How do I add audio to a video on Android?

Adding audio to videos on Android devices can elevate the production value and increase engagement. With the right tools, it’s relatively straightforward to import audio files and align them to your video timeline. In this guide, we’ll provide a brief overview of the different methods for adding background music, voiceovers, sound effects or other audio to videos on an Android device.

Prerequisites

Before you can add audio to a video on Android, there are a few prerequisites you’ll need to check:

Android Version

Most Android devices running Android 4.1 or later support adding audio tracks to video (1). For best results, use Android 6.0 Marshmallow or newer.

Apps

You’ll need a video editing app that supports importing audio and aligning it to video. Some options include:

Adobe Premiere Rush
PowerDirector

KineMaster
InShot

Many of these have free versions with limited features and paid pro versions. Check each app’s capabilities before deciding which one to use.

Add Audio Track in Video Editor

Most Android devices come with a pre-installed video editing app that allows you to add audio tracks to videos. Here are the general steps to add audio in the video editor app on your Android device:

1. Open the video editor app on your phone, such as Video Editor, VideoShow, VivaVideo, Quik, or other options. These apps allow combining videos, photos, audio, effects and more.

2. Tap on “New project” or the plus icon to start a new project. Select the video clip you want to add audio to.

3. Tap on “Audio” or look for the music icon. This will open up your audio and music files. Choose the song, audio clip or recording you want to add.

4. The audio track will be added to the timeline. You can tap and drag the audio to align it with the video.

5. Trim the audio clip if needed so it matches the video length. Use the edit tools to cut, split or adjust the audio.

6. When done, tap the export or share icon to save your video with the new audio track.

The pre-installed video editor makes it easy to quickly add background music, narration, sound effects or other audio to videos on your Android device.

Import Media Files

To add audio to a video in Android’s built-in video editor, you first need to import the media files you want to use into the editor. This includes both the original video clip as well as any audio files you want to add as a soundtrack. Here are the steps to import media:

Open the video editor app on your Android device. Tap the “Import” button. This will allow you to browse and select video clips and audio files from your phone’s storage. You can import videos from your camera recordings, downloads folder, or any other folder.

For audio, you can import music files, podcasts, audio recordings – anything in common formats like MP3, WAV, M4A, etc. Select all the media clips you want to import. The app will begin loading the files. Large video and audio assets may take a few minutes to import before you can use them in the project timeline.

Once the import is complete, you will see the video and audio clips appear in the media library. You can now drag and drop them onto the editor’s timeline to begin constructing your video. Trim, reorder or delete clips as needed to assemble the base video. Now you are ready to overlay the audio track.

Align Audio Track

Once you have imported your separate audio and video files into your video editor, the next step is to align the audio track with the video timeline. This ensures that the audio syncs properly with the visuals. Start by placing your audio clip on the timeline below your video clip. You may need to stretch or compress the audio clip so it matches the length of the video.

Pay close attention to clear speech patterns or dramatic audio cues in the footage. These visual and audio sync points will help you accurately line up the start and end points of the clips. Slowly slide the audio file earlier or later on the timeline until any lip movements or dramatic audio perfectly matches the video.

Zooming in on the timeline can help you make precise adjustments to get the audio in sync. Preview the aligned footage multiple times to double check the accuracy of the sync. Even being off by a couple frames can make the final video feel out of sync. Perfectly lined up audio will take your video production to the next level!

Export Final Video

Once you have finished editing your video and aligning the audio track, the next step is to export the final video file with the audio included. Here are some tips for rendering and exporting the final video:

Choose the right export settings – Most video editors will have export setting presets for common formats like MP4. Select a preset that matches the resolution and quality you want for your final video. MP4 is a good format for sharing online.

Check the audio codec – When choosing export settings, pay attention to the audio codec selected. AAC is a good codec choice for combining audio and video in an MP4. Make sure the codec matches how you want the audio to sound.

Pick output quality – A higher output quality means a larger file size but better overall quality. Find the right balance for your needs. 1080p is a common HD output resolution.

Include audio track – Make sure the export settings have your audio track selected to be included in the final render. The audio should render with the video into a single file.

Rendering time – Expect rendering and exporting to take some time, especially for longer or high resolution videos. The process may take a while.

Use Third-Party Apps

For more advanced audio editing and synchronization, using third-party video editing apps can give you more control and options. Some of the top apps for adding audio on Android include:

PowerDirector – This full-featured video editor makes it easy to add audio tracks, adjust volume levels, and sync timing between video and audio.

KineMaster – Popular paid app with advanced timeline editing tools to precisely align audio and trim clips. Supports multiple audio tracks.

Adobe Premiere Rush – Create professional-level videos with audio dubbing, volume envelope control, and audio effects like normalization.

FilmoraGo – Intuitive editing interface to layer in music and sound effects. Auto beat sync feature makes it easy to match audio tempo to video.

These apps give you frame-by-frame timing adjustment between audio and video tracks for perfect synchronization. They also include audio cleanup tools like noise reduction for clear sound.

Common Issues

Adding audio to video on Android can sometimes lead to issues like audio sync problems or poor audio quality. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common problems:

Fixing Audio Sync Issues

If the audio track seems out of sync with the video, try these fixes:

Check that the original audio and video files match up correctly. If they were recorded separately, their timing may be off.

In the video editor, detach the audio, delete it, and re-import it. Make sure it lines up with the video properly.
Trim the start or end points of the audio clip slightly to realign it.
Use the video editor’s tools to shift the audio forward or back incrementally until it syncs up.

Improving Audio Quality

For low audio quality like static or muffling, try these troubleshooting steps:

Ensure the original audio file is high quality, such as a lossless format like WAV.
Avoid compressing the audio track during import or export.

Adjust audio effects like normalization or limiting to boost the volume.
If using the microphone, record in a quiet environment and speak close to the mic.

With some trial and error, you should be able to resolve any audio issues that arise.

Improve Overall Quality

There are several tips for improving both the audio and video quality when adding audio tracks to videos on Android devices:

For audio quality, use an external microphone if possible, rather than relying on the built-in microphone on your phone. External mics typically capture much higher quality audio with less background noise. Choose a microphone designed for video recording such as a lavalier mic.

Record in a quiet environment without background noises. If necessary, use props like blankets to dampen echo and reverberation when recording indoors.

During editing, use audio effects like normalization, compression, or equalization to enhance the sound. The Volume Booster & Bass Booster app for Android offers various effects.

For video quality, record at the highest resolution and frame rate supported by your device. Newer phones can record 4K or 1080p video at 60fps. Reduce shakiness by using a tripod or smartphone gimbal.

Ensure you have sufficient lighting, especially if recording indoors. Position lamps, reflectors or other light sources to brightly illuminate the subjects without harsh shadows or glare.

Do test recordings first and monitor the playback quality. Make adjustments to your setup and technique until both the audio and video meet your standards before recording the final footage.

Conclusion

Adding audio to videos on Android devices can elevate your content and engage your audience. By using the built-in video editor, third-party apps, or PC software, you can overlay music, narration, sound effects, and more. The key steps are importing media files, aligning the audio track, adjusting audio levels, and exporting the final video.

In summary, start by having your video and audio files readily available. Use an app like InShot or KineMaster for simplicity, or more advanced software like Adobe Premiere Pro for more editing options. Align the audio track to the video playback. Check the audio levels, and avoid peaking. Finally, export the video in a suitable format and resolution for your needs.

With the right tools and techniques, you can take your Android videos to the next level with customized audio. Pay close attention to audio quality and how the sound complements the visuals. The improved production value will resonate with your viewers.