How do you duet on TikTok with audio?
What is a duet on TikTok?
A duet on TikTok allows users to create a split-screen video with another user’s existing video playing side-by-side. The duet feature adds your new video alongside someone else’s video, combining them into one new piece of content.
With duets, you can react to, collaborate with, or build upon another TikTok user’s video. Your video plays on one side of the split screen, while the original video remains visible on the other side. This allows you to have a visual conversation with the original video and creator.
According to TikTok’s support site, “A Duet contains two videos in a split screen that play at the same time.” https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/creating-videos/duets
Essentially, the duet feature allows for creative remixing and responding to existing TikTok videos. Duets have become a popular way for users to put their own spin on trending videos, genres, memes, or sounds.
Why do a duet on TikTok?
Duets on TikTok allow creators to engage directly with another user’s content. There are several key reasons creators may want to duet a video:
Engage with another creator’s content – Duets make it easy to put your own spin on a video you enjoy from another creator. Adding your own take creates more interactions and continuity between videos. As Fanbytes notes, duets function as video “replies” that help creators build on each other’s content.
Put your own spin on another video – Duets give you creative license to add to a video however you want. You can give commentary, continue a joke, provide reaction footage, or anything else to make the content your own. Duets keep content fresh by allowing new iterations and perspectives.
Increase exposure for your own account – Doing popular duets gives you access to the original video creator’s audience. Your content gets viewed by their followers, which can increase your own following. It helps expand your reach to new viewers.
Duet requirements
In order to do a duet on TikTok, there are a couple requirements you need to meet:
First, you need to have the latest version of the TikTok app installed on your device. TikTok frequently releases new versions of the app with bug fixes and new features, so make sure you update to the current version in your device’s app store.
Second, you need to be following the user whose video you want to duet with. You can only duet videos from accounts you currently follow. If you try to duet with someone you don’t follow, you’ll get a message that you need to follow them first before duetting.
According to TikTok’s help center, there are also some situations where duetting may be temporarily limited between some accounts, such as new users or accounts that have had recent violations. These limitations are usually temporary. You can also check the account’s settings to see if they have “Allow Duetting” enabled.
As long as you have the current TikTok app version installed and are following the account you want to duet with, you should be able to duet their video without any issues. Check that the account has duetting enabled if you still have trouble.
How to duet a video with audio
Here are the steps to duet a video with audio on TikTok:
1. Open the TikTok app and find a video you want to duet. Tap on the ‘Share’ icon below the video.
2. From the sharing options, choose ‘Duet’. This will open up a side-by-side camera view.
3. Tap the red record button to start recording your video alongside the original video. Make sure to enable audio access for TikTok in your phone’s settings if you want to record audio.
4. When you’re done recording, you can edit the video by adding effects, text, filters etc. Editing features allow you to trim the video length, adjust the layout, add stickers and more.
5. Once you’re happy with the duet video, tap ‘Next’ and add any captions or hashtags you want.
6. Finally, post the duet video to share it on TikTok. Your video will appear right alongside the original video in split screen format.
With just a few taps, you can create engaging duet videos with audio and share your own reactions and creativity alongside trending TikTok videos.
Duet Video Best Practices
When creating a duet, it’s important to follow best practices to add value and keep your content respectful. Here are some tips:
Be creative and add value. Don’t just repost the original video – make your duet unique by adding a funny reaction, clever editing, or your own twist. This makes the duet more entertaining for viewers.
Credit the original creator. Mention their @username in your video caption and provide context on why you are duetting their content. This shows respect and gives them proper credit.
Keep it respectful. Avoid making duets that mock, criticize or embarrass the original creator. Duet responsibly by ensuring your content is tasteful.
Follow TikTok’s community guidelines. Don’t include anything illegal, dangerous or offensive. Duets still need to adhere to TikTok’s rules.
Check audio and visuals. Make sure any background audio or visuals don’t distract from your duet. Keep the focus on your creative addition.
Review before posting. Watch your full duet before publishing to catch any mistakes. A review helps post only your best content.
Audio options for duets
There are a few options for audio when creating a duet on TikTok:
Use the original audio – When you duet a video, you can simply use the same music or audio from the original TikTok you are duetting. This allows you to react to or build off the original audio.
Add your own audio – You can also choose to add your own audio clip or song when duetting. This lets you customize the audio and soundtrack for your duet. You can upload an audio file from your device or choose a song from TikTok’s audio library.
Use text-to-speech – TikTok has a text-to-speech feature that will generate a computer voice to read out any text you type in. This allows you to add audio narration to your duet without recording your own voice.
Copyright considerations
When creating a duet, it’s important to be mindful of copyright. Simply reposting someone else’s full video without adding your own new content is not considered transformative and could risk copyright infringement claims. However, if your duet provides commentary, critique, or parody that transforms the original work, this may qualify as fair use under copyright law.
The TikTok copyright policy states that reposting others’ content in its entirety is prohibited without permission. However, transformative videos that add new meaning or expression can be protected as fair use. Providing criticism, education, commentary, or parody on top of the original video can help make your duet sufficiently transformative.
It’s best to avoid re-using long segments of others’ videos or music without adding your own creative input. The more you can add original visuals, audio, narration or performance, the better. Citing your sources is also recommended when you reference someone else’s work.
When in doubt, it’s safest to use only your own original content or content you have explicit permission to use. Following copyright best practices helps foster creativity on the platform. See TikTok’s copyright policy for more details.
Editing features for duets
TikTok offers several editing features to customize your side of the duet video. You can trim or cut your video clip to focus on the best parts. The TikTok editing tools let you adjust the speed of your video, speeding it up or slowing it down for dramatic effect.
You can also apply filters, text captions, drawings, stickers, and visual effects to enhance your duet video. Effects like green screen give you creative ways to interact with the original video. Using TikTok’s editing features allows you to put your own spin on the other person’s content.
When creating your side of the duet, think about how you can build on the original video in an interesting or humorous way. You want your editing choices to add something new and compelling for viewers.
Duet Ideas
Some popular types of duets on TikTok include reaction videos, parodies, challenges, and collaborations. Here are some duet video ideas to try:
Reaction Videos – React to another user’s video with your own take. This is a great way to put your own spin on trending videos. You can react with surprise, laughter, confusion, or anything else.
Parodies – Duet with a TikTok video and create a parody version. Exaggerate or mock the original video in a lighthearted way. This allows you to riff on popular videos.
Challenges – Take part in trending TikTok challenges by duetting with the original challenge video. You can also issue challenge invitations to other users.
Collaborations – Team up with other creators by duetting with their videos. Collaborative duets allow you to join forces and cross-promote.
Some specific viral duet ideas include trying out dance challenges like the Renegade (Source 1), participating in meme trends by duetting the original meme video, or duetting with creative instrumentalists like Henry Moodie or Bob E Kelly (Source 1). The key is putting your own spin on trends and interacting with other creators.
Promoting your duets
Once you’ve created your duet, it’s important to promote it so more people see it. Here are some tips for getting more views on your TikTok duets:
Use relevant hashtags – Include hashtags related to the content of your duet and the original video. This helps the right audience find your duet. Some popular duet hashtags include #duet, #duetthis, and #followme. You can also use niche hashtags.
Invite collaborations with other creators – @ mention creators you’d like to duet with or ask your followers to make a duet with you. Collaborating expands your reach.
Share on other platforms – Cross-promote your duet by posting it on other social channels like Instagram, Twitter or YouTube. This helps drive more viewers to your TikTok account.