How to Add Audio to YouTube Shorts

Adding the right sound to your YouTube Short can make the difference between a video that gets a few dozen views and one that gets seen by thousands. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add audio to your Shorts using every available method, from YouTube’s massive music library to your own original voiceovers.

Why Audio is a Game-Changer for YouTube Shorts

On platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok, audio isn’t just background noise - it’s a central part of the viewing experience. Trending sounds act as a fast lane to discoverability. When a snippet of a song or a funny soundbite goes viral, the YouTube algorithm actively pushes content using that sound to more viewers. Tapping into these trends is one of the most effective ways to grow your channel organically.

But it's not just about trends. The right audio sets the mood, adds emotional context, and can even become a signature part of your brand's style. A well-chosen track can make a simple tutorial feel more polished, a product demo more exciting, or a behind-the-scenes video more relatable. Simply put, mastering the audio in your Shorts is a non-negotiable skill for anyone serious about building a following on the platform.

How to Add Music &, Sounds Directly on the YouTube App

The most common and straightforward way to add audio is by using YouTube's built-in sound library. It’s packed with millions of licensed songs and popular sound effects, ensuring you won't run into copyright issues. Here's a step-by-step breakdown.

Step 1: Start Creating Your Short

Open the YouTube app and tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen. From the menu that appears, select "Create a Short." This will open the Shorts camera interface.

Step 2: Record or Upload Your Video Clip(s)

You have two choices here:

• Record on the spot: Point your camera and press the red record button to capture new footage. You can record one continuous clip or multiple shorter segments.
• Upload from your camera roll: Tap the small square icon in the bottom-left corner to access your phone's gallery and select a pre-recorded video.

Once you have your clip(s) ready, tap the checkmark button in the bottom-right corner to proceed to the editing screen.

Step 3: Tap the "Add sound" Button

At the top of the editing screen, you’ll see a large button labeled "Add sound." This is your gateway to YouTube's entire audio collection. Tapping this will open the audio library. If you recorded your video with an original sound you want to keep, you can skip this and move to the voiceover section or simply keep your original audio.

Step 4: Browse, Search, or Find Saved Sounds

The audio library gives you several ways to find the perfect track:

• For You: This is a personalized feed of recommended sounds based on your viewing history and what's popular in your region.
• Top sounds: This tab shows you what’s currently trending across the entire platform. This is the best place to look for viral audio clips.
• Search Bar: At the top, you can search for a specific artist, song title, or keyword (e.g., "lofi beats," "workout music," "funny sound effect").
• Saved: While watching Shorts, you can tap on the sound name at the bottom of the screen and hit "Save" to add it to your personal collection. This "Saved" option in the audio library is where you’ll find all those sounds you flagged for later.

Step 5: Preview and Select Your Audio

To hear a preview of any sound, simply tap on its title or cover art. To select it for your Short, tap the blue arrow button on the right. Once you pick a sound, YouTube will take you back to the editing screen, where you'll see your video synced with the new audio track.

Step 6: Adjust Your Audio

This is a critical step that many creators overlook. After selecting a sound, tap the "Adjust" button that appears at the top. This gives you two important controls:

• Trimming the Sound: A waveform of the audio will appear at the bottom. You can drag this left or right to choose which specific part of the song or sound you want to play during your Short. For a song, this means you can start at the chorus, the opening riff, or any 15-60 second segment you want.
• Adjusting the Volume: At the bottom of that screen, you'll see a mixer icon. Tapping it opens the volume controls. Here you can control the balance between the "Original sound" (the audio recorded with your video) and the "Added sound" (the music you just selected). If you want viewers to hear someone talking in your original clip, you might turn the original sound up and lower the music volume. If the music is the main event, slide the original sound level all the way down.

Step 7: Finalize and Publish

With your audio perfectly synced and mixed, you can proceed with the rest of the editing process. Add text, apply filters, and when you're ready, tap "Next." Write a compelling caption, add relevant hashtags, choose your visibility settings, and then hit "Upload Short."

Adding an Original Voiceover to Your Short

Storytelling, tutorials, and comedy skits often rely on voiceovers. YouTube makes this process simple to do right within the app.

Follow steps 1 and 2 from above to get your video clip into the editing screen. If you've shot the video with background noise you don't want, it's wise to first go to the Volume mixer (as described in step 6 above) and turn the "Original sound" all the way down. Then, look for the "Voiceover" button in the bottom toolbar.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Tap the Voiceover icon.
2. A timeline of your video will appear. Drag the white line to the point where you want your voiceover to begin.
3. Press and hold the red record button to record your audio. You can let go to stop recording, drag the timeline to a new spot, and press record again to add another segment.
4. If you mess up, you can use the undo button to remove the last take or tap and hold on a recorded segment to remove it.
5. Once you're happy with your voiceover, tap "Done."

Now, here's a pro tip: you can combine a voiceover with music! After you record your voiceover, you can still tap "Add Sound" and choose a background track. Just remember to go back to the volume mixer to find the right balance - typically, you’ll want the music to be quiet and the voiceover to be loud and clear.

Using Audio from Other YouTube Videos (The "Remix" Feature)

Ever see a sound on another Short or even a long-form video and wish you could use it? You can, and it's a great way to participate in trends or create a response video.

Remixing from a YouTube Short

When you're watching a Short, look at the bottom of the screen. You'll see the audio title scrolling. Tap on it. This will take you to the audio's dedicated page, showing all the other Shorts that have used the sound. At the bottom of this screen is a big red button that says "Use this sound." Tap it, and it will take you straight to the Shorts camera with that audio already loaded up, ready for you to record your own video over it.

Remixing from a Long-Form Video

Creators now have the option to allow their long-form video audio to be remixed. Below a standard YouTube video (the kind you watch horizontally or in the main feed), look for a row of buttons like "Like," "Share," and "Download." If the creator has enabled it, you'll also see a button that says "Remix." Tap this, and select "Sound." You can then choose up to 60 seconds of that video's audio to create a Short with. This is a powerful feature for creators, as anyone using your sound will give your original video automatic attribution, potentially driving traffic back to your main content.

Can You Add Custom Audio Before Uploading to YouTube?

Yes, you can edit your video in an external app like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut and add your own soundtrack or audio before uploading it as a Short. However, you need to be very careful about what audio you use.

If you use a popular, commercially licensed song (e.g., the latest hit from a major artist) in an external editor, YouTube’s Content ID system will almost certainly detect it and flag your video. This can lead to your Short being muted, blocked in certain countries, or having its monetization claimed by the music's copyright holder. In some cases, it can even result in a copyright strike against your channel.

Here's when it IS safe to add audio externally:

• Royalty-Free Music: If you use music from a subscription service like Epidemic Sound or Artlist where you've paid for a license, you are free to add it to your video.
• Your Original Audio: If you composed and recorded the music yourself, you own the copyright and can use it however you want.
• Externally Recorded Voiceovers: If you use a high-quality microphone to record your voiceover on a computer, you can edit it into your video with perfect precision before uploading.

Bottom line: for participating in trends that rely on popular songs, always use the native YouTube audio library. For building a unique brand sound with licensed music or high-quality voiceovers, external tools are a great option.

Tips for Making Your Audio Stand Out

• Match the Vibe: The audio should complement the visuals. An epic, cinematic track won't work for a casual cooking tutorial, just as a lighthearted ditty won't fit a dramatic storytelling video.
• Jump on Trends Quickly: Viral sounds have a short shelf life. If you notice a sound gaining traction, don't wait weeks to create your own version. The early movers often get the most algorithm love.
• Use Audio to Enhance a Punchline: A well-timed sound effect - like a dramatic gasp, a record scratch, or a punch - can make a funny moment even funnier.
• Create Your Own Trends: Don't be afraid to use an original sound clip from one of your own videos. If it's funny, insightful, or relatable enough, you could be the one to start the next viral audio trend yourself.

Final Thoughts

Adding the right audio is one of the highest leverage things you can do to improve the performance of your YouTube Shorts. Mastering the native sound library, timing your voiceovers correctly, and knowing when to use the Remix feature are skills that directly contribute to better engagement, wider reach, and a stronger brand on the platform.

All the effort that goes into creating a great Short deserves a consistent strategy behind it. At Postbase, we understand that crafting the content is only half the battle. Because we built our platform specifically for today's video-first social landscape, we made sure handling content like YouTube Shorts feels straightforward and intuitive. With Postbase, you can visually plan and schedule your Shorts on a content calendar, ensuring you post at the moments your audience is most active, without the headaches of posting everything manually.