If you are a content creator, you know how important it is to protect your intellectual property. The same goes for music creators and record labels, whose job is to protect their own and their artists' intellectual property. Therefore, if you use someone else's music in your video for your own gain, you risk your video getting demonetized.
Of course, you want to avoid this, and in this text, we will help you understand how to add copyright-free music to your YouTube Shorts. Stick around for a bonus tip that will improve your workflow significantly.
In this article
How to Upload an Audio File to YouTube with YouTube Studio
Using YouTube's proprietary method of adding music to your videos is the apparent choice here. The process is simple, and we'll guide you every step of the way.
Step 1: Open YouTube on your browser. Click on your Profile Image (top-right corner), and a drop-down menu will appear. Now, click on YouTube Studio.
Step 2: You will be greeted with your YouTube Studio Dashboard. Focus on the left-hand side of the screen and click on Content.
Step 3: You will now see all the videos and shorts you uploaded to your YouTube channel. Click on the YouTube Short where you want to add music, and you will see the Video details page. Click on the Editor tab on the left.
Step 4: You will see the Video editor in the middle of the screen. Now, click on Audio.
Step 5: You will now see the Audio interface, where you can select a song, double-click on it, and add it to your video.
All the audio files you find here are free to use. YouTube has signed contracts with various record labels, and this allows creators to tap into a vast library of songs that they can use without worrying that their video will get demonetized due to a copyright claim.
The problem here is that everyone has access to the same set of audio files. The chances of you and thousands of other creators using the same exact song or sound effect in your videos are pretty high. Well, good news! As we promised at the beginning of the text, we will share a bonus tip with you. You can use Wondershare Filmora, the best video editing tool with audio editing capabilities designed for professionals and amateurs alike.
How to Edit and Add Music to YouTube Shorts with Filmora
The problem on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and many others, is the sheer number of competing creators. That's why, if you want to succeed, you need something that differentiates you from the crowd.
We'll explain how you can use the video editing capabilities of Filmora to first edit your YouTube Short to perfection and then use audio generation and editing capabilities to make something that will amaze your viewers.
Video editing capabilities
Filmora is famous for providing users with professional-grade video editing tools, all packed into a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate interface. We will only introduce a small fraction of features, so be sure to explore the program and discover everything that it has to offer.
As with any other program, the first step is to download and install Filmora. When all this is done, use the knowledge you have gained from that tutorial and import the YouTube Short you would like to work on.
Add effects
Adding effects makes the video multiple times more engaging. Doing this in Filmora is easy. You just need to find the Effects tab in the upper-left side of the interface. Click on that, then browse through the options provided, and drag the one you like to the timeline above your YouTube Short.
Add transitions
If you are making montages or compilations, transitions are a must. In Filmora, you will find the Transitions tab right next to the Effects tab. The process is the same. Find a transition that you like and drag it to the right place in the timeline. Usually, the transition effect goes between two video files.
Everything is clearly explained in the screenshot below.
Add custom elements like stickers
Appealing to a younger audience is always a good thing because the majority of internet users nowadays are young people. Custom elements like stickers can be very fun, and adding them should help you expand your viewership.
To add elements in Filmora, you need to locate the Stickers tab, select the one you like, and drag it to the timeline. Take a look at the screenshot.
Audio generation and editing capabilities
This software offers useful AI features that can help you generate music that is not subject to any form of copyright claim. You can generate background music or make a new song.
Use Filmora's massive library of royalty-free music
If you click on the Audio tab, you will be introduced to several songs that you can use for free. Just make sure to select Commercial in the search filter. Consider the screenshot for more information.
Generate background music
Filmora offers a feature called Smart BGM Generation. Follow these steps to activate this feature.
Step 1: Click on the BGM icon shown in the screenshot below, right above the video timeline.
Step 2: When a new window appears, click the Create button.
The software will analyze your video and provide you with background music, which you can edit further. You will see the audio file in the timeline. Check the screenshot below for more details.
Generate songs
Background music works for certain types of videos where you have a person talking or explaining something. For other types of videos, you might need to add a song that will compliment the tone of the video.
For this purpose, you can use Filmora's AI Music Generator. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Click on the Audio tab on the top left, then click on AI Music on the left, and just click on Start. Everything is shown in the screenshot below.
Step 2: A new window will appear where you can customize your song by selecting the appropriate Mood, Theme, and Genre, selecting the adequate tempo, and adjusting the total length of the song. When you are done, click on Start.
Step 3: When Filmora is finished, you can listen to the generated songs and download the ones you like by clicking the Download button next to the song. Check the image below to see where it is.
When you have an audio file that is suitable for your video, you might still need to tweak it a bit. That's where Filmora's audio editing capabilities shine.
Add fade-ins and fade-outs
In some instances, in terms of audio, it is not advisable to start your video loudly and end it abruptly. Adding a small fade-in at the beginning and a fade-out at the end will improve the quality of the entire video.
To do this in Filmora, you just need to locate the markers in the timeline and drag them left or right to apply the effect. The screenshot below explains it well.
Normalize audio
Auto Normalization ensures that the audio sounds good on all devices. To achieve this in Filmora, simply click on the audio or video file you want to normalize, then go to Tools > Audio > Adjust Audio. You will see the Auto Normalization option.
Just wait for the software to finish and review the results after the process is complete.
Conclusion
As you can see, adding royalty-free music to your YouTube Shorts is not as challenging as you might have thought. While doing this using YouTube Studio is a fine approach, using Filmora is a much better alternative, as you can edit your video and add original audio to it all in one place.
It is so much better for your workflow if you can finish everything in one sitting and move on to the next important task swiftly. You'll end up making more videos than you thought!
