To add music to YouTube Shorts, open the YouTube app, tap the “+” icon, select Create a Short, then use the Add sound option before recording or uploading. Choose from YouTube’s library of licensed songs, preview your selection, and adjust volume levels. You can mix popular tracks or background sounds to make your Shorts more dynamic and engaging.
If you want to transcribe a YouTube video into text, you can try VOMO. Just paste the URL, and you’ll get the transcript in a few seconds.
Step 1: Open the YouTube App and Start Creating
Start by launching the YouTube app on your phone.
- Tap the “+” button at the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Create a Short.”
- Choose Record or Upload an existing clip.
- Before recording, tap “Add sound” at the top to browse music options.
The library includes trending songs, effects, and royalty-free tracks. You can preview and pick the perfect tune that matches your content’s emotion or rhythm.
🎵 Using licensed music through YouTube ensures your Shorts are copyright-safe.
Step 2: Add Music from the YouTube Sound Library
YouTube offers an integrated music library that lets you mix tracks easily:
- Browse genres like pop, ambient, cinematic, or instrumental.
- Listen and preview before adding.
- Adjust audio timing so the beat matches your visuals.
You can either start recording after selecting a track or add music afterward during editing. YouTube automatically adjusts the sync so your clip flows smoothly with the beat.
💡 Short music loops (15–30 seconds) work best for visual rhythm and audience retention.
Step 3: Customize the Music in Editing
After uploading your Short, use YouTube’s editing features to fine-tune your audio:
- Tap the Edit sound icon to move or trim music.
- Lower the track volume for background balance.
- Layer with voiceovers or environmental sounds.
- Sync mood changes to scene transitions.
Creators who narrate or use spoken content can also convert audio to text for captions, improving accessibility and viewer engagement — especially for audiences watching without sound.
Step 4: Combine Original Sound with YouTube Music
You can mix your recorded voice or original video sound with added music.
To do this:
- Record first using the camera and microphone.
- Then layer background music while keeping your voice clearly audible.
- Use fade-in and fade-out effects for smoother transitions.
This combination makes your Shorts more professional and expressive while maintaining the authentic tone of your content.
🔊 Balancing your sound levels creates a dynamic watching experience and keeps viewers hooked.
Step 5: Upload and Add Final Touches
Before posting your Short:
- Preview the video and sound blend.
- Choose clear captions and hashtags (#YouTubeShorts, #MusicShorts).
- Post your Short publicly for maximum reach.
- Engage with comments to boost early interactions.
For creators who turn Shorts into blog posts or summaries, video to text tools can extract dialogue or insights from videos automatically. This allows you to repurpose your creative work into written content that builds SEO value across platforms.
Best Practices for Using Music in YouTube Shorts
To make your Shorts stand out with great audio:
- Use trending tracks to align with current algorithms.
- Keep clips under 60 seconds for eligibility.
- Choose clean, high-quality sound (no distortion).
- Avoid overused songs — originality drives engagement.
- Match energy between video pacing and music rhythm.
📈 Strategic music selection helps increase views and retention on Shorts feed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding copyrighted tracks unofficially — may cause removal.
- Overlapping music and speech without proper volume balance.
- Ignoring audio timing — off-beat content feels unprofessional.
- Forgetting captions that describe or complement the music choice.
- Not previewing before upload.
⚠️ Always review your Short with headphones to confirm sound clarity before publishing.
Final Tips for Music-Driven YouTube Shorts
- Start with catchy beats that grab attention in the first three seconds.
- Sync music drops or transitions with your visuals for emotional impact.
- Incorporate brand or signature sounds if you post regularly.
- Use captions and hashtags to describe your music theme.
- Stay updated with YouTube’s trending tracks for maximum exposure.
🚀 Music adds emotion, rhythm, and personality — helping your Shorts go viral faster.
✅ Key Takeaway
Adding music to YouTube Shorts is quick and creative — simply choose Add sound in the Shorts editor, pick a licensed track, and balance it with your visuals. Combine the power of sound with accessibility tools like audio to text and repurposing methods such as video to text to make your content more inclusive, discoverable, and share-worthy in 2025.
