You’ve created an amazing video for TikTok, but when you go to upload it, it’s just got your voice in the background, not any nifty sounds. While this can add a natural touch and resonate with your viewers depending on your content and their expectations, it can often leave a lot to be desired.
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Luckily, there are a few ways to add audio to your video that will likely make it more entertaining and engaging. Join us as we delve into how to make a sound on TikTok.
What is a Sound on TikTok?
If you browse some TikTok videos, you’ll see that pretty much every video has audio. This can simply be the creator’s voice but often consists of original audio that either they’ve created or taken from someone else’s video (this is allowed on TikTok).
Using trending sounds or customized audio can be very effective in helping your video to rank better, as most TikTok users prioritize watching videos with sound, as they consider them the best type of content.
When users go to their ‘For You’ page, videos with sounds that they’ve listened to before are more likely to show up. This means your video has a better chance of being watched if it contains popular audio.
How to Add a Sound on TikTok
The easiest way to add audio to your video is to use a sound that already exists. Follow these steps to find out how.
Step 1: Open TikTok and Create a Video
Open the TikTok App and hit the plus icon at the bottom to start creating a video.
Step 2: Find a Sound
Now you can hit the Add sound button at the top of the screen. Here, you’ll see a search bar where you can search for a particular sound, see suggested sounds and see your favorites and your own sounds. If you hit the bookmark icon next to a sound, you can save it for later use.
Step 3: Select a Sound
If you tap a sound, a tick icon will appear to the right. Tap this, and you’ll be able to add the sound to your video.
Step 4: Record Your Video
Now you can record your video, with the audio playing in the background.
Step 5: Edit the Audio
Step 6: Save the Video
Once you’re happy with your edited video, hit the Save button in the top right corner. You can now hit the Next button at the bottom, and continue to create your post as usual.
How to Make Your Own Sound on TikTok
While using trending sounds can be effective and easy, sometimes you might want to make your own sound. This is particularly handy if you’re a musician, comedian, or somebody who uses their own voice in their videos.
Making the video unique with your own customized sound is a great way to build your presence. Follow these steps to do this.
Step 1: Create a Video
Like before, tap the plus to start making a video. Record your video, then tap the tick icon to go to the next step.
Step 2: Adjust your Background Noise
Here, you can use the Noise reducer function to help reduce ambient noise in your sound.
Step 3: Go to Audio Editing
If you tap the three horizontal dots, you can see the Audio editing icon at the bottom. Tap this to bring up the audio editing interface.
Step 4: Edit Your Sound
Now, you can add different filters to your sound, which are particularly useful if it’s a recording of your own voice. These can change how your voice sounds and can help set the tone and mood of your video.
How to Rename Your TikTok Sound
Once you’re happy with the editing of your sound, you can hit Next and post your video as usual. If you want to rename your sound, either for your personal use or so others can find it, you can do so. Check out these steps on how to rename it.
Step 1: Find Your Video
On your profile, locate the video that contains the sound you want to rename. Tap on the video.
Step 2: Tap the Spinning Profile Icon
In the bottom right corner, there will be a spinning record icon with your profile photo in the middle. If this isn’t here right after uploading, you may have to wait a few minutes. Hit this icon.
Step 3: Go to the Name Editing Page
On this page, you’ll see all the videos that have used your sound, as well as be able to rename your sound. To do this, hit the pencil icon to the right of the sound name at the top.
Step 4: Name Your Sound
Now, you can type the desired name for your sound in the box, and hit Save. This sound will now have this new name on your videos and when other people use it.
How to Reuse Your TikTok Sound
If you like how your new TikTok sound… sounds, then you can reuse it very easily. This is how to do it.
Step 1: Go to the Sound Page
Like before, hit the spinning record icon to be brought to the page for that sound.
Step 2: Use the Sound
Hit the Use this sound button at the bottom, and you’ll be brought to the video creation page. The sound you selected has now been added, so you can record your new video.
How to Make a TikTok Sound Without a Video
Maybe you want to create a new sound to test out, but you don’t want to go through the effort of recording a video. You might just not want to show your face either.
In that case, you can actually make a new sound without having to record a video of yourself or show it to the world. Find out how below.
Step 1: Play the Sound
Find the sound you want to add to TikTok on your phone and start playing.
Step 2: Open Screen Recording
Now, you’ll have to record your screen to get a recording with the audio playing. On iPhone, you can do this by opening your Settings, then Control Center, and tapping the Add button. Next, open the control center, hit the grey Record button, and begin recording. Tap the red Record button to stop the recording.
On Android, you’ll have to scroll down twice on the home page to find the screen recording button. Tap this to begin your recording. Depending on the model, this feature may not be available. If you don’t find this option, don’t worry, there’s another way! We’ll describe this process after these steps.
Step 3: Upload Your Video
Open the TikTok app, and press Upload on your profile page. Select your recording, and tap Next.
Step 4: Adjust Sound and Save
Just as before, you can adjust your sound and then hit Save to finish creating it. Post the video as usual, and rename the sound if you wish.
How to Record Your Screen with a Third-party App
If native screen recording isn’t built into your device, you can use a third-party app to achieve this instead. This method is illustrated below.
Step 1: Download the XRecorder App
Go to the app store on your device, and search for Screen Recorder – XRecorder. Download and install the app.
Step 2: Open XRecorder
Open the app. You may have to allow permission for the app to record and be visible on your screen. Allow this by toggling the switch to the right.
Step 3: Begin recording
Now, you should see the XRecorder icon on your home screen, to the right. If you press this, a range of buttons will appear. You may have to allow the app to access your microphone and camera. Press the top button, the red dot, to begin recording your screen. Then, start playing the audio of your choice.
Step 4: Finish the Recording
You can temporarily pause the recording by pressing the pause icon, or you can stop it completely by hitting the red square stop button. The video will be saved in your phone gallery, in a folder called XRecorder0. Then you can upload your video to TikTok and edit your sound as in the previous steps.
How to Make a Sound Private
Sometimes, you want to experiment with creating a sound before you want the whole world to see it. If you’re interested in this, find out how to do it next.
Step 1: Find Your Sound
Find the video that contains the sound you want, and tap on the video.
Step 2: Go to the Privacy Settings
Hit the Privacy settings button in the bottom right corner.
Step 3: Change the Privacy Settings
Now, you can tap Who can watch this video and change the settings to Only me. Now nobody but you can view this video and sound.
Wrapping Up
Making a sound on TikTok is easier than you think, once you know the steps to follow. While making use of a pre-existing trending sound can work well, sometimes it makes more sense to use your own voice or music.
Luckily, this is straightforward, whether you want to record external audio or audio playing on your phone. It’s also useful that you can upload a video privately, letting you experiment with editing your sound without having to go public with it just yet.
Up Next
- How to Make a Playlist on TikTok (With Photos)How to Remove a TikTok Filter (With Photos)How to Save TikTok Videos, with Photos
