Step-by-Step Lesson

Step 1: What Problem Does Instant Soundtracks Solve?

When creating videos, adding matching music and sound effects is time-consuming and requires technical skill.

Instant Soundtracks automates this process by:

• Watching your video
• Generating original music that fits the mood
• Automatically placing sound effects at the right moments

💡 Think of it as an AI composer + sound designer working together on your video.

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Step 2: What Is Instant Soundtracks?

Instant Soundtracks is a feature inside ElevenCreative (a product by ElevenLabs) that does two things simultaneously when you upload a video:

Example:

A logo appears at the end of an ad → the model automatically adds a "whoosh" sound timed exactly to that moment.

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Step 3: Key Features Explained

🎯 Feature 1: Automatic Sound Effect Placement

• The model watches the video for moments that need a sound effect
• Effects are placed on the timeline automatically
• No manual syncing required

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🎵 Feature 2: Audio-as-Reference

You can use your video's existing audio as a guide for the new score.

The model analyzes:

• Genre
• Beats per minute (BPM)
• Crescendos
• Instrumentation

Result: New music that matches the character of the original audio, rather than starting from scratch.

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✂️ Feature 3: Better Short-Form Timing

Designed specifically for short-form video (think TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts):

• Tighter timing around cuts and transitions
• Music mood shifts between scenes

Example:

Fast-paced scene → EDM or R&B Slow, intimate scene → Acoustic guitar

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🎛️ Feature 4: Editing Control in the Music Video Editor

After generation, you are not locked in. You can:

• Review sound effects on separate layers
• Adjust timing
• Add more effects
• Swap out music
• Refine individual moments
• Export directly from ElevenCreative

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Step 4: How to Access Instant Soundtracks

There are three ways to use it:

Option 1: ElevenCreative (Beginner-Friendly)

• Go to the Music Video Editor inside ElevenCreative's music tab
• Sound effects appear as a separate layer
• Includes audio-as-reference controls

Option 2: ElevenMusic Platform

• Access directly through the ElevenMusic platform

Option 3: ElevenLabs API (For Developers)

Use these new parameters:

add_sfx              → adds sound effects
separate_tracks      → returns music + SFX as separate files in a .ZIP
use_audio_as_reference → uses existing audio to shape the new score

📦 With separate_tracks=true, you get a .ZIP file to mix audio in your own pipeline.

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Step 5: Technical Limits to Know

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Quick Recap

Upload Video
     ↓
AI Scores it with Original Music
     ↓
AI Analyzes Footage for Sound Effect Cues
     ↓
Effects Placed Automatically on Timeline
     ↓
You Refine in Editor (optional)
     ↓
Export Final Video

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✅ Check Your Understanding

1. What are the two main things Instant Soundtracks generates?
2. What does the audio-as-reference feature do?
3. Name two ways you can access Instant Soundtracks.
4. What does the API parameter separate_tracks=true return?
5. What are the file size and video length limits for API requests?

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🎓 You now understand what Instant Soundtracks is, how its core features work, and how to access it across different platforms.