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Making a slideshow with musical accompaniment is an excellent method to present a compilation of photos, videos, and other visuals in an engaging way. It can be used to create presentations, highlight special occasions, or just for fun.

But how to make a slideshow with music and pictures for free? In this article, we'll talk about the costless ways to craft an animated clip from pictures with background audio.

Knowing how to properly assemble a sound panel can greatly impact the effectiveness and memorability of a composition.

Summary table of slideshow makers

1. Icecream Slideshow Maker

Icecream Slideshow Maker is available for Windows OS and allows you to create a high-quality video in just a few minutes.

The software's simple interface makes it possible to work not only for professional designers but also for amateurs.

How to make a slideshow with music and pictures for free

Step 1. Download the program, run the setup process, and open it to proceed.

Step 2. Put pictures to create slides. You can upload photos by folder or one at a time. Drag and drop depictions right into the app's window or via the "Add file" and "Add folder" buttons. All the popular formats like JPG, TIFF, PNG, and others are supported.

Step 3. Set the transition effects between the segments and their duration (can be applied to each pic individually or to the whole queue).

Incline text and blank slides (the "Add Color" button), and blur the background if some visuals do not fit the output resolution (which you can also set). Sort pages manually, shuffle, or arrange them in alphabetical order.

Step 4. Right about time to insert track to your video by clicking the "Add audio" button under the preview player. All popular extensions are supported, such as MP3, M4A, WAV, etc.

Form a playlist if you're planning to make a long slideshow with music in the background. Loop the song to play continuously, apply fades, and offset if necessary.

Step 5. Preview the result in the built-in player of the free slideshow software.

Step 6. If everything looks good then adjust the output format and enter a custom name. Then hit the "Create" button.

Additional tools

Not only you can create a photo presentation with music, but also set the display timing, and incorporate transitions and text content to the pictures. In addition to all of this, you can rotate the footage and duplicate them.

The program also lets you instantly upload the presentation to YouTube, Google Drive, and Dropbox, or immediately burn the video to a DVD.

2. iMovie

Creating a slideshow with music in iMovie is a simple process that allows you to add a dynamic touch to your photos. This native Apple software is a good choice for macOS or iOS since it does not require a third-party application.

How to make a free slideshow with music in iMovie

Step 1. Open the utility on your PC or phone.

Step 2. Hit "Create New" and choose "Movie" to start a new project.

Step 3. Add the photos you want to include by clicking the "Import Media" button.

Step 4. Move the items from "My Media" to the timeline in the order you want them to appear in the video.

Step 5. Adjust the duration of each slide by dragging the edges to make it longer or shorter.

Step 6. Open the "Audio & Video" tab and select the song you want to insert from your iTunes library or iMovie's built-in soundtracks. Place it on the timeline.

Step 7. You can adjust the volume by moving the volume slider.

Step 8. Press "Transitions" to select the smooth changing effects for your slides.

Step 9. Click "Title" to incorporate text to your slideshow (intro, captions, credits, etc.). You can apply them to your existing slides or go to "Backgrounds" and add a blank page.

Step 10. To adjust the Start and End position of the panel's motion effect (applied automatically), select the needed page and press the crop icon above the preview.

Step 11. Once you're satisfied with the result, you can preview it via the play button.

Step 12. Finally, when you're ready, hit the export icon and opt for the "Export File" menu to create a slideshow. Change the file name and tags, etc. Press "Next" to pick the location and save your output.

3. Keynote

Keynote is a powerful software designed for macOS and iOS. It is part of the iWork kit, which also includes Pages (for word processing) and Numbers (for spreadsheets).

How to create a picture slideshow with music in Keynote

Step 1. Launch the app and tap on the "+" icon to create a new project.

The program offers various themes to style your panel. Click "Choose a Theme" to pick one that suits the mood or content of your presentation.

Step 2. Tap "+" on the left side to make a new slide. Use the same button to insert a photo.

You can import existing media files from the app or open the camera to take new pictures.

Step 3. Hold and drag slides to reorder them.

If you want to edit the photo, click on it and tap the brush icon in the upper right corner of the screen. You can apply various styles, rotate, flip, remove background, and more.

Step 4. Go to the page where you want to insert song (typically the first or title slide). Tap the "+" button and choose either "Record Audio" or "Insert from...".

Step 5. Utilize "Play" (the triangle icon) to preview your slideshow with music. Choose "Share" to export the result. You can share it via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or save it to Files.

4. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is a free video editor that can help you create amazing slideshows with music. With its intuitive interface and features, it's a good tool to build beautiful presentations.

How to make a clip of pictures with audio using Clipchamp

Step 1. Launch the application.

Step 2. Click the "Create a new video" button.

Step 3. Add your own pictures, audio, and clip from your library, or utilize stock footage. To do this, press "Import media" or simply drag and drop the content. Then, transfer the chosen photos on a timeline. Click on the footage to adjust colors, filters, and effects.

Step 4. Hit "Audio" to set the volume of the track. Manage the fade in/out setting and change the speed if needed.

Step 5. Preview your project before you export it.

Step 6. Press "Export" to choose the quality and save your slide presentation.

5. Windows Movie Maker

Movie Maker is a free editing software for Windows consumers. It can also be used to make a slide presentation from photos.

How to make a video with music and pictures in Windows Movie Maker

Step 1. Download and install the utility on your computer (if you don't already have it).

Step 2. Launch the program and start a new project via "Create New Project".

Step 3. To load footage, click "Add clip", then "Photo/Video".

Step 4. Select the images you'd like to insert and drag them into the timeline below.

Step 5. To incorporate audile, press "Edit soundtrack". There you can pull music or voice-over from your PC or take stock sounds. After the track is inside, trim it or lay effects over it.

Step 6. Now, adjust the settings for your future photo presentation. Choose the aspect ratio, transitions, and motion effects.

To customize your slideshow, you can set the duration of each image by selecting one or more items, and then dragging them left or right on the timeline until they are just the way you want them.

Step 7. Once you're happy with your work, click "Save video" or "Save project".

6. Canva

Canva is a popular design tool employed to make attractive decks. Manipulating this online slideshow maker is a breeze, and it offers lots of customization options.

How to make a free slideshow with music online in Canva

Step 1. Log in and pick "Presentation" from the design types.

Step 2. Select a template you like or start from scratch. You can sort slideshow templates by theme to make it easier to find the one you like.

Step 3. Add photos, illustrations, shapes, lines, and videos. Set the duration time and adjust the photo effects.

Step 4. Hit "Uploads" to add songs for each slide or for the entire creation. Set the audio effects, beat sync, and tweak the volume.

Step 5. Customize transitions between slides if desired.

Step 6. Click "Share" when you are done and save your result as a video, PDF, PPTX, or image.

FAQ

What type of audio should I use?

If you're making a slideshow with music, you can apply any song you want, as long as it's suitable for the occasion and doesn't contain any copyrighted material.

Can I utilize popular songs?

It’s often safer to take royalty-free track unless you have permission.

Can I use lyrics in the music, or is instrumental better?

Lyrics can be impactful if they align with the slideshow’s theme, but instrumental melody can often be less distracting and more versatile.

Can I add voiceovers?

Yes, some slideshow creators offer the possibility to capture and embed audio narrations. You can also employ an audio recorder to capture sound and then add it to your slides as an audio file.

What is the best resolution for my pictures?

High-resolution visuals (at least 1080 x 1080 pixels) will guarantee that your presentations look sharp and professional on any device.

Is there a limit to how many images I can include in the slideshow?

It depends on the slideshow maker you're using. Some apps may have limits on the number of photos you can incline while other applications may not have any limit at all.

Tips

1. Start with your visuals. Select your footage and clips before you begin creating a slideshow with music.
2. Choose a theme. Templates will guide the creation of your presentation, and can serve as a connection between the depictions.
3. Keep it simple. With decks, less is more. Leave the panel short, concise, and to the point.
4. Add song. Audio helps create a mood and adds emotion. Choose something meaningful for the deck you have picked out.
5. Think about timing. The sequence of your music should match the the slides. Aim for a few seconds per page, and adjust if necessary.
6. Balance levels. Make sure that the melody is not overpowering the visuals by tweaking the volume levels accordingly.
7. Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with transitions, effects, or other tools available.
8. Optimize for different devices. Consider how people will be viewing your presentation - on a computer, tablet, or phone. Verify that all is looking good across different devices before sharing it with others.
9. Test it out. Before sending your slideshow verify you take the time to view it yourself and check that everything looks and sounds right.

Common issues

Conclusion

In conclusion, making a slideshow with music is a great way to capture and share special moments. With the help of this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to do it for free.

To ensure your presentation turns out perfect, it is essential to keep a few things in mind while creating it.

Remember to choose the right images. Select pictures that are high-quality and meaningful. Then, think about what track will best enhance the output. Finally, be sure to check for any copyright restrictions before downloading your songs.

By following these tips, you can make an attractive musical slideshow that everyone can appreciate. So go ahead, choose the slideshow makers that works best for you, and get started creating your own masterpiece!