How to Use a Music Library to Score a Film

A music soundtrack can be used to add mood, emphasis, or other dramatic effects to a movie. Music can be added from several formats, such as an audio CD. One of the easiest ways to do so is to add music files from the library on the computer. Film editing software can also be used to edit music to the proper length, adjust sound volume, and to smooth out transitions. In addition, many types of film editing software can also add special effects to the music.

Some types of software, such as iMovie, can be linked to corresponding software. iMovie can link itself to iTunes software to give easier access to the userâ€™s music library. When these two pieces of software are combined, all of the iTunes music can now be accessed from iMovie, including specific playlists created. iMovie even has a specific iTunes search feature, making the music files more accessible; one can even search according to genre, not just by file name. On the other hand, some media players not specifically designed for video editing will allow importing the film and adding a music soundtrack there. Garage Band 3 is one such program; just open the movie, watch it, and score the project using the music library.

The majority of film editing programs work largely the same way. Most have a specific feature that allows one to import sound and place it on a timeline below the film clips and other effects. Like iMovie, there is typically some sort of search feature which allows importing the desired music file into the editing program. Then, the sound clip can now be moved to a desired point on the timeline. Once the sound has been edited, it can be moved around to other places on the timeline in case the user changed preferences.

Specific clips can be selected, and even get more focused and select specific points in a clip. After selecting specific aspects of the music, the various tools available can be used (these vary from program to program) to add special effects. Many effects, such as fade ins and fade outs, come standard from program to program. However, more complex effects can often be purchased from a sound library for the computer.

Clips can also be muted to test whether or not they really fit with the rest of the piece. With some programs, a piece of music can be attached to a specific point in the film so that it cannot be moved. This means it, and any effects used with the specific music, will stay synchronized with a particular point in the film, regardless of how the other files are moved. However, a user typically cannot edit the sound that is already included on within the video files. While keystrokes and commands may vary from program to program, these features are consistent across programs.

Most types of editing software will also allow previewing the film as it would appear when finalized in order to determine whether or not the music and effects work with the video clips.