On Tuesday, Instagram unveiled a new feature for Reels, allowing users to incorporate multi-track audio. This announcement follows comments from the platform’s head, Adam Mosseri, regarding the company’s commitment to emphasizing short-form content over longer videos. The new capability lets users enhance their Reels by adding multiple audio tracks, facilitating creative audio mixes directly from their smartphones.
Instagram Introduces Multi-Audio Track Feature
Mosseri shared details about the multi-audio track feature in a post on Instagram, revealing that users can now add up to 20 audio tracks to individual Reels. This enhancement offers users increased creative flexibility, allowing them to align audio seamlessly with text and incorporate various elements like stickers and clips. Additionally, audio tracks can be layered, with the app providing a fade effect for smoother transitions.
In promoting the feature, Instagram stated, “With the flexibility to pair the right tracks with the right clips at the right time, one can express their creativity the way that feels right for them and their audience.”
When users create a mix, it will be saved with their attribution, allowing others to reuse these mixed audio clips. The feature is launching for users in India starting today; however, some staff from Gadgets 360 reported they were unable to access it, suggesting the rollout may occur in phases.
Shift Towards Short-Form Content
The introduction of multi-track support coincides with Mosseri’s announcement regarding Instagram’s renewed focus on short-form content. According to him, when users encounter engaging short video clips, they are likely to share them with friends who have similar interests. This approach is believed to fulfill two interconnected goals: fostering connections among users and enabling exploration of shared interests.
Consequently, the platform will give greater priority to short-form content, moving away from longer formats. The previously established IGTV, which allowed users to upload videos up to an hour long, was phased out in 2022 as Instagram shifted its focus to short-form content, particularly with the launch of Instagram Reels the previous year.
