How to Use Two Songs on TikTok

Using two different songs in a single TikTok video can instantly make it more dynamic, funny, or emotionally resonant. Whether you're creating a dramatic before-and-after reveal or jumping on a trend that requires a sudden mood shift, combining sounds is a powerful editing trick. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add two songs to your TikTok videos, covering both the easy in-app method and a more advanced technique for greater creative control.

Why Bother Using Two Songs on a TikTok?

You might be wondering if it's worth the extra effort. Absolutely. Adding a second sound isn't just a gimmick, it's a storytelling tool. When a video maintains the same audio from start to finish, the viewer's experience is linear. But when you introduce a sound change, you create a turning point - a "plot twist" that grabs attention and adds a layer of professionalism to your content.

Here are a few popular reasons creators combine sounds:

• Storytelling and Transformation: This is the classic use case. Start with a quiet, slow, or somber song to show the "before" state (a messy room, a project in progress, a pre-makeover look). Then, cut to a high-energy, celebratory "beat drop" or an entirely new upbeat song for the "after" reveal. This audio-visual punch makes the transformation feel much more impactful.
• Comedic Punchlines: Layering sounds is a golden opportunity for comedy. You can set up a joke with a serious, dramatic sound and then cut to a silly, absurd, or goofy sound effect or song for the punchline. The audio contrast is often what makes the joke land.
• Creating Custom Mashups: Some of the most creative videos on the platform come from creators who blend two songs together to create a completely new vibe. By artfully mixing the intro of one song with the chorus of another, you can create a unique audio that makes your content stand out and could even become its own trend.
• Jumping on Specific Trends: Many TikTok trends are built around a two-sound structure. These "when this sound plays..." formats often require a specific song for the setup and a different one for the payoff. Knowing how to execute this technically allows you to participate in a wider range of trends.

Essentially, mastering this skill gives you more control over the narrative and emotional journey of your video, turning a simple clip into a more engaging experience.

Method 1: The Quick &, Easy Way Inside the TikTok App

For most situations, you can accomplish this trick without ever leaving TikTok. The in-app editor has become surprisingly powerful, and layering sounds is fairly straightforward once you know where to look. This method is perfect for quick turnarounds and simple song transitions.

Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Record or Upload Your Video Clips

Start by either recording your video directly in the TikTok app or uploading pre-recorded clips from your phone's camera roll. Go through the initial steps of filming or selecting your media until you land on the main video editing screen where you see your timeline at the bottom and editing options on the right.

Step 2: Add Your First Song

At the top of the editing screen, you'll see a music note icon with the text "Add sound." Tap this. This opens TikTok's massive commercial music library.

• Search for the first song you want to use. You can look for specific artists, titles, or browse trending charts.
• Once you've found it, tap the song and then tap the red checkmark to add it to your video.
• TikTok will automatically apply the song to your entire video. Don't worry, we'll fix that next.

Step 3: Trim the First Song

Back on the editing screen, you'll now see the title of the song you added at the top. Tap on it. This will open the waveform editor for that sound. You'll see a visual representation of the song. Drag the edges of the selection box to trim the sound down to just the part you want for the first portion of your video. For example, if you only want the first 5 seconds of the song to play, trim it accordingly.

• Use the playback to make sure it starts and ends exactly where you want it. Hit "Done" when you're satisfied.

Step 4: Add Your Second Sound

This is where most people get tripped up. Instead of looking for an "add another sound" button, you’re going to find it in the bottom editing toolbar.

• On the main editing screen, look at the bottom row of icons (Effects, Text, Stickers, etc.) and tap on "Sound" (it looks like a music note inside a circle). This may also be labeled "Edit" with a scissors icon, where you can then find the audio options. Note: Sometimes TikTok's UI changes, but the key is to re-enter an audio editing menu from the bottom toolbar.
• At the bottom left, tap the "Add sound" button. This takes you back to the TikTok music library.
• Find and select your second song.

Step 5: Position and Trim Your Second Song

Adding the second song places it in a separate audio track on your editing timeline. Now you can move and trim it independently.

• You should now see two audio tracks below your video track. The first is your first song, and the second is the one you just added.
• Tap and hold the second audio track and drag it so it starts right where the first one ends. A little snapping sensation will often let you know it’s perfectly aligned.
• Tap on the second audio track to bring up its trimming options. Trim it to fit the remaining duration of your video.

Step 6: Adjust Volume Levels

One final, crucial step: volume adjustment. You'll likely want to completely remove the original audio from your video clips so it doesn't clash with the music.

• Back on the main editing screen, tap the "Volume" icon on the right-hand panel (it's often within the dropdown menu marked by a small arrow).
• You’ll see two sliders: "Original sound" and "Added sound."
• Drag the "Original sound" slider all the way down to 0%. This mutes your clip's native audio.
• The "Added sound" slider controls the volume of both songs you added. Keep this at 100% unless you want the music to be quieter.
• Preview your video one last time. If the transition is smooth and the volumes are correct, you're ready to proceed to the posting screen!

Method 2: For Ultimate Control with a Third-Party Editor like CapCut

The native TikTok method is great, but it has limits. Transitions can sometimes feel abrupt, and you lack fine-tuned controls like fading sounds in and out. For a more polished, professional product, using a free video editing app like CapCut (which is made by the same parent company as TikTok) is the preferred workflow for serious creators.

Using an app like CapCut gives you several advantages:

• Precision Timeline Editing: Dragging sound clips to the exact millisecond is much easier on a professional timeline.
• Audio Fades: You can apply "Fade in" and "Fade out" effects to the audio clips for buttery-smooth transitions between the two songs.
• Independent Volume Control: You can adjust the volume of each song separately, not just as a single "added sound" track.
• Extracting Audio: CapCut allows you to extract audio from other videos, giving you an almost endless supply of sounds to use.

Here's the step-by-step workflow using CapCut:

1. Start a New Project: Open CapCut and import the video clips you plan to use for your TikTok.
2. Mute Original Audio: Tap on your video clip in the timeline, find the "Volume" button in the bottom menu, and drag the slider to zero. Do this for all clips to ensure there's no background noise.
3. Add Your First Sound: Tap "Audio" >, "Sounds." You can browse CapCut’s library (which resembles TikTok's) or use sounds from your device. Add your first song. It will appear as a new layer in your timeline.
4. Trim the First Sound: Tap the audio track. Drag its edges to trim it so it perfectly matches the length of the first part of your video.
5. Add Your Second Sound: Move the playhead (the white vertical line) to the end of the first audio clip. Tap "Add audio" (the plus icon) next to the "Sounds" timeline. Find and add your second song.
6. Trim the Second Sound: Adjust the start and end points of the second audio clip so it flows nicely from the first and finishes with your video.
7. Apply Fades for a Smooth Transition (The Pro Move): Tap on the first audio clip. In the bottom menu, select "Fade." Set a short "Fade out" duration (e.g., 0.3 seconds). Now, tap the second audio clip and apply a short "Fade in." This small detail makes the switch from one song to another sound intentional and much less jarring.
8. Export and Upload: Once you're happy with the edit, export the video from CapCut in high resolution (1080p is great for TikTok). Now, open TikTok, tap the "+" button, and upload this final, edited video from your camera roll.

A Final Tip for the Algorithm:

Even though your sound is already edited into your video from CapCut, you should still attach a trending TikTok sound to it when uploading. After uploading your video to TikTok, tap "Add sound" and pick any popular song. Then, go to "Volume," turn the "Original sound" up to 100% (this is your edited video's sound), and turn the "Added sound" down to 1%. This helps the TikTok algorithm categorize your video with that trending audio, potentially increasing its reach, while viewers will only hear the custom audio you created.

Final Thoughts

Layering sounds in TikTok is a creative skill that can elevate your content from a simple clip to a well-crafted story. Whether you use the simple in-app editor for quick edits or jump into a dedicated app like CapCut for pro-level control over your transitions, you now have the tools to make your videos more impactful and engaging.

Mastering these little editing techniques is just one part of growing on social media, staying consistent is the other. At Postbase, we built our platform with a video-first approach, knowing creators need better ways to organize their content. Our visual calendar lets you plan a month's worth of TikToks, Reels, and Shorts at a glance, making it simple to drag, drop, and reschedule your multi-sound videos to go live at the perfect time. This way, you can focus more of your energy on the creative parts and leave the scheduling to us.