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How to record a cover song video on iPhone for Reels and TikTok

A cover video in Musaic is a project in the 9:16 format with the backing track as its first layer. You import the backing track or play it yourself, then record your vocal and your instrument on camera while it plays in your headphones. A harmony or a second camera angle goes on the next layers, and the export is one vertical video for Reels, TikTok and Shorts. Musaic has no music library: the backing track is a file you bring or a part you play.

Download on theApp Store

Musaic - Recording Studio is free for iPhone and iPad. Where a step needs Musaic Pro, the guide says so.

You need: Musaic on an iPhone or iPad, headphones, and the backing track as an audio file in Files (m4a, mp3, wav, aiff or caf) if you do not play it yourself. The exported video carries a watermark unless you have Musaic Pro.

Steps

  1. Create a vertical project

    Start a new project and choose Mosaic for several takes side by side, or Live Studio to cut between angles. Pick the 9:16 format, TikTok / Reels / Shorts.

  2. Bring in the backing track

    Tap Record and choose Import audio… to load the backing track from Files. It becomes a layer without a picture, and every take after it is recorded against it. If you play the song yourself, record that part first instead.

  3. Sing on camera

    Put on headphones, tap Record and choose Record video + audio. The backing track plays in your headphones and stays out of the microphone.

  4. Add a harmony or a second angle

    Each further take goes on its own layer: a harmony, the guitar from the side, a shaker. Up to 10 layers, and in Mosaic each one fills the next pane.

  5. Mix and add the lyrics

    Set the volume and effects of each layer in the Audio FX tab. With Musaic Pro, transcribe the vocal and show the lyrics in the video.

  6. Export

    Tap the export button, the share icon at the top right of the Overview. Choose 1080p or 4K and 30 or 60 fps, then post the .mp4 to Reels, TikTok or Shorts.

What makes a cover video stand out

  • Split screen

    77 layouts with up to 10 panes, so the singer, the guitar and the harmonies are all in the picture at once.

  • Live cuts

    In Live Studio, play the song and tap a camera to cut to it, like a music video edit.

  • Looks

    15 looks from Cassette to VHS, for one take or all of them.

  • Synced lyrics Pro

    The words of your vocal appear in time with the song, in about 30 styles.

Good to know

  • Can I use a song from Apple Music or Spotify?

    No. Streaming songs are copy-protected and cannot be imported. Use a backing track you have as a file, or play the music yourself.

  • Which format for Instagram and TikTok?

    9:16, chosen when you create the project. The export uses the format of the project.

  • Is it free?

    Recording, importing, all layouts and the export are free. Musaic Pro removes the watermark and adds lyrics, animations and chord detection.

Try it

Musaic - Recording Studio is free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. Musaic Pro adds lyrics, animations, chord detection and Fix audio, and removes the watermark.

Download on theApp Store

Related guides

Written for Musaic 1.4.0.