Why Music and Sound Matter in Video

Read Time: 3 minutes

Music and sound shape how a video feels and how clearly it communicates. While visuals explain what is happening, audio guides how viewers interpret and remember what they see.

In explainer videos, training content, and social clips, sound helps set tone, reinforce meaning, and maintain attention. Used intentionally, audio turns motion into a coherent experience rather than a sequence of visuals.

How Music and Sound Support Communication

Music Sets the Emotional Context

Music signals emotion quickly. A calm track suggests clarity and confidence, while faster rhythms can signal urgency or excitement. Choosing the right music helps viewers emotionally align with your message before they consciously process the visuals.

Sound Effects Clarify Actions

Sound effects reinforce moments that matter. Subtle cues for transitions, interactions, or key events help viewers follow what is happening without adding visual clutter. When used sparingly, sound effects improve comprehension rather than distract from it.

How to Add Music and Sound to a Video

Step 1 – Choose Your Audio

Start by selecting the type of audio your video needs. This can include background music, sound effects, voiceovers, or a combination of all three.

In Powtoon, creators can:

Choose tracks from a built-in music and sound effects library
Upload original audio files
Use recorded or generated voiceovers

Previewing audio before adding it helps ensure it fits the tone and pacing of the video.

Step 2 – Place and Time the Audio

Once selected, decide whether audio should run across the entire video or only within specific scenes. Timing matters. Audio should start and end in a way that feels intentional and supports visual transitions.

Powtoon allows audio to be added to individual scenes or the full project, with timing adjustments available directly in the audio panel.

Step 3 – Upload and Reuse Your Own Files

If you are using original music or custom sound effects, upload them through the audio upload option. Uploaded files are saved to your personal library so they can be reused across future videos, helping maintain consistency.

Tips for Better Audio Decisions

Match mood to message – Choose audio that supports the purpose of the video
Be audience aware – Consider where and how viewers will watch
Balance audio levels – Ensure music and effects never overpower speech
Choose audio early – Selecting sound before final edits helps pace visuals naturally

These practices help audio feel integrated rather than layered on at the end.

Q&A: Music and Sound for Video Creation

Q – Why should I add music to my video?
Music sets emotional tone, supports narrative flow, and helps content feel intentional rather than static. It often improves viewer engagement and retention.

Q – When should sound effects be used?
Sound effects work best when reinforcing actions, transitions, or emphasis points. They should support understanding, not draw attention to themselves.

Q – Can I use my own music files?
Yes. Most video tools, including Powtoon, allow creators to upload and reuse original audio files alongside stock tracks.

Q – How do I keep audio balanced?
Adjust volume levels so voiceovers remain clear and music or effects stay supportive rather than dominant.

Expert Insight

“Audio is where meaning settles. When sound and visuals are aligned, viewers understand faster and remember longer,” says Powtoon’s Head of Product.

Final Thought

Music and sound are not finishing touches. They are part of how a video communicates.

By choosing audio intentionally and integrating it early in the process, teams can transform simple animations into experiences that feel clear, engaging, and complete. With Powtoon, adding and managing audio becomes part of a structured workflow rather than a last-minute task.

Bio
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Hanna Abitbul

Hanna is Powtoon's Product Marketing Manager. She joined Powtoon as a copywriter in 2019, transitioning through strategic content marketing before moving into her current role, where she owns go-to-market, product positioning, and messaging. She works across teams to bridge product development with sales and marketing, ensuring Powtoon's products resonate with their audience and serve their needs. She continues to create content that helps people make incredible videos - from blog posts to guides, website pages, and more. Hanna holds a B.A. in Communications and Business from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), and has over 7 years of experience in the industry. Outside of work, she loves reading, singing, pilates, and caring for animals (#proudvegan). Nothing makes her happier than waking up to her two black kitties (plus, one grey) who, contrary to popular belief, are fabulous luck!