Music Ducking: Automatically Lower Music During Speech

Music ducking automatically reduces the music track volume during clips that contain speech. When someone is talking, the music dips to a lower level so the voice stays clear and intelligible. When the clip ends or a silent clip plays, the music returns to full volume. This is the same technique used in podcasts, radio, and professional video production.

How It Works

Ducking is controlled per clip. Each clip on your timeline has a music duck level setting that determines how much the music volume drops when that clip plays. A duck level of 0.8 means the music plays at 80% of its normal volume during that clip — a subtle dip that keeps speech clear without killing the energy.

Automatic Ducking

When you use Smart Add with AI, clips detected as containing speech automatically get music ducking enabled. The default duck level is set to a value that works well for most content. Silent clips (B-roll) keep the music at full volume.

Adjusting Duck Level

To change the duck level for a specific clip:

  • Select the clip on the timeline
  • Open the clip's audio settings
  • Adjust the Music Duck Level slider

Lower values mean more aggressive ducking (quieter music). A value of 0.5 drops the music to half volume. A value of 1.0 disables ducking entirely — the music plays at full volume even during speech.

Start around 0.3-0.5 for voice-heavy clips. If the speaker has a quiet voice or the music is energetic, use a lower duck level. For loud, clear speakers over calm music, 0.7-0.8 is often enough.

Ducking + Clip Volume

Music ducking works alongside clip volume control. The clip volume sets how loud the clip's own audio plays. The duck level sets how much the background music drops. Together, they let you create a clean mix where speech is always audible over the music bed.