What is original sound on TikTok?
Original sound refers to audio that is created and uploaded directly by TikTok users, as opposed to trending or viral sounds that many people use. An original sound is unique audio content that comes directly from the creator.
While trending sounds on TikTok are widely used by many creators and viewers, original sounds offer something fresh and distinct. Original sound helps TikTok creators differentiate themselves and share their own musical creativity and talents.
Having an original sound is valued on TikTok because it allows creators to establish a unique identity. Using a new and different sound, rather than popular viral sounds, makes a TikTok stand out. Original sounds also enable creators to showcase their skills and passions through their own audio recordings.
Finding new and undiscovered original sounds
One way to discover original sounds on TikTok is by browsing by audio instead of hashtags. TikTok’s search tool allows you to look up specific sounds and audio clips. Try searching for generic keywords like “original sound” or “viral sound” to find new and trending original audios.
You can also find new sounds by following niche interests and communities. Different subcultures on TikTok tend to use sounds unique to their community. By engaging with creators in a specific niche, you’re more likely to come across new sounds organically.
Checking out smaller or undiscovered creators is another great way to find original sounds before they get big. Lesser known creators are constantly experimenting with new audios. Their sounds are more likely to be completely original compared to bigger creators who tend to reuse popular sounds.
Searching by keywords
One way to find original and undiscovered sounds on TikTok is by using relevant keywords in your searches. Some keywords to try include “original sound”, “new sound”, and “undiscovered sound”. You can also combine multiple keywords like “original new sound” or “undiscovered 2023 sound” to further refine your results.
When searching keywords, it’s helpful to try synonyms as well. For example, instead of just “original”, you could also search for “fresh”, “unique”, “unheard”, or “one-of-a-kind” sounds. The more creative you get with keywords, the more likely you are to surface sounds that haven’t gone viral yet.
You can search keywords directly in TikTok’s search bar at the top of the app. However, for best results, try searching within TikTok’s Sounds page (tap the music note icon on the bottom toolbar). This will specifically surface sounds instead of general videos.
According to TikTok’s Creative Center, keyword optimization is important for helping your content be discovered. So take time to research and test different keyword combinations until you find fresh, unique sounds.
Using hashtags
One of the best ways to find original and undiscovered sounds on TikTok is through using relevant hashtags like #originalsound, #newsound, and #undiscoveredsound. By searching these tags, you can discover creators who are posting brand new sounds that are just starting to gain traction. The #originalsound tag is especially popular, with over 24 million views. Some other great niche hashtags to find fresh sounds are #hiddengems, #underratedsounds, and #rarefinds.
It can also be helpful to search through hashtags related to specific genres or instruments like #originalfolk or #unseenpiano. The key is to dig into niche communities posting more unique content. While large tags like #music are popular, they often surface more mainstream sounds. By getting specific with smaller tags, you have a better chance of coming across that next great undiscovered track.
Following and interacting with creators who use these smaller niche hashtags is a great way to keep finding original sounds too. Their future posts may continue showcasing new undiscovered audio from rising artists or producers. So explore some less common hashtags and see what hidden gems you can uncover through TikTok’s massive world of sounds.
Creators to Follow for Original Sound
Following niche creators on TikTok is a great way to discover original and undiscovered music. Here are some profiles known for sharing fresh original sounds:
@kaseysplaylist – Kasey posts songs and artists you won’t hear on the radio. She finds undiscovered indie/alt music and has a keen ear for unique sounds.
@axeltanner – Axel is an indie music tastemaker who reviews unsigned bands and highlights non-mainstream genres like indie pop, rock, and folk.
@occupiedliving – This account covers a wide variety of original sounds from bedroom pop to lofi beats. It’s a go-to for new music across many genres.
Following niche interest accounts like @theweisestband for psychedelic rock or @gendirectmusic for country can expose you to great original songs too.
Interacting with these creators by duetting, commenting, and sharing their content helps boost their reach so they can continue finding those unique sounds.
Finding Original Sounds in Duets and Stitches
Duets and stitches on TikTok can be a great way to discover original sounds. When a user duets or stitches someone else’s video, they have the option to use the original sound from that video or replace it with their own audio.
To find duets and stitches using a particular original sound, go to the video that features the sound you want. Tap on the share arrow next to the username and select “See details.” This will show you all the duets and stitches of that video. You can scroll through to check out who has reused the original audio versus recording their own.
One tip is to pay attention to videos with a high number of duets and stitches. The original sound from popular videos often gets reused in creative ways. Exploring the duets and stitches can surface talents you may want to follow for their fresh takes on sounds.
Duets and stitches with the original audio kept are a simple way to find more videos featuring sounds you enjoy. It allows you to easily branch out and discover new content while staying connected to the original viral hits.
Interacting with creators
One of the best ways to find original sounds on TikTok is by interacting directly with creators. Here are some tips for connecting with creators to discover new music and sounds:
Comment on videos asking about the sound – If you hear a great new track in a TikTok video, comment and ask the creator about the song. Many creators are happy to share the details on the original sound they used. You can say something like “This song is so cool! What’s the name of it?”
Message creators directly – TikTok allows you to send direct messages to creators. Tap on a creator’s profile picture, then tap “Message” to send them a DM. Introduce yourself and ask if they can share more info on the instrumental or song they used.
Build relationships over time – Don’t just ask for something right away. Comment on creators’ content, like their videos, and engage with them first. Building a relationship can make them more likely to share their original sounds with you.
Follow rising creators who use great music – Keep an eye out for accounts that consistently have great original sounds. Follow them and turn on notifications so you can hear new music as soon as they post it.
Using TikTok’s sounds page
One of the easiest ways to find original sounds on TikTok is by browsing the app’s sounds page. This page lets you explore both trending and latest sounds uploaded by creators.
The trending tab shows you sounds that are currently popular and being used in many videos. This is a good place to discover sounds that could help your video go viral. However, trending sounds are often oversaturated.
For finding more unique hidden gems, check out the latest tab. You’ll see newly uploaded sounds that haven’t yet taken off. Look for sounds with engaging rhythms or hooks that inspire you creatively. The key is being one of the first to help a new sound gain traction.
When browsing sounds, don’t just listen to the short preview clips. Tap through and watch 1-2 videos using the full sound to get a better sense of the vibe and how it could enhance your content.
Spending time digging through the TikTok sounds page is a creative practice that can spark video ideas and introduce you to new original music and audio. Trending and viral sounds get a lot of play, but look to the latest uploads for finding those next undiscovered gems.
Third-party apps and sites
There are many third-party apps and websites that can help you discover new and trending sounds on TikTok. Some popular options include:
SoundHunter – This app aggregates popular TikTok sounds and allows you to search by keywords or browse by category. You can also view trending sounds. The advantage is you can easily discover viral sounds, but the disadvantage is you may end up using overplayed sounds.
TokBoard – This website showcases trending sounds and music on TikTok. It updates regularly so you can find the latest sounds. The advantage is discovering trending sounds early, but the disadvantage is less variety of niche sounds.
Apps like TuneFinder also identify songs and sounds from TikTok videos. The advantage is identifying obscure sounds, but these apps can have limited sound libraries.
The advantage of third-party apps is quickly finding trending sounds. The disadvantage is less exposure to niche, undiscovered sounds. But they are a helpful discovery tool when used alongside TikTok’s own features.
Creating your own original sounds
One of the best ways to find completely original audio on TikTok is to create it yourself. Making your own custom sounds allows you full creative control and gives you the chance to go viral if your sound catches on.
When creating original sounds, focus on making something catchy and compelling that will draw people in. Catchy vocals, unique instrumental riffs, and funny spoken word clips tend to do well. You can record directly in the TikTok app, or use other apps to produce higher quality audio.
According to this Mashable article, some tips for creating great original sounds include:
- Keep sounds under 15 seconds to fit TikTok’s format
- Add effects like reverb to polish the audio
- Try different styles from rap verses to comedy bits
Once you’ve created a great original sound, promote it by using it across multiple videos. Encourage your followers to use the sound in their own TikToks. You can also promote your sound through hashtags like #originalsound.
According to this MakeUseOf article, utilizing TikTok’s Sounds page and getting on curated playlists can help your original audio reach more users. With a clever, catchy sound, you could see your original audio go viral on TikTok.
