Add Background Music to your Podcast
Add background music to a short podcast episode using royalty-free tracks, simple audio editing, volume balancing, and fades to create a clear, polished final recording.
Step-by-step guide to add background music to your podcast
Step 1
Open your audio editing software and create a new project so you have a workspace ready.
Step 2
Import your short podcast audio file into the project so the voice track appears on the timeline.
Step 3
Play your podcast and write down the timestamps where you want background music to start and stop.
Step 4
Import the royalty-free music file into the project so it appears on a separate track.
Step 5
Trim the music clip to remove any extra beginning or ending so it only covers the parts you marked.
Step 6
Drag the trimmed music clip onto a new track underneath the voice track and align it with the timestamps you wrote down.
Step 7
Lower the music track volume using the track gain or volume control so your voice stays clearly louder; aim for about -15 dB to -20 dB on the music if your editor shows decibels.
Step 8
Add short fade-ins at each music start and fade-outs at each music end to make the transitions smooth.
Step 9
Play a short section where the voice and music overlap and listen carefully to the balance.
Step 10
Where the music covers words, split the music clip or use volume automation to lower the music only at those spots.
Step 11
Export the whole project as an MP3 at 192 kbps or as a WAV at 44.1 kHz 16-bit to make a final file.
Step 12
Listen to the exported file on headphones to check that the voice is clear and the music sounds smooth.
Step 13
Share your finished podcast episode with background music on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don’t have audio editing software or a royalty-free music file—what can I use instead?
Use free editors like Audacity, GarageBand, or online tools such as BandLab and download Creative Commons tracks from the YouTube Audio Library or Free Music Archive to 'Import the royalty-free music file into the project' and continue with the steps.
The music still makes the voice hard to hear after I lower the volume—how do I fix that?
If lowering the music track volume doesn't help, follow the 'Where the music covers words' step to split the music clip or use volume automation/ducking at those timestamps and add short fade-ins and fade-outs for smoother transitions.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, have an adult pre-import the podcast and a trimmed music loop so the child can practice 'drag the trimmed music clip' and listening, while older kids can aim for the -15 dB to -20 dB music target, use volume automation, EQ, and handle the 'Export the whole project as an MP3 or WAV' step themselves.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the podcast after adding background music?
Personalize the episode by recording a short custom jingle or sound effects, layer extra music tracks and use EQ/compression after balancing voice and music, then 'Export the whole project' and share multiple versions on DIY.org for feedback.
Watch videos on how to add background music to your podcast
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Facts about audio editing for kids
🎧 Adding background music can change how listeners feel — the same words can seem happy, sad, or dramatic depending on the track.
💾 Free tools like Audacity and many mobile apps let kids edit audio, add fades, and export podcast-ready files.
🎵 Many royalty-free music libraries offer thousands of tracks you can legally use without paying per-play fees.
🎚️ Simple fades and volume balancing are the secret tricks audio editors use to make voices sound clear and music sit perfectly behind speech.
🎙️ The word "podcast" was coined in 2004 as a mash-up of "iPod" and "broadcast".
How do I add background music to a short podcast episode?
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