How to Access Musically (TikTok) in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Many remember the early days of short-form video content with fondness, particularly the platform known as Musically. Before it morphed into the global phenomenon we now know as TikTok, Musically was the go-to app for creating lip-sync videos, dance routines, and other fun, creative shorts. While Musically as a standalone entity no longer exists, its legacy lives on within TikTok. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to access the spirit of Musically within TikTok, understand the transition, and explore the features that carry on its original purpose. Whether you’re a nostalgic user or new to the platform, we’ve got you covered.

The Evolution from Musically to TikTok

Before diving into the mechanics of accessing the Musically essence within TikTok, let’s quickly revisit its history. Musically was launched in 2014 and quickly became popular, especially among younger audiences, for its intuitive interface and vast library of music clips. Users could easily create and share 15-second videos, often focused on lip-syncing to popular songs or executing choreographed dances. In 2017, Chinese tech company ByteDance acquired Musically, and subsequently merged it with their own video platform, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). The result of this merger was the global rollout of TikTok, which effectively replaced Musically.

While the app name changed, the core principles of Musically were retained: short-form video creation, music-driven content, and a focus on creativity and expression. TikTok expanded upon this foundation by introducing more features, effects, and user engagement tools, which contributed to its explosive global popularity.

Understanding the TikTok Interface and Navigation

Before we delve into specific features that will enable you to relive the Musically experience, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the TikTok interface. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

• For You Page (FYP): This is the main feed where you’ll find a constant stream of videos tailored to your interests, based on your engagement patterns, the accounts you follow, and trending content.
• Following Page: This feed displays videos from accounts you specifically follow.
• Discover Page: This page allows you to explore trending content, discover popular hashtags, and find new creators.
• Inbox: This section stores your notifications, direct messages, and other interactions.
• Profile Page: This is where you view and edit your profile, see your published videos, and access your drafts.
• Create Button (+ Icon): This prominent button at the bottom center allows you to begin creating a new video.

How to Create a Musically-Style Video on TikTok

The heart of Musically lies in creating engaging videos set to music. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do that on TikTok:

Step 1: Launch TikTok and Start a New Project

First, open the TikTok application on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure you have the latest version installed for the best experience. Then, tap the + button at the bottom of the screen to start a new video project. This takes you to the recording screen.

Step 2: Select Your Music

At the top of the recording screen, you’ll see a button labeled “Add sound”. Tap this button to access the music library. Here’s what you can do:

• Browse Suggested Tracks: TikTok offers a curated list of trending sounds and songs. Scroll through these options to see if anything catches your ear.
• Search for Specific Songs: If you have a specific song in mind, use the search bar at the top to find it. You can search by song title, artist, or even keywords.
• Explore Playlists: TikTok categorizes music into playlists based on genres, moods, and trending sounds. Explore these playlists to discover new tracks.
• Use Your Own Sounds: If you have a sound clip saved on your device or you want to create your own audio, tap the ‘Record Sound’ button and either upload the audio or record it directly. Be sure you are compliant with any copyright regulations.
• Favorites: Once you have found a sound you wish to use, tap the star icon to add it to your favorites for future use.

Once you’ve found your perfect sound, tap on the song or audio to select it. It will then load into the recording interface.

Step 3: Choose Your Video Format (Optional)

Before you start recording, you can choose your video format. You have options such as:

• 15 seconds: The original Musically-style format and often great for lip-sync and quick dance videos.
• 60 seconds: Allows for a longer video and more complex content.
• 3 minutes: An even longer option for tutorials or story-based content.

To select the duration you wish to record, tap the timer icon above the record button and select the desired option.

Step 4: Utilize TikTok’s Recording Features and Effects

Now comes the fun part – recording your video. TikTok offers a range of features and effects to enhance your creation:

• Filters: Tap the filters icon on the left-hand side of the screen to apply visual filters to your video. TikTok offers a range of filters from subtle enhancements to more dramatic transformations.
• Effects: The effects button (usually to the left of the recording button) allows you to choose from a vast library of effects, from face filters to interactive AR experiences, backgrounds and transitions. This is where you will find the bulk of the creative tools.
• Speed Controls: You can control the recording speed of your video from 0.3x to 3x. This is a great way to create slow motion or fast-paced effects. Adjust the slider just above the record button to modify recording speed.
• Timer: Using the timer, you can set a countdown before the recording begins. This gives you time to get into position.
• Flip Camera: You can switch between front and rear-facing camera using the flip button.
• Live Recording Mode: With live recording you can tap the record button to start and then tap again to stop. This creates multiple clips of recording that can then be edited together in the next step.
• Upload video from device: If you already have a video, tap ‘Upload’ to select and edit it within the TikTok app.

Step 5: Record Your Video

Once you’ve selected your music and desired effects, it’s time to start recording. Tap and hold the record button to record your video. If you are using the Live recording method, you can tap to start and stop recording. Practice a few times if needed to ensure your lip-syncing, dance, or other content is on point.

Step 6: Edit Your Video

After recording, you’ll be taken to the editing screen where you can fine-tune your video:

• Trim Clips: If you recorded multiple clips you can use the trim feature to select the start and end points of each clip.
• Adjust Sound: You can adjust the volume of the song you chose and the recorded audio. This can be beneficial when using the record sound or an imported sound.
• Add Text: You can add text overlays to your video in various styles, fonts, and colors. Time your text to appear at specific points in the video for an added effect.
• Add Stickers and GIFs: TikTok offers a library of stickers and GIFs that you can add to your video. Explore these to add humor or flair to your creation.
• Apply More Effects: Even after recording, you can apply more effects, filters, or even add voiceovers to your video.
• Voice Effects: Alter the tone of your voice with a variety of different vocal effect features.

Step 7: Add Description, Hashtags, and Settings

Once you’re satisfied with your video, it’s time to finalize your post. On the next screen, you can add a description or caption for your video. Here are a few things to consider:

• Caption: Write a short and engaging caption for your video. A call to action can often be helpful.
• Hashtags: Include relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your video. Look up trending hashtags or use hashtags related to your content.
• Mention Friends: If relevant tag your friends using the @ symbol.
• Location: Add your location to help broaden the visibility of your post, or add a specific location for those watching videos from the same area.
• Privacy Settings: Choose who can view your video (public, friends, or only you).
• Comment and Duet Settings: You can enable or disable comments, duets, and stitches for your video.
• Save to Device: You can save the video to your device before posting.

Step 8: Post Your Video

Finally, tap the “Post” button to share your video with the world! You can view your post on your profile page and check out your analytics to see how it performs.

Reliving the Musically Spirit

While TikTok is far more expansive than Musically was, the heart of Musically’s experience can be easily recreated. Focus on the original features of Musically: lip-syncing, dancing, or acting out short comedic skits, using a chosen song. Explore the trending sounds and challenges for ideas. It’s also often helpful to explore existing videos, looking at what is currently trending, and then adapting it to your own content.

Tips for Success on TikTok

Here are a few additional tips to enhance your TikTok journey:

• Consistency: Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Try for at least one video a day, if possible.
• Engage with Others: Comment on other videos, follow creators you like, and participate in trends and challenges.
• Experiment with different video types: Try out various types of videos and effects to find what you enjoy the most and what your audience reacts to.
• Stay Up-to-Date: Keep up with the latest trends and features on TikTok.
• Utilize trending sounds: Using trending sounds is key to having your video appear on more FYP pages.
• Use good lighting and clear audio: While sometimes grainy, darker videos perform well, quality of the video helps a great deal.
• Be Creative and Authentic: Ultimately, the most important thing is to be yourself and express your creativity.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter technical issues while using TikTok. Here are a few common problems and solutions:

• App Crashing: Make sure your app is updated to the latest version. Try clearing the cache and data, or uninstall and reinstall the app.
• Issues Recording: Check that you have sufficient storage space on your device and that TikTok has the correct permissions (camera, microphone, etc.)
• Sound Not Working: Check your device volume and make sure there are not any conflicts with other apps, or use headphones for testing.
• Videos Not Uploading: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Try again later, or clear the cache and data.
• Feature Missing or Not Functioning: Make sure you have the latest version of the app, or re-install. If it still doesn’t work, use the help feature within the app to get assistance.

Conclusion

While Musically as a standalone app is no longer available, its spirit lives on within TikTok. By understanding how to use TikTok’s features, you can recreate the engaging and creative experiences that made Musically so popular. Whether you’re looking to relive the old days or discover a new way to express yourself, TikTok offers endless opportunities to create, share, and connect. So, start experimenting with the platform, use trending audios, get creative, and most importantly, have fun. Happy creating!