Changing the music after a video has been edited

You can change the music after an edit, but it usually means re-timing the cuts as well, and the new track must be cleared for how you will use the video. Decide the mood, check the rights, then send one clear request.

Why is a music change more than a swap?

An editor often cuts to the music. Shots change on the beat, a speech fades under a quiet part, and the video lifts when the song lifts. Replace the song and these points no longer line up.

How much work that creates depends on the new track:

• Similar pace and structure. Often a quick swap with small adjustments.
• Different pace or length. Many cuts may need re-timing, and the video may need to change length.
• Music under speech or ceremonies. Volume and fades need redoing so words stay clear.

Ask the editor which of these applies before you decide. Ask at the same time whether it counts as a normal revision. See video revisions, corrections and scope-change charges.

Who is allowed to use the new track?

Music is owned by people, and permission to use it depends on how and where you use the video. Two videos with the same song can have different answers: a private family screening, a public social post and a company advertisement are not the same use.

A few points to keep in mind:

• A song you like is not automatically free to use.
• A licence for one use may not cover another.
• A licence does not by itself settle every possible rights or platform issue. Malaysia’s music rights organisation notes that a music licence does not automatically prevent takedowns where other rights or platform rules are unresolved (MACP FAQ).
• Event venues, organisers and platforms can each have their own rules.

Ask the licensor and the venue what is cleared for your use. In the scope we note who chooses and supplies the music. For wider questions on publication, see permissions, privacy and responsible publication and the filming and publication responsibilities checklist.

How do I ask for a change clearly?

Send one message with:

1. Where: the whole video, or specific timecodes.
2. What you want: a mood, a style or the exact track, and the source.
3. Why: for example “too heavy for a children’s concert”.
4. Use: where the video will be shown or posted.
5. Rights: who holds the licence, if you supplied the song.

An example of a clear request (an illustration only): “Whole video: replace the instrumental with something lighter and warmer. Keep the music lower under the principal’s speech at 03:10 to 04:30. We will post it on the school’s private parents’ group only.”

Compare that with “change the music”. The first lets the editor start work. The second starts a conversation.

What if I only dislike part of it?

Be specific. Say “the first 20 seconds are too slow” rather than “change everything”.

It may be enough to change the opening, or to lower the volume where people speak. For help writing such comments, see how to give useful feedback on a video draft. Sound levels and balance are covered in colour and sound adjustments.

What we confirm for your edit

• Whether a music change is a normal revision in your agreement, or extra work.
• Who supplies and pays for licensed music.
• For which uses the current music is cleared.
• Whether a new track changes the video length or the captions.
• How many review rounds are left.

Use the revision planner to keep a log of changes and review rounds.

If you hold footage and want it edited with music chosen at the start, see editing your event footage, where we agree who selects and clears the music.

For a legal question about your event, ask a qualified adviser.