How to Import Audio Files for
Use with Your Digital Video

Learning how to import audio files is a necessary skill when making home digital videos. The exact steps on how to import audio files are different for every digital video editing program. Below are the steps for the two most common video software, the Windows Movie Maker 2 and Apples iMovie.

 Using Windows Movie Maker

1. Open the Windows Movie Maker program.

Click on 'File' and then click on 'Import into Collections'. Collection is the library in which the audio, video, and pictures that you have imported or have captured using the program are placed. Generally, you can only import the files that are listed in there. If you need to add other files, you should put them in your collections folder for easy use.

2. Type the path and name of the file in the 'File Name' field.

If the desired audio files are placed somewhere else in your computer other than the collections folder, you have to know the directory name, the filename, and the full path of that directory that contains the file. Else, you won't be able to import the audio file successfully. Type everything in the file name field in order to proceed.

3. Manage the file as necessary.

After doing the two steps above, you should be ready to use the audio file you have imported. Modify and edit the file as you desire. The audio files will have its icon inside the program. Depending in the audio file's format, the icon would show as a Windows Media Player icon or note icon.

For Apple's iMovie

1. Open the iMovie Program.

 Then select the project you are working on. Once the project is open, look for the audio button that lies below the clips pane.

2. Select the audio file.

 If the file is going to come from an audio CD, make sure it is inserted in the right drive. Look at the box beside drop down menu right beside the audio panel. It may default to the iTunes Library. If the audio file is that directory, just select it as necessary. If the audio file is inside the CD, proceed to click on the drop down menu and select the title of the compact disk you have inserted. The tracks of the CD will appear in the audio panel right below the drop down menu. Select the track you wish to import.

3. Click on the clock button found on the left side of the play button.

 This will open the audio tracks embedded in the digital video that you are creating or editing. The topmost part is the audio file that is currently in use. There are two others below it that you can use for adding other audio tracks.

4. Extract the audio.

 Extracting the audio requires you to select the part you want to extract. After doing that, point and click on the 'Extract Audio' button. The button can be found on the edit panel at the top. If the audio is done extracting, it should appear in the timeline's second layer.

5. Adjust the volume as necessary.

If you need to adjust the audio track's volume, just click on the 'Edit Volume' box found on the bottom. There will be a vertical line coming from the audio clip as it appears on the time line. Just slide the lever accordingly.

6. Crop the audio.

If there is a need to crop the audio file, all you have to do is adjust its starting and ending point. You can do that if you drag the triangle icon found both at the start and at the end of the audio clip. After doing so, go to the edit panel and click on 'Crop'. The audio file is now cropped as you want it. 

These are the steps on how you can import and even edit audio files using the two most popular home video editing programs today, the Microsoft Movie Maker and the Apple iMovie. Just follow them and you should be able to add the audio files that you want to make your digital movie impressive.