Music in Tutorial Videos? Think Again

Using Background Music for Tutorial & Explainer Videos can be tricky. Here are a few general tips for using music in videos, and some specific tips for using background music for tutorial & explainer videos.
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Royalty Free Music Sources:
Free Sources:
🎵Free Music Archive: freemusicarchive.org/
🎵TuneTank: tunetank.com/
🎵KZbin Audio Library (Only for use on KZbin!): KZbin Studio Dashboard
Paid Sources:
🎵Artlist: artlist.io/
🎵Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/
🎵Storyblocks: www.storyblocks.com/audio
This video is NOT sponsored.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:27 Royalty-Free Music
0:50 Tone
1:09 Music Levels
1:35 Explainer vs Tutorial
2:51 Tutorial Music
4:26 Explainer Music
5:04 Overall Music Advice
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Editing: Final Cut Pro
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#backgroundmusic #tutorials #explainervideos
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[@inkandgrowrich9793]

Very interesting. I had already made a distinction between the two types of educational videos but I was calling the "topical" videos vs "Step by step" tutorials. Good to know there are actual widely accepted terms for both!

[@fwelk]

5 minutes of pure gold!

[@myHomeKithome]

Sometimes I really do think you address specific issues that I have with my videos when I have them. I have been trying to have the confidence to eliminate the music from my tutorial content. It’s like taking away my safety blanket. My audience seems to respond AND the videos seems to flow better as I’m able to control energy. Thank you again🙏🏽

[@markwells2621]

Very well said. I think all youtubers should watch this and take action. There are many videos that are totally ruined by the fact that they have music.

[@scofah]

I leave so many comments that echo this comment. I usually say something like, "Thank you for your video. Please consider not using music. Background music and sound effects create an additional unpleasant cognitive load. When people are speaking it is unnecessary to have Background Music or sound effects. A little bit of music goes a long way. Music is okay when people are singing. Music is okay used in small amounts when people are NOT talking (but it is still unnecessary). For people who are listening to their own music, your music is just interfering. For people who are hard of hearing, who speak the video language as a second language, for people who are on the spectrum/neurodivergent, or have other learning challenges, then any background music or sound effects are always extra challenging. Also, for people who are listening to the video speeded up, then the music becomes unpleasantly distorted. Please consider just leaving it out or at least making a music-free version of the video and prominently offering the link to it. Thank you."

[@mohakhu]

Your videos are always the BEST. THANKS SO MUCH 🙏

[@eneacreativedesign]

Very good advice, thanks! That is what I had been wondering for my own tutorials, and mostly I haven't added music, apart very few times, when I am doing something and not talking, in order not to lose the viewer's attention.

[@MacVideoMagic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@VID801]

Thanks for the recommendation Michael. This was very helpful (both for knowing and doing). 👍🏼

[@PolinasafoNOVA]

Thank you so much Michael for a wonderful childhood😍😍😍 Inquiring minds were amazing, positive, educational experience. Thank you very much 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@vandorawilliams5765]

This particular video is WONDERFUL. You made the distinctions very clear and explain why. Thank you so much for this. I will share this with my students.

[@MacVideoMagic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JottyHB]

The best case with music in tutorials is, when it doesn‘t disturb. Mostly it‘s annoying. I often suspect, that the author fears, his tutorial is boring. If it is, the music will not make a difference. Your tutorials,are great and helpful. Even as a non native speaker I can follow easily. Thank you!

[@ThinkYourHealth]

To the point. One of my explainer videos I had the wrong music choice and it was too loud. My audience let me know. Now just use it in my intro and outro.

[@dawnmcintyre2228]

Another great video Michael. I always pick up some great tips from your knowledge and videos. Thanks

[@calebshaw6292]

Nicely done.

[@issiewizzie]

Thanks for explaining

[@fheering]

Thanks, Michael! Very clear and precise message. As always! Cheers!

[@angelajholden]

Nice video. I'm a new YT'er and I do tutorials, but want to start doing explainers, too. I think I'm going to remove this bit of complexity and not worry about music. I want to get really good at editing, and just speaking on camera in general. When I'm comfy with those 2 things, I might revisit this. I feel like you gave me permission to not do this. And to not worry so much about the YT'ers who do it, and just focus on myself. Cheers! xoxo

[@monicajones5943]

Thanks for Posting 👍 Content was helpful👍

[@TromboneAl]

Great videos. By chance, I was about to write a comment on another of your videos suggesting you reconsider having music in the background of your videos (re the precision editor). The music is low but it still interferes with the speech. It doesn't add much, but it's distracting.

[@MacVideoMagic]

Yup, I get that a lot. 2019 Mike was a rebel.

[@idkk839]

you just can't stop watching!! Great channel earned a sub :D

[@blaed011]

Great advice!

[@frankename1984]

Michael.. Another great video. Can you please do a video on how to use the audio options in imovie that are built in the top right section of imovie.

[@scofah]

Most of my favorite KZbinrs don't use any music or sound effects at all. They're my favorite creators. (e.g. channel called Shaun)

[@APRICEPRODUCTION]

To me music playing through a tutorial video is a big NO NO. The focus of a tutorial video is always what is being explained and what you see visually. When I watch a tutorial for something, I find music distracting full stop from the person speaking. Keep it at the start and end of your video's, it's not a music video. It's doesn't constructively add anything to the video content...

[@AndreaJMessineo]

Excel and heavy metal made for a surprisingly good pairing. I would watch Excel tutorials set to heavy metal.

[@MacVideoMagic]

Would be something.

[@AndreaJMessineo]

@@MacVideoMagic Thanks for the advice on music! I'm starting to work on a new training series and was debating music vs. no music. It sounds like no music works best for the type of video I'm creating.

[@matthewcarpenter4716]

i think you forgot to add links to the royalty free music in the explanation?

[@MacVideoMagic]

You are correct! Will add them.

[@matthewcarpenter4716]

@@MacVideoMagic Thank you so very much!

[@sunset5868]

I had To change my computer coz mac had rlly less storage and buying storage COSTS alot and u also cant delete files and a hardrive costs more then the computer

[@tabathacole]

🦋

[@mrcombiBedford]

Hi Michael, we love your videos 4 months is too long, what's up?

[@GrantSR]

I have Asperger's, and almost all music in explainer/tutorial videos distracts me. Also, since I read about how scammers can trick KZbin into THINKING they have the copyright to even royalty-free music, then use that to put strikes on your video, then try to extort money out of you.... I will simply avoid that risk by never using music at all.

[@tuberobotloco]

Hey, thanks. So, Royalty-Free Music, I use the ones from KZbin studio free music, but did you recommend anymore ?

[@MacVideoMagic]

KZbin audio is great, but can only be used on KZbin. I added links to some other options in the description.

[@tuberobotloco]

@@MacVideoMagic So true!, i publish then in FB and send me a penalty.

[@chautamtv]

Watching your video is so much fun because it's good, attractive and engaging. Thank you. For a very enjoyable experience. You are so wonderful. Wishing you success and good health. Beautifully beautiful. I really like people like you. My good friend.@@@-/-/@

[@chessclinic]

Nice video, but also a missed opportunity to "teach by the example". Not a single one was provided.

[@michelevitarelli]

I hate background music in tutorial videos. It's a huge distraction.