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# How to Adjust Variable Audio Volume Levels in Camtasia
- URL: https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-adjust-variable-audio-volume-levels-in-camtasia/
- Published: 2020-06-12T09:57:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-21T08:35:35.000Z
- Description: Learn to use volume keyframes in Camtasia
- Author: Cristi Cotovan
- Tags: camtasia

When you have [background music](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-add-background-music-in-camtasia-tutorial-for-beginners/) running under narration in [Camtasia](https://cotovan.com/camtasia), you need the music to dip when someone is speaking and come back up in the gaps. You can do this entirely by hand using volume keyframes — no audio effects required.

**Watch the full walkthrough:**

## Set Up the Timeline

Import your narration clips and a music track into the Media Bin, then drag them onto the [Camtasia timeline](https://cotovan.com/post/working-with-the-timeline-in-camtasia-editing-clips-in-a-camtasia-project-camtasia-tutorial/). Place the music on one track and the narration clips on a separate track so they overlap in time.

![Camtasia timeline showing a music track (Autumn Rain) on Track 2 with a Voice track below containing Narration 1](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-timeline-music-narration-tracks.jpg)

Music on Track 2, narration on the Voice track — both visible with waveforms

Rename your tracks (double-click the track name) so you can tell them apart at a glance. Make the music track taller by dragging the top edge — this reveals the green volume line that runs across the clip.

## Add Volume Keyframes

Click the music clip to select it. You'll see a green line running horizontally across the waveform — this is the volume level for that track. To create a volume dip around a narration section, you need four keyframe points:

1. **Double-click** on the green line just before the narration starts — this is where the music begins to lower
2. **Double-click** again where the narration actually begins — this is the start of the quiet section
3. **Double-click** where the narration ends — this is the end of the quiet section
4. **Double-click** just after the narration — this is where the music returns to full volume

![Camtasia timeline zoomed in showing four green keyframe points on the music track volume line](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-volume-keyframe-points-on-track-1.jpg)

Four keyframe points placed on the volume line — two outer points stay at full volume, two inner points will be pulled down

Each double-click creates an inflection point (keyframe) on the volume line. You can place as many as you need along the clip.

## Adjust the Volume Levels

Now drag the two inner keyframe points downward. You don't want to [mute the audio](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-mute-audio-in-camtasia-camtasia-silence-audio-tutorial-for-absolute-beginners/) completely — lowering the music to about 25–30% keeps a pleasant bed under the narration without competing with the voice.

![Camtasia volume line pulled down to 42% between two keyframe points, creating a V-shaped dip](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-volume-dip-adjusted-42-percent.jpg)

The inner points dragged down to lower the music volume — the percentage label shows the current level

Preview the result and fine-tune as needed. If the transition sounds too abrupt, slide the outer keyframe points further apart to create a more gradual ramp. If the music is still too loud during speech, drag the inner points lower.

## Adjust an Entire Section at Once

Instead of dragging each keyframe individually, you can drag the line *between* two points. This moves the entire section up or down while keeping both endpoints locked in place horizontally — so you won't accidentally shift the timing.

Repeat this process for every narration clip on your timeline. Each section gets its own set of four keyframe points.

![Camtasia timeline zoomed out showing three narration clips with corresponding volume dips on the music track](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/camtasia-multiple-volume-dips-overview-1.jpg)

The finished result — three separate volume dips aligned with each narration clip

## Tips

- You can move keyframe points after placing them by dragging them left or right along the volume line
- If you want the [audio to fade](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-fade-audio-in-and-out-in-camtasia/) more gradually, space the outer and inner keyframes further apart
- This technique works on any audio clip — not just music. You can use it to selectively lower or raise volume on narration, sound effects, or ambient audio
- For an automated version of this workflow, try the [Audio Emphasize effect](https://cotovan.com/post/camtasia-audio-ducking-emphasize-effect/) which does volume ducking automatically when it detects speech

### Related guides

[Master Audio Transitions and Keyframes in CamtasiaGetting clean audio transitions in Camtasia is essential for professional-sounding videos. Whether you need a smooth fade in at the start, a fade out at the end, or precise volume control throughout your project, Camtasia’s audio tools make it straightforward. Setting Up Your Audio Start by importing your audio file![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-29.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/thumbnail/camtasia-audio-transitions-keyframes-feature.webp)](https://cotovan.com/post/camtasia-audio-transitions-keyframes/)

[How to restore the audio points on a videoclip in Camtasia after Silence AudioHave you lost your audio in Camtasia? How to restore the audio that you silenced - three methods to bring back or unmute the audio stream on a clip that has been muted or that you have used ‘Silence audio’ on. In this quick tip video I show you how![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-30.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/thumbnail/70_how-to-restore-the-audio-points-on-a-videoclip-in-camtasia-after-silence-audio-1.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-restore-the-audio-points-on-a-videoclip-in-camtasia-after-silence-audio/)

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