When you're crafting new content on videos, the right background music can set the tone instantly. If you are looking for fresh and distinctive audio for YouTube, TikTok, or other platforms, SoundCloud could be your good choice with its massive uploads from emerging and independent artists. While SoundCloud offers high-quality streaming and offline listening, most songs can't be imported into video editors directly. This could bother creators who want full control over their audio files. But don't worry, this guide will show you the simplest ways and a comprehensive guide to download SoundCloud songs and add them to your videos on any device, while providing some useful tips for you to avoid copyright.
Part 1. How to Download SoundCloud Music for Video Editing
Since most songs saved within the SoundCloud app are DRM-protected, you can't directly add them to video editors, such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, InShot, Premiere Pro, CapCut, VN, and Lightworks. If you want to use a SoundCloud track in your video, you'll need to first save it as an unprotected audio file like MP3, WAV, or FLAC. Below, we'll go over the three most common ways to download SoundCloud music for your videos, whether you're working on a desktop or mobile.
1. Download Tracks from SoundCloud Officially
Some tracks on the SoundCloud website include a "Download file" button, which allows you to save the audio directly to your computer. This method is completely legal and easy, but it only works if the uploader has enabled downloads. However, you won't see this button on your phone, because the app is primarily for streaming and offline listening rather than exporting files. Even though the SoundCloud app lets you save songs for offline listening with a subscription, these files are encrypted and cannot be exported or used outside the app.
Step 1. Sign in to your SoundCloud account on the website and find the track you want to save.
Step 2. Check if the track has a download option. If the artist allows downloads, you will see a “Download file” button. Click it and the song can be saved directly to your device.
Pros and cons of official way
Pros
Legal and official- No extra tools required
Cons
Only available for Go/Go+ subscribers and works when the creator enables downloads- Can't be used on video editors; no downloads on phone
2. Save SoundCloud Songs via Online Tools
If the official download isn't available for your selected music, online tools can provide a quick option. You can paste the track's URL into the website and download it as an MP3. This method works on both desktop and mobile browsers and is ideal if you need basic audio and don't require for sound quality. However, the output is generally limited to MP3, and website availability can vary, so it's not the most reliable solution for frequent creators. Here we take KlickAud as an example to let you know how to keep SoundCloud music for video editing with online tools.
Step 1. Go to SoundCloud and copy the URL of the track you want to download for video creation.
Step 2. Launch a browser on your computer or phone and visit KlickAud.
Step 3. Paste the song URL into the provided field and tap the purple "CONVERT" button to start downloading.
Step 4. Press the "DOWNLOAD THE SONGS" button and the audio files will be saved on your device.
Pros and cons of online tools
Pros
- Free
- Simple and quick
- No installation required
Cons
- MP3 only and export lossy quality
- Only works for individual songs
- Sometimes fails to download specific songs
3. Keep SoundCloud Music Offline Using a SoundCloud Downloader
If you want stable downloads, high-quality audio, and full compatibility with all types of video editors, a desktop SoundCloud downloader such as DRmare Streaming Audio Recorder provides more reliable results. It enables you to download and convert SoundCloud music into formats such as MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, which work smoothly in CapCut, iMovie, and other editors. DRmare also allows you to download SoundCloud tracks in lossless quality while preserving ID3 tags, giving you more flexibility and control when using music in your video projects.
Tips:
With DRmare, you can download any SoundCloud song without restrictions and save it permanently on your computer. This gives you complete freedom to use the music in your video projects anytime and anywhere, even after your subscription ends.
- Step 1Set the Audio Format for Your Video Editor
Before converting, choose a format compatible with your video app. If you are not sure about the format for video, MP3 is a safe choice for universal compatibility. You can also adjust bit rate, channels, and other audio settings in the "Preferences" tab of the menu toolbar.
- Step 2Add SoundCloud Songs to DRmare
Choose SoundCloud on the main interface and log in to the built-in SoundCloud web player. Drag your desired tracks onto the "Add" button, then click "Add to List" to prepare them for conversion, which makes it easy to manage multiple tracks.
- Step 3Convert and Save SoundCloud Music for Your Video
Click "Convert" to extract the tracks into local files. After conversion, find them under the "Converted" tab. The music is now ready to import into any video editor for use in YouTube, TikTok, iMovie, CapCut, and more.
Pros and cons of DRmare
Pros
- Lossless sound quality
- Supports multiple output formats
- Preserves ID3 tags and lyrics
Cons
- Requires installation
- Not free
- Only for desktop
Part 2. How to Add SoundCloud Music to a Video on Different Devices
Once you've downloaded your SoundCloud music as a standard audio file with the methods above, you can import it into your video projects for editing effortlessly, whether on a desktop or a mobile device. Different video editors have varying levels of compatibility, but common formats like MP3, WAV, or M4A are widely supported, making it easy to integrate your tracks.
Add SoundCloud Music to Videos on PC
When you're working on a computer, you'll have access to broader format support, so adding your downloaded SoundCloud tracks to a video becomes even more flexible. Let's explore how to get SoundCloud songs on your computer for videos.
For Windows:
Step 1. Launch Apple Music/ iTunes on your PC, then head to the "File" menu at the top. Choose "Add File to Library" or "Add Folder to Library".
Step 2. Browse to the DRmare "Output" folder where your converted SoundCloud songs are stored, choose the files you want, and import them to your Apple Music/iTunes library.
For Mac:
Step 1. Open the Apple Music app, then select "File → Import" from the menu bar.
Step 2. Locate the SoundCloud tracks you saved, and press "Open" to add them to your Apple Music library.
Add SoundCloud Songs to a Video on Mobile
If you are working with a mobile device, there are various ways to transfer your SoundCloud tracks from your computer.
Add Your SoundCloud Tracks to iPhone
Once the files are ready on your computer, you can move them over using either iTunes or Finder to sync SoundCloud music on your iPhone.
Via iTunes
Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone using its USB cable. Sign in with your Apple ID, which ensures your library stays synced across devices.
Step 2. Add your downloaded SoundCloud songs to iTunes by clicking "File" and choosing "Add File/Folder to Library".
Step 3. Head to the "Music" section, where you'll see your library and sync options. Select "Sync Music", choose the songs you want to bring over, and hit "Apply", then iTunes will transfer the tracks to your iPhone in a moment.
Via Finder
Step 1. Open a Finder window and connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable or Wi-Fi connection.
Step 2. Go to the "Music" tab and enable Sync music onto "your device" so Finder knows you want to transfer audio.
Step 3. Then pick the SoundCloud tracks you want to include. Click "Apply" to begin syncing. After it's done, open the Apple Music app on your iPhone and check your Library, where your SoundCloud songs will be ready to be used in videos.
Move Your SoundCloud Playlists to Android
Transferring them to your Android device is simple. you just need to connect your phone or tablet to your computer using a cable, then copy the converted SoundCloud files to your device. Here are two common ways to do it:
Using a USB Cable
Plug your Android device into your computer with a USB cable. Once it appears in Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder, open the device storage and drag the downloaded music files into the desired folder.
Using an OTG Cable
If your device supports OTG, you can first copy the audio files to a USB flash drive. Then connect the drive to your phone or tablet via an OTG adapter and move the files directly into your device's storage.
Part 3. Tips to Avoid Copyright Issues When Adding SoundCloud Music
When you're adding SoundCloud music to your videos, it's important to be mindful of copyright issues to avoid potential strikes or takedowns. Not all SoundCloud tracks are free to use, so you need to check each song's usage rights.
A safe approach is to look for tracks labeled under Creative Commons licenses, which usually let you use the music freely as long as you give proper credit. You can make this easier by searching for phrases like "free music for videos". Moreover, many artists include notes about how their music can be used, and you can send a quick message to the creator to get full permission to use the song. If you're ever in doubt, especially for videos that you plan to monetize, it's safest to turn to royalty-free music libraries.
Part 4. Summary
Using SoundCloud music in your videos is absolutely possible, as long as you download the tracks and convert them into standard audio formats, then import them into your editor on PC or mobile. You can save songs through official downloads, online tools, or a desktop downloader for higher quality. Official downloads work when enabled by the creator, online tools offer quick one-off solutions, and the desktop downloaders like DRmare provide the most stable and highest quality results for video editing. After that, simply transfer them to your devices, and you can start your video creation with SoundCloud songs.
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Learn how to download any SoundCloud song or playlist to MP3 or WAV. We cover all methods and reveal the fastest, safest way to save high-quality audio on your PC or Mac.