The Role of Music in Premiere Pro Editing: Best Practices for Video Production

When working in Premiere Pro, the decision to edit with or without music can significantly influence the final product. The choice is often dependent on the type of video you are creating. This article explores the best practices and common approaches used by video editors, with insights from both the editing and music creation perspectives.

When to Incorporate Music During the Editing Process

According to industry standards, incorporating music into the editing process can vary widely depending on the nature of the video being produced. For most documentary and short film projects, music is typically added later in the edit process. After polishing the visuals and dialogue, the storyboard is more clearly defined, and this is when the music choices are implemented. For music-driven videos such as travel videos or event highlight reels, the music selection is often made in the beginning.

My experience as a musician with a son working in video post-production has taught me that the visuals should always take precedence. Composers and musicians often have to adapt their work based on the visual editing, ensuring that the music enhances the visuals rather than the other way around. The story is told through the editing of visuals, while music serves to enhance the narrative. Therefore, it is recommended to edit without music first, even if it might be annoying for composers who have to adjust their work for successive edits.

Practical Tips for Workflow

Begin by rough-cutting the footage according to a script or storyboards, focusing on the narrative structure of the video. Once the footage is organized and the story is more clearly defined, you can then bring in the music and synchronize the video to match. This method ensures that the editing process is not overly hindered by the preliminary music choices, allowing for more flexibility and refinements in the final product.

It’s also important to remember that background or incidental music is typically one of the last things to be added to a Premiere Pro timeline. The primary visuals, including dialogue and sound design, should be the focus before moving on to the music. This approach allows you to maximize the impact of the visuals and ensures that the music serves as a supporting element, enhancing the overall emotional and narrative flow of the video.

Conclusion

Whether you are a seasoned video editor or a musician contributing to the visual narrative, the integration of music in Premiere Pro editing can vary widely based on the type of video you are creating. By implementing these best practices, you can ensure that the music supports and complements the visuals rather than overshadowing them, leading to a more effective and engaging final product.

Key Points

Decide whether to work with or without music, depending on the nature of the video. Rough-cut the footage first, then introduce music to match the visual narrative. Background or incidental music is typically one of the last elements added to the timeline.

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