When first starting in video editing, or content creation for that matter, iMovie is one of the best video editing software options available. Not only is it quite easy to use, but it also offers a decent range of video and audio features that can be a great way for novices to start learning the basics of digital video editing.
However, for many, the best part of iMovie is its price. Free and already installed on Mac computers, iPhones, and iPads, iMovie is really just there for you. However, while it may be convenient and easy, there are still a few aspects of working with iMovie that might be confusing for newer video editors.
The question of what music to use in your iMovie edits typically arises quite early. Music plays a significant role in any type of film, video, or piece of content. However, finding, licensing, and using music correctly in your edits can be a confusing process.
To help you with your iMovie editing journey, let’s go over some basic background tips as well as provide you with some high-quality royalty free music for iMovie projects.
Getting started with iMovie
As mentioned above, iMovie has been a staple of the Mac video editing experience for quite a while now. Initially released in 1999 for Mac OS 8 and later expanded to edit videos on iPhone with the first iOS version in 2010, iMovie remains an easy-to-use video editing option that’s always available and ready for you.
Yet, despite its ease, it’s not 100% intuitive. There are a few aspects that might take some getting used to. There are also several different versions of iMovie available these days, including one for Mac desktop and laptop users, another for iPhones, and a third for iPads.
To help you get started with iMovie, Apple offers a robust ecosystem of tutorials and articles that outline everything from creating a movie with style to adding video effects. You can review the full library of helpful iMovie materials on Apple’s website here.
10 top tracks of royalty free music for iMovie
And while we’ll explore some more helpful tips, tricks, and resources to help you learn everything about working with iMovie, let’s not beat around the bush here. Finding, licensing, and using music in iMovie is the real mystery for many just starting out. To help you right away, we’ve done the legwork for you and selected ten of the best tracks of royalty free music for iMovie edits.
These tracks all come from the Soundstripe music library. They are tailored and curated to be used for all types of films and projects, as well as fully licensed for you to use anywhere with complete protection against copyright strikes, takedowns, or notices. (We’ll explore more about these subjects below.)
For now, let’s check out some tunes.
- Description: A high-energy, electronic song best described as happy and fun. Synth and percussion are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 170
- Key: F Minor
- Listen and license here.
- Description: A high-energy, electronic song best described as fun and happy. Drums and electronic drums are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 120
- Key: A Minor
- Listen and license here.
- Description: A high-energy, classical song best described as inspiring and reflective. Synths and strings are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 118
- Key: Bb/A# Major
- Listen and license here.
4. Adventurous Spirit Reveille
- Description: A medium-energy, acoustic song best described as hopeful and inspiring. Guitar and acoustic guitar are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 114
- Key: A Major
- Listen and license here.
- Description: A medium-energy rock song best described as fun and happy. The guitar and electric guitar are the primary instruments on this track.
- BPM: 152
- Key: A Major
- Listen and license here.
- Description: A medium-energy, score song best described as hopeful and inspiring. Piano and synth are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 100
- Key: C Minor
- Listen and license here.
7. The Great Beyond by Moments
- Description: A low-energy, score song best described as hopeful and inspiring. Strings and ambient tones are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 160
- Key: A Major
- Listen and license here.
- Description: A low-energy, acoustic song best described as romantic and hopeful. Guitar and acoustic guitar are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 124
- Key: D Major
- Listen and license here.
- Description: A high-energy rock song best described as inspiring and hopeful. The guitar and electric guitar are the primary instruments on this track.
- BPM: 117
- Key: G Major
- Listen and license here.
10. The Count by Adrian Walther
- Description: A high-energy pop song best described as happy and inspiring. Acoustic guitar and guitar are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 130
- Key: A Major
- Listen and license here.
These are just a handful of selections though, if you’re looking for more royalty free tracks for your iMovie edits, check out our full library in the Soundstripe app.
What is royalty free music?
Now, we’ve referenced a few terms above that might be new to you. To help explain things, let’s go over what royalty free music is and how music licensing for video works. If you have questions about music for video, here’s a great primer on what royalty free music means.
To understand how music royalties work, you must know that all music has basic copyrights. These copyrights extend to both the composer of the music and the musicians who recorded it. And if you want to use any music in any short films or other projects, you’ll need to obtain permission from the copyright owners.
Royalty free music for iMovie edits can be a nice option, simply because it’s easy to find and use. Soundstripe’s music is composed and recorded by Grammy-winning artists who know (and truly care) about making great music for all types of films and video content.
Our top playlists for royalty free music to use in iMovie
To complement the tracks shared above in this article, we also have numerous high-quality, royalty free music recommendations that would be great options for your iMovie edits.
You can explore additional top musical options to consider for your projects by checking out these curated playlists, which cover popular genres and styles that complement any iMovie project.
Explore our curated royalty free music playlists below.
Description: Upbeat tunes are trending among our vloggers and social media content creators.
Description: Pop music curated for marketing and advertising campaigns
Description: Vibey, understated Pop songs
Description: Vlog underscore for your next lifestyle content drop.
Description: Whether you want to stay in tune with the freshest stuff in Soundstripe's library or just want a playlist handpicked by people with superb taste, you’re in the right place.
We’ll always have more music to listen to, so if you’d like to keep exploring options, and even download music for iMovie edits, check out these additional playlists here.
Tips for using royalty free music in iMovie
Along with the royalty free music and playlists shared above, let’s also leave you with a few helpful tips and tricks to keep in mind when working with music to use in iMovie.
- Download preview tracks to use as placeholders in your edits before deciding if a track is right for your project.
- Be sure to check out our library of royalty free sound effects to make your edits even more impactful.
- Try out Soundstripe’s AI Song Editor to instantly edit your audio track to match the length of your edit.
For more tips and tricks, stay tuned to the Soundstripe blog for updates and resources on filmmaking and content creation.
