How to Make a Sound on TikTok

Creating a sound that catches on is one of the fastest ways to grow your presence on TikTok. But how do you go from an idea to an actual, usable audio clip other people can add to their videos? This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from recording a sound directly in the app to uploading polished audio from an external editor, plus strategies to help your sound take off.

Why Original Sounds Are a Game-Changer on TikTok

Ever notice the little spinning record icon at the bottom of a TikTok video? When you tap it, you’re taken to a page with every video that has used that specific sound. If the text says "original sound - [Your Username]," it means that user is the creator of that audio clip. This direct attribution is a powerful tool for creators and brands.

Creating a popular original sound links your account directly to a trend. Every person who uses your sound is essentially promoting your profile. Viewers who enjoy the trend will tap on the sound, see that you started it, head to your profile, and - if your content is a good match for them - give you a follow. It builds authority, brand recognition, and can be a massive engine for organic growth far beyond a single viral video.

Method 1: Creating a Sound Directly in the TikTok App

This is the simplest and most common way to create an original sound. All you need is your phone and the TikTok app. It’s perfect for capturing spontaneous moments, funny voiceovers, or simple audio clips on the fly.

Step 1: Record Your Video

The first thing to understand is that TikTok doesn't let you create a sound without an associated video. The video is the vessel for your sound. To get started, open the TikTok app and tap the "+" icon at the bottom to enter creation mode.

Record a video as you normally would. You can hold down the red record button or set a timer. This video can be anything - you could be talking to the camera, showcasing a product, or pointing your camera at a blank wall. What you say or the sounds happening in the background will become your original audio. Don't worry about the video being perfect, you're just using it to get the sound onto the platform.

Step 2: Edit and Enhance Your Audio (Optional)

Once you’ve recorded your clip and moved to the editing screen (by tapping the checkmark), you can refine your audio to make it more engaging.

• Voiceover: Tap the "Audio editing" icon (it looks like a microphone or sound wave) on the right-side menu. Here, you can record a voiceover. This is incredibly useful for creating tutorial-style sounds, narration clips ("storytime"), or funny skits. You can replace the original video's audio entirely by dragging the toggle down for "Original sound" and recording your new track.
• Voice Effects: After recording a voiceover or just using your video's native audio, you can tap on the voiceover clip and use TikTok's "Voice effects" to sound like a chipmunk, an elf, or add an echo. These simple effects can turn a bland clip into something memorable and funny.
• Text-to-Speech: You can also create a sound using TikTok’s text reading feature. Add a text overlay, tap on it, and select the "Text-to-speech" option. The automated voice becomes part of your video's sound.

Step 3: Post the Video

After you’ve finalized your video and audio, proceed to the posting screen. Fill out your caption, add relevant hashtags, and then hit "Post."

As soon as the video is live, the sound is officially created! If you look at the bottom of your published video, you'll see the text "original sound - [Your Username]" with the spinning record icon next to it. Congratulations, you’ve made a TikTok sound.

Step 4: Rename Your Sound

By default, TikTok names your creation as mentioned above. But a generic name doesn’t do much to encourage others to use it. Giving it a catchy, descriptive name makes it more discoverable and understandable.

Here’s how to rename it:

1. Go to the video containing your newly created sound.
2. Tap the spinning record icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. This takes you to the sound page. You'll see a small pencil icon next to the generic "original sound..." name.
4. Tap the pencil, type in your new name, and hit "Save."

Pro Tip: Pick a name that’s memorable and tells people what the sound is about. For example, instead of "Original Sound," use something like "My Dog Hates Vacuums" or "Gen Z Corporate Lingo Pt. 2". This makes it much easier for people to find and understand.

Method 2: Uploading a Polished Sound from an External Editor

Sometimes, the raw audio you can create in-app isn't enough. If you want to mix music, sophisticated sound effects, or high-quality dialogue, you'll need to create the audio outside of TikTok and upload it. You can't upload *only* an audio file, but the process is still straightforward.

Step 1: Create and Export Your Audio File

Use any audio editing software you're comfortable with. This could be a free program like Audacity or GarageBand, or a professional one like Adobe Audition.

• Record your voice-over, interview clip, or original piece of music.
• Clean it up by removing background noise and any filler words like "um" or "uh."
• Add background music or sound effects to give it more energy.
• Export the final product as an MP3 or WAV file.

Step 2: Attach Your Audio to a Video

Now, you need to combine your polished audio file with a video file. Use a video editing app like CapCut (very popular with TikTok creators), InShot, Adobe Premiere Rush, or whatever tool you prefer.

1. Start a new project in your video editor.
2. Import a simple visual element. This can be a static image of your brand logo, a generic stock video clip, a looping animation, or even just a black screen. The video’s main purpose is to be a container for your sound, so don’t overthink it. Make sure the video is at least as long as your audio clip.
3. Import your audio file (the MP3 or WAV you created).
4. Add the audio track to the video timeline.
5. Export the entire project as a single video file (MP4).

Step 3: Upload the Video to TikTok

You’re now ready to bring your sound into the TikTok ecosystem.

• Open the TikTok app and tap the "+" icon.
• Choose the "Upload" option and select the video file you just exported from your editing software.
• Trim it if necessary and proceed to the post screen. Do not add any of TikTok’s commercial music on top of it, as that will override your original audio.
• Write your caption and post the video.

Once it's live, your high-quality, pre-edited sound is officially on TikTok. You can then follow Step 4 from Method 1 to rename it to something strategic and memorable.

Best Practices for Creating Original Sounds that Stick

Making a sound is easy, but making one that people want to use requires a little strategy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Keep It Short and Loopable

The best TikTok sounds are brief, typically between 7-15 seconds. This is the sweet spot for viewer attention spans. Additionally, sounds that loop seamlessly are incredibly satisfying and can encourage people to re-watch videos made with them, boosting your metrics.

Make It Relatable or Emotional

Sounds that capture a universal experience, a common frustration ("When my boss schedules another meeting..."), an inside joke for a niche community, or a genuinely funny take tend to perform incredibly well. People use sounds to express themselves, so give them tools they can see themselves using.

Think About the Visual Application

Don't just think about what the sound *is*, think about what people can *do* with it. Is it a sound for a face filter transformation? Is it a "point to the text on screen" explainer sound? Are the lyrics perfect for a before-and-after reveal? The most successful sounds inspire creators with a clear visual idea.

Create a Prompt or Call-and-Response

Design a sound that practically begs for a response. Ask a question ("Tell me you're a small business owner without telling me..."), create a sound with pauses for someone to Duet and "answer," or make the first half of a famous movie line for someone else to act out. These formats have a built-in interactive element.

How to Promote Your Sound So It Catches On

Your work isn't done after you post. Now you have to give your new sound a nudge to get it going.

• Use It Again (and Again): Once you've created a sound, use it yourself in several different videos over the next few days. Show people different ways it can be interpreted. This seeds the idea and proves its versatility.
• Make the Trend Obvious: On your first couple of videos using the sound, use text overlays to explain the trend. Example: "Use this sound to show your glow-up from 2020 to today." This removes the guesswork for other creators.
• Use Naming and Hashtags Wisely: Give your sound a clear, searchable name and use relevant hashtags in your initial videos, like #newtrendalert, #trendingsound, or something specific to the audio, like #corporatelife.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own sound on TikTok is one of the most effective ways to build an organic connection with your audience and establish your unique brand voice. Whether it's a quick voiceover or a carefully crafted brand anthem, converting your ideas to usable audio is your ticket to starting the next big trend.

Once you get into the rhythm of creating original content like new sounds, keeping it all straight can be a challenge. With a platform like Postbase, planning and scheduling is a breeze. The visual content calendar is perfect for getting a bird's-eye view of your entire rollout strategy for a new original sound, helping you schedule a series of videos to push it into the zeitgeist. Since Postbase was built for today's social media, it handles video and other short-form content with ease, meaning you no longer have to wrestle with tools designed for a different era.