds whenever someone is talking and then turns it back up when they're done. This is great for things like voiceovers, narrations, podcasts, and more. It helps your videos sound clear and professional, making them more interesting for your audience. It's perfect for anyone looking to make their content stand out!
Even better, Filmora provides other advanced features that are helpful and relevant in audio ducking, including:
- AI Audio Denoise: Automatically removes background noise for clearer audio.
- Auto Synchronization: Quickly aligns audio and video tracks.
- Auto Beat Sync: Syncs video edits to the rhythm of the music.
- Silence Detection: Identifies and removes silent sections from audio clips.
What's great is that Filmora is budget-friendly, with different plans to choose from. You can even test it for free with a trial version. Now, let's jump into how to use audio ducking in Filmora step-by-step, so you can make your videos sound even better and more exciting for your audience!
Step 1. Launch Filmora and import your video
If you haven't installed Wondershare Filmora yet, you can download and install the latest version. Follow the installation steps, and after it's set up, open the program. Start a new project, import your video, as well as background audio clips. After that, drag and drop them onto the editing timeline to get started.
Step 2. Trim the section of the video where you want to use the audio ducking effect
Position the red line at the beginning of the section you want to cut, then click the Cut (Scissors) icon. Move the red line to the end of the section and click the Cut icon again. You'll now have a separate clip where you can apply the audio ducking effect.
Step 3. Apply audio ducking
Next, right-click the clip where you want the voice to be clear and select "Adjust Audio”.
In the window that opens, you'll see the default ducking value set to 50%. Enable the tool and you can increase this value as needed. You can also adjust the volume of other clips by moving the slider. Once you're finished adjusting the settings and done editing, simply click the "Export" button in the top-right corner of your screen to save your project.
Related Topic
How To Enhance Audio Using AI Speech Enhancers >>
Advanced Audio Editing >>
Part 4. Tips for Effective Audio Ducking
Once you've learned how to use audio ducking in Filmora, you might think you're all set. But mastering audio ducking is more than just knowing the steps—it also involves a bit of skill and practice. To get the best results and really make your videos shine, here are some tips to help you use audio ducking like a pro.
- Set the Right Threshold
Make sure the background noise only fades when it's supposed to. If the level is too high, it won't duck when you want it to. If it's too low, it might duck too often. Find the sweet spot where it only ducks when there's important talking.
- Fine-Tune the Attack and Release Times
The attack time is how quickly the background sound lowers when someone starts talking. The release time is how slowly it comes back up when the talking stops. Set these times so the change sounds smooth and not too sudden.
- Combine with Equalization
You can use EQ (equalization) to make sure the speech is clear. For example, you can lower some of the bass in the background music so it doesn't drown out the talking. This helps the main sound stand out more.
- Apply Ducking to Multiple Tracks
If your video has more than one background sound, like different music tracks, use ducking on each one. This way, all background sounds fade when someone is talking.
- Keep Background Audio Balanced
Make sure the background sound isn't too loud or too quiet. When audio ducking happens, the background should be just right—not too overpowering and not too weak.
Conclusion
Audio ducking is a powerful tool for making your videos sound better, whether you're working on interviews, podcasts, or other projects. And so, this article has covered everything you need to know about audio ducking, from its definition and benefits to practical tips for using it effectively.
Among other video editing software, Wondershare Filmora is an excellent choice for implementing audio ducking, thanks to its easy-to-use features. With its Audio Ducking tool, you can automatically lower background music or sounds when someone is speaking and raise it back up when they're finished.
Along with other standout features like AI Audio Denoise and Auto Synchronization, Filmora is perfect for anyone who wants to make their videos really stand out!
FAQ
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Why should I use audio ducking in my videos?
Audio ducking helps make sure that the most important sounds, like people talking, are easy to hear. It makes the background music or noise quieter when someone is speaking so that you can hear them clearly. This makes your videos sound better and helps people understand what's being said without any distractions. -
Is there a way to adjust how much the background audio is lowered?
Yes, you can control how much the background audio gets turned down. Most editing programs like Filmora let you adjust how much quieter the background music or noise becomes when someone is talking. You can set it just right so that the background sound isn't too loud or too soft. -
Can I try audio ducking for free?
Yes, you can try audio ducking for free! Many video editing apps like Filmora offer free trials or basic versions with audio ducking features. You can use Filmora's free options to practice and see how it works before deciding if you want to buy the full version.
