How to balance music with spoken video content

Use music to support the mood while keeping words intelligible and important natural sounds recognizable.

Start with a clear direction

Identify where speech begins and ends, then describe the intended balance. Keep a product sound or crowd reaction when it contributes to the story.

Put it into your edit

Upload your clips to Shorty and describe the result you want. Add a reference if it helps show the pace or visual treatment. Play the first cut, then use chat to shape the next version.

An instruction to make your own

Use this direction for my video: Identify where speech begins and ends, then describe the intended balance. Keep a product sound or crowd reaction when it contributes to the story. Listen on ordinary speakers and headphones. A mix that sounds clear on one device may hide words on another.

Check the detail that matters

Listen on ordinary speakers and headphones. A mix that sounds clear on one device may hide words on another.

Keep the next change focused

Name the moment, say what should change and describe what you want to keep. For a title, supply the replacement words. For pacing, identify the shot that needs more or less time. Play the surrounding sequence after the revision to hear and see how the change fits.

Questions, answered.

How do I apply this in Shorty?

Upload your clips to Shorty and describe the result you want. Add a reference if it helps show the pace or visual treatment. Play the first cut, then use chat to shape the next version.

What should I look for in the result?

Listen on ordinary speakers and headphones. A mix that sounds clear on one device may hide words on another.

Your next video starts here.

Bring the footage. Tell us the idea. Shape the edit.

Start editing