In this guide
In the YouTube app’s Shorts creator, choose Add sound before recording or Sound after recording, select the section and adjust its volume against the original audio and voiceover. For your own audio file, edit a video before uploading and verify the rights for that use.
To add music to a YouTube Short, open the Shorts creator in the YouTube app and tap Add sound before recording, or Sound after recording. Choose an available track, select the part you want and use Volume to balance it with your original audio and any voiceover. Preview the complete Short before posting.
For music already saved as your own audio file, another approach is to add it to the video in a separate video editor before upload. Keep the original project, check the finished export and confirm you have the necessary rights.
Add a song in the YouTube app
- Start a Short. Open YouTube’s Shorts creation tools and record footage or select a video from your device. The exact layout and available controls can change by app version and account.
- Choose a sound. Tap Add sound before recording, or Sound after recording. Browse and preview the available tracks, then select one that fits the clip.
- Choose the excerpt. Use the available sound adjustment control to select the section of the song. Check where the chosen phrase begins relative to the action in your video.
- Balance the sound. Open Volume in the Shorts editor and adjust music, original video audio and voiceover as available. Play the busiest sentence and reduce music if it masks the words.
- Preview and post. Watch from the first frame to the end. Check the cue, speech, last note and abrupt cuts before proceeding to the publishing screen.
YouTube’s Shorts enhancement instructions document adding sound before or after recording and adjusting the available audio levels. Its editing tips explain selecting a section and adjusting volume.
Add your own music to a Short
To use a local audio file, prepare the video in a separate editor that accepts the file. This creates a new video with the music embedded; it does not automatically add that recording to YouTube’s sound library.
- Import your video and a music file you have permission to use into a video editor.
- Place the music on its own timeline track. Trim it and align its first audible event with the visual cue. Keep the video’s original sound if it contains speech you need.
- Lower the music against dialogue, add a fade if the editor supports it and check both ends of the clip.
- Export the video, play the saved file and upload it using the appropriate YouTube workflow. Preview the result and check any platform notices.
The audio trimmer can prepare an excerpt from a mono or stereo MP3 or WAV up to five minutes and 50 MiB. Download it and import it into your video editor; the trimmer does not add the file to a video or upload it to YouTube. For a broader timeline walkthrough, see how to add audio to a video.
Keep voice clear under music
Listen to a normal sentence and the loudest musical moment together. Lower the music until important words are understandable, then check quiet words and the transition into the next clip. The right level depends on the source; a fixed percentage does not suit every recording.
If speech and unwanted music are already mixed into the video, lowering the original audio reduces both. Return to the separate original tracks if available. The music-removal tool can test a separation estimate from a supported file, but may leave music or alter speech. AI downloads require an account and sufficient credits, with the cost shown before download.
Using music on Shorts: check the terms
YouTube says the music and sounds in its Shorts library are available without charge for personal, non-commercial use unless you have the appropriate licenses. Check the current terms for your intended use and account. YouTube also warns that copyright-protected music added outside its Shorts creation tools can lead to a Content ID claim or removal request; permission to use the composition and recording matters.
Shorts sounds and the Audio Library used in the desktop Studio editor are different workflows. For an existing eligible upload, see how to add music to a YouTube video, including Studio’s save restrictions and Audio Library attribution.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The wrong part of the song plays | Return to the sound adjustment control and choose the intended excerpt, then preview the full clip. |
| The voice is hard to hear | Use the available Volume controls for music, original audio and voiceover. If voice and music are already combined, seek the original separate tracks. |
| A sound is unavailable | Search the sounds offered in your current account and app. Availability and licensing may vary; choose another track with suitable terms. |
| You are editing on a computer | Prepare an authorized soundtrack in a desktop video editor before upload. Studio’s documented audio editor for eligible existing videos uses Audio Library tracks; check its current restrictions before saving. |
Common questions
Can I use any song in a Short?
No. Availability in an app does not by itself cover every commercial use. Check the applicable YouTube terms and obtain any required rights for music added outside its creation tools.
Can I add music to a Short after posting?
The Shorts sound controls described here apply while creating or editing before posting. YouTube documents a separate computer-based Studio editor for eligible existing uploads; check that editor’s current options and restrictions before saving.
Does Saturalabs upload music to YouTube?
No. Saturalabs can prepare a supported local audio excerpt; creating the video and uploading it are separate steps.