How do I Separate Audio from Video in iMovie on Mac and iPhone?

Common reasons for extracting audio from videos

There are several reasons why you might want to extract audio from a video. Here are some common use cases:

• Removing background noise: By extracting the audio, you can eliminate unwanted background noise, such as wind, static, or crowd noises, that can be easily cleaned and focused on the primary sound.
• Adding voiceovers: When you split audio and video, it allows you to insert voiceovers. You can record fresh audio tracks and synchronize them with the video, making it easier for readouts of spoken material.
• Cutting music tracks: If you need to replace the music in a video or alter the timing of a music track, isolating the audio enables you to easily edit or replace the audio without interfering with the video material.
• Enhancing audio quality: Separating the audio allows you to apply filters, modify the volume, and eliminate distortion, thereby enhancing the overall audio quality prior to re-syncing it with the video.
• Utilizing audio for other purposes: When you isolate audio from a video, you can utilize the extracted sound for other projects, like producing podcasts, soundtracks, or clips for social media.

Key features of iMovie for separating and editing audio

• Splitting the audio: Splitting audio away from video becomes easy in just a click or two using iMovie. If you split audio, you are free to relocate or delete audio independently of video, having every control on your project.
• Volume control: After the audio is split, you can adjust the volume as per your needs. iMovie provides options to increase or decrease the volume of the audio so that the sound acts as an addition to the video without overpowering it.
• Trimming audio: You can trim the audio track and remove the unwanted section or shorten the length using iMovie. This feature is best used to synchronize audio with some sections of the video or remove unnecessary sections.
• Fade in/out audio: iMovie allows you to put fade effects on your audio. You can utilize a fade in or fade out to smooth the transition between your audio pieces, and this will make your audio sound more professional and polished.
• Background music inclusion: With iMovie, it is easy to include background music in your video. After splitting the audio, you can include a music track and manage its timing, volume, and effects to make it even better in terms of mood and experience for your slideshow or video.

How to separate audio from video using iMovie on Mac

STEP 1
1. Launch iMovie and create a new project

Open iMovie and click on the "Projects" tab, and select the "Create New" option to start a fresh project for separating the audio. Click on the "Import Media" button, which will open the "Finder" window. Browse and select the video file from which you want to extract the audio, then click "Import Selected" to add it to your project.

STEP 2
1. Drag the video to the timeline

Once the video is imported into the iMovie interface, click on it to select it. Drag the video onto the timeline, where you can begin editing and separating the audio from the video.

STEP 3
1. Export audio only

Click on the Share (Export) button at the top-right corner of iMovie and choose File from the dropdown menu. In the pop-up window, change the Format to "Audio Only" and select your desired output format, then click "Next" to save the audio to your computer.

How to separate audio from video in iMovie on iPhone/iPad

STEP 1
1. Launch iMovie and import the video clip

Open iMovie on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the "Start New Project" option, and import the video clip from which you want to separate the audio. Once imported, the video will appear in the timeline for editing.

STEP 2
1. Detach and edit the audio

Tap on the video clip in the timeline to reveal the editing tools. Then, click on the "Detach" option, which will split the audio from the video, placing the audio on a separate track beneath the video. Select the detached audio track and move it elsewhere on the timeline if you want to adjust its placement.

While iMovie is a great option for Mac and iOS users to separate audio from video, Windows users may need an alternative solution. For a more versatile and cross-platform experience, CapCut offers an excellent audio extraction feature suitable for Mac, Windows, and mobile users, making it a great choice for all types of video editing. Let us explore it in the upcoming section and learn more in detail about CapCut.

How to separate audio from video using CapCut on desktop & mobile

CapCut is a user-friendly video editing software that offers advanced features for both Windows and Mac users. One of its standout capabilities is the audio extraction feature, which allows you to easily separate audio from any video file. Whether you're looking to enhance your audio or use it separately for other projects, CapCut provides a seamless experience. In addition to audio extraction, it includes a wide range of audio editing tools, such as noise reduction, volume adjustment, and voice enhancement. CapCut supports multiple audio export formats, including MP3, WAV, and more, ensuring versatile compatibility for all your projects.

Key features

• Audio extraction: CapCut allows easy audio extraction from video files, enabling you to separate and use the audio independently for editing.
• Audio editing tools: With CapCut, you can reduce noise, adjust volume, enhance voice, and apply a voice changer for advanced audio customization.
• Audio exported formats: CapCut supports various audio export formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, and AAC.

Steps to separate audio from a video on desktop

STEP 1
1. Step 1: Import the video file

Open CapCut and import the video you want to edit by dragging it into the media library or using the "Import" button. Once imported, drag the video file to the timeline for editing.

STEP 2
1. Extract audio from video (Optional)

Right-click on the video track in the timeline and select "Extract Audio." This will separate the audio from the video and place it on a new audio track. You can now edit the audio, such as reducing noise, using the voice changer, or adjusting the speed and volume to suit your needs.

STEP 3
1. Export the audio file

Once you've finished editing the audio, click on the Export button in the top-right corner. Choose Audio as your export option and select your preferred audio format, such as MP3 or WAV, from the dropdown menu. Finally, click Next to save the extracted audio file to your computer.

Steps to separate audio from a video on mobile

STEP 1
1. Import your video file to the CapCut app

First, open the CapCut app, tap on "+ New project" option and select your video file from your gallery.

STEP 2
1. Extract audio from a video

Then, tap on the video on the timeline, and select "Extract audio," you will get the extracted audio file on the soundtrack. You can edit the audio effect, volume, and more.

STEP 3
1. Export the video

Once done, choose the video resolution (up to 4K) and frame rate (up to 120fps) you want and tap on "Export" to save the video on your mobile.

Conclusion

In this post, we explored how to separate audio from video in iMovie for both Mac and iPhone users, providing step-by-step instructions. iMovie offers a simple solution for extracting and editing audio, making it a great tool for basic audio editing. For Windows and Mac users seeking a more advanced solution, CapCut offers a powerful alternative with its easy-to-use interface and robust audio editing features. With CapCut, you can extract audio, enhance it with advanced tools, and export it in various formats. Download CapCut extract audio from videos on your Windows and Mac now!

FAQs

1
1. How to convert video to MP3 for free?

To convert a video to MP3 for free, directly import the video into CapCut. Then click "Export" to select "Audio," you will see four audio formats to export, and pick MP3. Finally, click "Export" again to save the MP3 file.

2
1. Can I use an audio that is separated from other people's videos?

While you can extract and use audio from other people's videos using CapCut, always be aware of copyright issues. It's important to ensure that the audio is copyright-free or that you have permission to use it. We support you in using the extracted audio for personal rather than commercial purposes.

3
1. How to improve the extracted audio quality?

To improve the quality of extracted audio, CapCut offers tools like "Enhance voice," "Reduce noise," and so on. These tools allow you to refine the audio, ensuring it sounds clear and professional.