Why Does My Mp3 Audio Behind Video Clip Cut To Length Of Video Clip?

Question

Ok. So I am trying to put together a music video using iMovie 11, and am having the hardest time getting started. I put my selected video clip up on the dashboard to get ready to cut as well as edit the footage. When i put the Mp3(Song) on the dashboard it automatically cuts to the length of the amount of video footage that is on the dashboard at that time. I have tried to lengthen the duration of the mp3 using the settings feature given on the audio clip, but it automatically jumps back to the duration of the amount of video clip. Ultimately I am trying to lengthen my duration, and have my mp3 the full length of the song to stay for the whole project, which gives me room and a real chance to work with my clips. I figure that it is something very conspicuous that I am missing. I'm sure it is just a minor issue, and would love if somebody could help assist me with this problem. Please, and thank you your time is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hey Matt,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like you’re trying to add an audio track to your iMovie project but you’re running into an issue adjusting the length of the track. If you haven't already, try making audio waveforms visible in the Project browser as shown in the article linked below.
iMovie '11: Set the beginning and end of a sound or music clip
Using audio waveforms:
With audio waveforms visible in the Project browser, you can modify aspects of all the sound elements in your project in the same window. This feature is especially useful if you have many changes to make to your project’s audio.
These instructions apply to modifying the startpoints and endpoints of audio you’ve added to your project, or audio you’ve detached from video. These instructions don’t apply to modifying the audio recorded with, and still attached to, your video, or to modifying background music you’ve added.
With your project open, click the Audio Waveform button below the Project browser.
Waveforms for each of the sound elements in your project appear in green, blue, or purple bands below the video clips. Blue waveforms represent the sound that was recorded with your video. Green waveforms represent sounds and music you’ve added to your project. Purple waveforms represent voiceovers or audio that was detached from a video clip. Names appear in the top-left corner of each green or purple waveform to make it easy to identify them.
Select the sound clip you want to trim by clicking its name at the top of its waveform; the clip becomes outlined in yellow.
Move your pointer over either end of the clip so that it turns into a resize pointer (if the clip has a jagged edge, it means the clip is split onto two lines), and then do one or both of the following:
To set where the sound clip starts playing, drag its left edge to the right or left.
To set where the sound clip stops playing, drag its right edge to the right or left.
Cheers.
-Jason