How to Make a Slideshow with Music and Pictures

Paul Skidmore
Co-authored with Paul Skidmore

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 video 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 video from pictures with background audio.

Having the technical knowledge to assemble a presentation with audio properly can make all the difference in composing an effective and memorable slideshow.

how we test products

How we chose the slideshow makers

To ensure the accuracy of our guide on how to make a photo slideshow with music for free, we conducted a thorough testing process.

First, we gathered a variety of pictures and music files to use in the slideshow. We then used several different free software programs to create a slideshow and tested each for ease of use, functionality, and overall quality of the final product.

Thanks to our research, we are able to provide you with accurate instructions and outline the pros and cons of each method. This will help you confidently choose the best way to compile a slideshow with music and pictures for free.

Application OS Output quality Our ranking
Icecream Slideshow Maker
Windows
High
5.0
Windows Movie Maker
Windows
Fair
4.5
Clipchamp
Windows
Mac
High
4.5
Canva
Web
Fair
4.0

1. Icecream Slideshow Maker

Icecream Slideshow Maker is the free presentation builder. It is available for Windows OS and allows you to create high-quality slideshow in just a few minutes.

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

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

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

Icecream Slideshow Maker 1.

Step 3. Customize the slides. Set the transition effects between the slides and their duration along with the slide duration (can be applied to each photo individually or to all images in the queue).

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

Icecream Slideshow Maker 2.

Step 4. Right about time to add music to your slideshow by clicking the "Add audio" button under the preview player. All popular formats 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 track to play continuously, apply audio fades, and offset if necessary.

Icecream Slideshow Maker 3.

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

Icecream Slideshow Maker 4.

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

Icecream Slideshow Maker 5.

Additional tools

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

Pros:

  • Great functionality even in the free version of a slideshow maker;
  • Flexible settings that will be understandable to beginners;
  • A number of options, settings, and presets;
  • High speed of converting and saving files;
  • Low demand for technical capabilities of your computer.

2. Windows Movie Maker

Movie Maker is a free video editing software for Windows users. It can also be used to make a slide presentation from photos. Here's what you need to do:

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

Windows Movie Maker 1.

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

Windows Movie Maker 2.

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

Windows Movie Maker 3.

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

Windows Movie Maker 4.

Step 5. To add music, press "Edit soundtrack". There you can insert music or voice over from your PC or use stock sounds. After the track is added, trim it or lay effects over it.

Windows Movie Maker 5.

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 images, and then dragging them left or right on the timeline until they are just the way you want them.

Windows Movie Maker 6.

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

Windows Movie Maker 7.

Pros:

  • It's free and easy to download.
  • Slideshow maker has a simple user interface.
  • Wide choice of transitions.
  • Ability to add voiceovers and presence of built-in tracks.

Cons:

  • No visual effects adjustments.
  • Audio overlay is impossible.
  • The video editor may be slow and lag when working with large files or complex projects.

3. 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 make beautiful presentations. Here is the instruction on how to make a picture slideshow with music with this software:

Step 1. Launch the application.

Clipchamp 1.

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

Clipchamp 2.

Step 3. Add your own pictures, audio, and video from your library or use 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 image to adjust colors, filters, and effects.

Clipchamp 3.

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

Clipchamp 4.

Step 5. Preview your project before you export it.

Clipchamp 5.

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

Clipchamp 6.

Pros:

  • Free to use, so you don't have to worry about paying for an expensive video editing program.
  • You can create a captivating slideshow with music in just a few minutes.
  • Video slideshow maker offers a range of features, including typing text, creating transitions, and adding background music.
  • You can export the slideshow in 4K.

Cons:

  • Only supports exporting your presentation in MP4 format.
  • You can't add animations to your slides.
  • No editing of existing videos or images.
  • Exporting video takes a long time.

4. Canva

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

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

Canva 1.

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.

Canva 2.

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

Canva 3.

Step 4. Click "Uploads" to add songs for each slide or for the entire slideshow. Set the audio effects, beat sync, and adjust the volume.

Canva 4.

Step 5. Customize transitions between slides if desired.

Canva 5.

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

Canva 6.

Pros:

  • Cross-platform slideshow maker, so you can have access to your works from any device.
  • You can customize the look of your slides with backgrounds, fonts, colors, and more.
  • You can easily share your slideshows online or export them in different formats.
  • Convenient autosave and collaboration features.

Cons:

  • Most of the slideshow templates and stock images are not free.
  • You cannot change the size of a template after you start working with it.
  • Limited customization of images and shapes.

FAQ

What type of music should I use in my slideshow?
If you're making a slideshow with music, you can use any song you want, as long as it's suitable for the occasion and doesn't contain any copyrighted material.
Can I add voiceovers to my slideshow?
Yes, some slideshow creators offer the possibility to capture and embed audio narrations into the slideshows. You can also use 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 in a slideshow?
High-resolution photos (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 software you're using. Some apps may have limits on the number of photos you can include while other applications may not have any limit at all.

Tips

  1. Start with your visuals. Select your photos and videos before you begin creating a slideshow with music.
  2. Choose a theme. Slideshow templates will guide the creation of your presentation, and can serve as a connection between the images.
  3. Keep it simple. With slideshows, less is more. Leave the slideshow short, concise, and to the point.
  4. Add music. Music helps create a mood and adds emotion to your presentation. Choose something meaningful for the images or videos you have picked out.
  5. Think about timing. The timing of your music should match the timing of the slides. Aim for a few seconds per slide, and adjust if necessary.
  6. Balance audio levels. Make sure that the music is not overpowering the visuals by adjusting the volume levels accordingly.
  7. Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with transitions, effects, or other tools available in the software you are using to create the slideshow.
  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 sharing your slideshow make sure you take the time to view it yourself and check that everything looks and sounds right.

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 make a slideshow for free.

To ensure your slideshow 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 slideshow. 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 creator that works best for you, and get started creating your own masterpiece!

Alexandra Meyer

Editor-in-Chief at Icecream Apps

With experience spanning over several years, Alexandra Meyer holds the esteemed position of editor-in-chief at Icecream Apps. Originally involved in the website's establishment in 2014, Alexandra now ensures the maintenance of the company's exceptional content standards across their various projects. Specializing in technology, software, online services, and human resources, she has extensively written and edited numerous articles on these subjects.

Co-authors

Paul Skidmore

Paul Skidmore

Tech Writer and Photography Aficionado

6 min read
Paul Skidmore
Co-authored with Paul Skidmore
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