How to Add External Audio to a Video with VLC: Temporary/Permanent

Part 1. How to Temporarily Play a Video with an External Audio Track in VLC

If your goal is just to quickly check if an external audio track (like a downloaded dub or commentary) syncs up with your video, VLC lets you load the audio file temporarily without changing the original video file itself.

1. Open the Video

Open VLC Media Player and go to the Media menu at the top of the screen. Select Open Multiple Files... from the dropdown menu. Then, in the Open Media dialog, click the Add button to upload your video file.

2. Load the Audio File

Click the Show more options button at the bottom of the window to reveal more settings. Then, check the box for Play another media synchronously. Click the Browse button next to the to select your external audio file.

3. Play the Video with an Audio Track

Once both the video and audio files are added, click the Play button. The video will now play with the newly loaded audio track alongside the video's visuals.

Using the ‘Open Multiple Files’ method in VLC to temporarily load an external audio track is, in my opinion, the simplest and fastest way to check audio sync. What I like most is its non-destructive nature: it doesn't touch the original video file, making it perfect for quickly testing whether a downloaded dub will sync up with my video. While the setting is temporary, it is undoubtedly the preferred solution for scenarios where I need a quick check and want to make precise, millisecond-level sync adjustments.

Part 2. How to Permanently Add an Audio Track in VLC by Convert/Save

If you want your new audio track to be heard whenever the video is played on any device, you must use VLC's encoding process to create a new video file with the audio permanently merged.

1. Upload Video File

Open VLC Media Player and select the Convert/Save option under the Media menu. In the Open Media window, click the Add button to select your video file.

2. Add Audio Track

Check the box for Play another media synchronously, and then click the Browse button to select the audio file you want to use.

3. Set Output Profile

Click the Browse button under Destination to choose where to save the new file and give it a name ending with the chosen format, such as .mp4. Finally, click the Start button to begin the conversion process. VLC will then merge the video and the new audio track, saving it as a new file at your chosen destination.

Using VLC to merge a video with an external audio track is surprisingly simple and effective. The process only takes a few minutes, and the ability to export in MP4 format makes it compatible with most platforms. The ‘Play another media synchronously’ option is a hidden gem, which lets you sync audio without needing advanced editing software. Just make sure your audio and video are roughly aligned in duration for best results.

Part 3. How to Add One/Multiple Audio Tracks with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate

While VLC is a versatile free tool, its conversion feature can be slow, complex, and sometimes introduce syncing or encoding errors. For creators and users who need a more stable, user-friendly, and reliable solution, a dedicated professional video processing tool, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, is often a better investment of time.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Import the Video File

Download and install the software, then run it. Click the Add Files button or simply drag and drop your video file into the program window.

2. Add Audio Track

Next to the imported video file, click the Edit button and then navigate to the Audio tab. Click the + button to add the audio file you desire to the video, then click the OK button to save the change.

Note: It also allows you to adjust the delay and volume of the audio before exporting.

3. Export the New File

Finally, in the bottom-left corner, click the Output Format button to select a suitable format and the Save to drop-down menu to choose the destination. Then, click the Convert All button to finish the process of merging the new audio track.

In my personal experience, the biggest advantage of using AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate for adding audio tracks is its focus on efficiency and precision, which dramatically surpasses the complex process in VLC. It provides a professional, centralized audio management interface. I especially value the Delay function, which allows me to precisely correct any audio-video sync issues down to the millisecond. And the entire operation is streamlined and intuitive.

Part 4. FAQs