How to Talk Over a Sound on TikTok

You've seen those brilliant TikToks where a creator tells a captivating story or offers sharp commentary while a trending sound plays quietly in the background, and you're ready to do it too. This guide gives you the exact steps to talk over any sound on TikTok, using the platform's own tools and a few simple strategies to make your content pop. We will cover the standard voiceover method, how to get the perfect audio mix, and how to fix the common glitches that trip people up.

Why Talking Over a Sound is a TikTok Superpower

Before we get into the how-to, let's touch on the why. Combining a trending sound with your original voiceover is one of the most effective ways to grow on TikTok. Here’s what makes it so powerful:

• Discoverability + Originality: You get the discoverability boost of a trending sound that the algorithm is already pushing, but you add your unique personality, story, or expertise on top. It’s the best of both worlds.
• Authority and Connection: Your voice builds a direct connection with your audience. They get to hear your tone, your passion, and your personality in a way that lip-syncing or dancing can’t replicate. It positions you as an expert, a storyteller, or a creator with a distinct point of view.
• Endless Content Formats: This technique is incredibly versatile. You can use it for bite-sized tutorials, hot takes on industry news, hilarious storytimes, product reviews, life-hack tips, and personal vlogs.

The Core Method: How to Use TikTok's Voiceover Tool

The main way to talk over a sound is by using TikTok's built-in "Voiceover" feature. It’s straightforward once you know where to look. Here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Find Your Sound and Record Your Video

First, find the audio you want to use. You can find it on your For You Page or search for it directly.

1. Find a video using the sound you like and tap the spinning circle icon at the bottom right.
2. On the sound’s page, tap the red "Use this sound" button at the bottom.
3. Now, record your video as you normally would. You can film clips directly in the app or upload a pre-recorded video from your camera roll. Don’t worry about the sound in your original video clips - we'll manage that in the next steps.
4. Once you're done recording or uploading, tap the red checkmark to move to the main editing screen.

Step 2: Access the Audio Editing Menu

This is where the magic happens. On the main editing screen, you’ll see a panel of icons on the right side of your screen. You’re looking for the audio editing options.

1. Look for an icon that says "Audio editing" or sometimes just a microphone or music note icon within a group. It’s usually located below the icons for Text, Stickers, and Effects.
2. Tap on it to open the audio editing studio.

Step 3: Record Your Voiceover

Inside the audio editing studio, you'll see a few options. The one you need is brightly labeled "Voiceover."

1. Tap the Voiceover icon (it usually looks like a microphone).
2. You'll now see your video timeline at the bottom. The first thing you should do is look for a small checkbox at the bottom left that says, "Keep original sound."
3. IMPORTANT: If you recorded a video with you talking or with background noise you don't want, uncheck this box. This will mute your original video clips, giving you a clean slate to record your voice. If you leave it on, you’ll record your new voiceover on top of your old audio, which can create an echo.
4. To record, simply press and hold the big red record button. You can slide the timeline to the exact point where you want your voiceover to start. You don't have to record it all in one go, you can record in short segments for better timing.
5. After you’ve recorded your voiceover, tap "Save" at the top right.

Step 4: Adjust the Volume Levels

You’re not done yet! The final and most important step is balancing the volume levels. You’ve returned to the main editing screen. Tap that "Audio editing" icon again.

This time, instead of tapping Voiceover, you'll see two volume sliders:

• Original sound: This slider controls the volume of your original video clips and the voiceover you just recorded.
• Added sound: This slider controls the volume of the trending sound you chose at the beginning.

To talk over the sound, you need to turn your voice up and the music down.

1. Drag the "Added sound" slider way down. A good starting point is between 5-15%. You want it just loud enough to be recognizable but not so loud that it competes with your voice.
2. Drag the "Original sound" (your voiceover) slider up to 100% or even higher if needed (some versions of the app allow up to 200%).
3. Play the video back to check the mix. Is your voice crystal clear? Is the background music adding ambiance without being distracting? Adjust until it feels right.

Once you’re happy with the mix, you can proceed to add text, captions, and then post your video!

Creative Strategies for Standout Voiceover Content

Knowing the technical steps is one thing, using them effectively is another. Here are some strategies to make your voiceover TikToks connect better with viewers.

Choose the Right Kind of Sound

Not all sounds are good for voiceovers. A song with loud, clear lyrics will clash with your voice and confuse the viewer. Instead, look for:

• Instrumental Tracks: Film scores, lo-fi beats, or instrumental versions of popular songs work perfectly. They set a mood without competing for attention.
• Atmospheric Sounds: Sounds described as "aesthetic," "calm," or "dramatic" often provide a great sonic backdrop for storytelling.
• Sounds with a Recognizable Drop or Beat: You can use the structure of the music as a storytelling device, timing your punchline or a key point to land right on a beat drop for a bigger impact.

Use On-Screen Text Strategically

Your voiceover is doing the heavy lifting, but on-screen text is a vital partner. People often watch videos on mute, and text helps your message land even without audio.

• Add a Hook: Use a bold text hook in the first three seconds to stop scrollers. For example, "The one mistake everyone makes when negotiating a salary…"
• Reinforce Key Points: As you say something important, have the text appear on screen to emphasize it. This helps with information retention and accessibility.
• Create Dynamic Captions: Use TikTok's text-to-speech or auto-caption features to make your video fully accessible and easier to follow.

Script Your Hook, Point, and CTA

Even a 15-second video benefits from a simple structure. Before you hit record, think about:

1. The Hook: What’s the first thing you’ll say to grab attention? Start with a question, a bold statement, or an intriguing problem.
2. The Point: What is the core message or story? Keep it concise and focused on delivering value or entertainment.
3. The CTA (Call to Action): What do you want the viewer to do next? "Follow for more tips," "Let me know your thoughts in the comments," or "Check out the link in my bio."

Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Quick Fixes

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are solutions to the most common voiceover issues.

• "There's an echo in my audio!"
  This almost always happens because you forgot to uncheck the "Keep original sound" box before recording your voiceover. Your new voice is layered on top of your old audio, causing the echo. Go back to the voiceover step and make sure that box is unchecked.
• "I can't hear the trending sound at all."
  You likely turned the "Added sound" volume slider all the way down to 0%. Go back to the volume settings and adjust it to around 5-15% so it's subtle but still present.
• "My voice is too quiet."
  Check two things. First, make sure you spoke clearly and held your phone’s microphone close to you. Second, go back to the volume editor and crank the "Original sound" slider up as high as it will go.
• "The TikTok editor is clunky for precise timing."
  You're not wrong. For more advanced editing, many creators record and edit their video with the voiceover already included using an app like CapCut. After exporting the finished video, they upload it to TikTok, choose the trending sound, and then turn the "Added sound" volume down to just 1%. This lets you get the credit and discoverability for the sound while maintaining perfect editing control.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the voiceover technique opens up a whole new world of content creation on TikTok. By layering your unique voice and perspective over trending sounds, you're not just participating in culture, you're adding to it in a meaningful way that builds community and establishes your brand.

Once you get comfortable creating this style of content, consistency becomes the next big goal. At Postbase, we designed our platform to take the stress out of managing a busy content calendar. Our visual planner lets you drag-and-drop your video ideas, schedule posts for TikTok and other short-form platforms, and see your entire strategy weeks in advance, helping you turn creative moments into a consistent, growing presence.

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