How to Add Music to Adobe Premiere Pro: Simple & Complete Guide (2024)

In this complete beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to import, organize, and add music to Adobe Premiere Pro—from scratch. Whether you're working on a YouTube video, a short film, or a corporate piece, this tutorial will give you everything you need to start adding audio like a pro.

Step 1: Get Your Music File Ready

Before importing music into Premiere Pro, ensure the audio file:

• Is in a supported format: .mp3, .wav, or .aiff
• Has a decent audio bitrate (192 kbps or higher is preferred for MP3)
• Is royalty-free or properly licensed if used publicly or commercially

⚠️ Important: Avoid downloading music from random sources—use trusted libraries to prevent copyright claims (see resource list below).

Step 2: Import Music into Premiere Pro

There are two easy ways to import your music into Premiere Pro:

Option A: File Menu

1. Open your Premiere Pro project
2. Go to the top menu bar
3. Click File > Import
4. Select your audio file
5. Click Open

Your music will now appear in the Project panel.

Option B: Drag and Drop

If you already have the file in a folder:

1. Open your Project panel in Premiere Pro
2. Open the folder on your computer
3. Drag the music file directly into the Project panel

✅ This method is faster for those working with multiple files or assets.

Step 3: Organize Music in Your Project

Once imported, keep your workspace clean and structured:

• Create a dedicated “Audio” or “Music” bin (folder) in the Project panel
• Store all your background tracks, sound design, or music loops here
• Use meaningful file names like intro_theme.wav or uplifting_background.mp3

This helps when working on large projects with many assets, and it improves collaboration if you're working in a team.

Step 4: Add Music to Your Timeline

Now that your file is ready and imported, it’s time to add the music to your sequence:

1. Click and drag the music file from the Project panel to the Timeline panel
2. Drop it onto an empty audio track (like A1 or A2)
3. If needed, zoom in with + and align the start of the music with your video

💡 Premiere Pro automatically creates an audio track if none are available.

You can now press Spacebar to preview your video with music included.

Step 5: Adjust Music Levels and Placement

Even if you’re not editing the sound creatively yet, here are a few simple things you might want to do:

• Trim the music using the Selection Tool (V) or Razor Tool (C)
• Move the clip along the timeline for better placement
• Duplicate the clip if you want it to play again later
• Mute or solo tracks using the M and S buttons on the left of each track

This gives you basic control over how your music interacts with the rest of your content.

Trusted Sources for Royalty-Free Music

If you’re looking for music to add, here are the best platforms trusted by professional editors:

✅ These sites provide a wide range of genres and moods—from cinematic to corporate to chill lo-fi beats.

Why Add Music in Premiere Pro?

Adding background music in Premiere Pro does more than fill silence—it adds life. Whether it’s ambient background music, cinematic soundtracks, or upbeat tracks for social content, music can:

• Reinforce the emotional tone of your video
• Make pacing feel more dynamic
• Help hold your viewer’s attention
• Improve the overall quality and polish of your edit

But before you get creative, you need to know how to properly import and manage music files inside Premiere Pro.

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FAQ Adding Music to Adobe Premiere Pro

What audio formats does Premiere Pro support?

Premiere Pro supports MP3, WAV, AIFF, and AAC among others. WAV files are preferred for best quality and compatibility.

Why can’t I hear the music in Premiere Pro?

Check the following:

• The audio track is not muted
• Your computer’s playback device is correctly selected
• Your clip's volume is not keyframed to zero
• The clip is placed in a visible audio track (A1, A2, etc.)

Can I use copyrighted music in Premiere Pro?

You can import any file, but to publish or share your video, you need proper licensing. Use royalty-free tracks or services like Epidemic Sound or YouTube Audio Library.