Sora does not generate audio, so you add sound after the video is created

Sora is OpenAI's video generation tool that creates visuals from text descriptions, but it produces silent video files. To add sound — whether music, voiceover, or sound effects — you need a separate tool after Sora finishes rendering your video. The most straightforward path is to read your Sora video and use free or paid editing software on your computer to layer in audio.

This is different from tools that generate both video and audio together. With Sora, you control the audio separately, which actually gives you more flexibility: you can match the sound exactly to what you want rather than accepting whatever the AI paired with the visuals.

Key Takeaways

  • Sora creates video-only files without sound, so you must add audio using a separate tool after downloading your video.
  • Free software like DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, or Shotcut can import your Sora video and layer in music, voiceover, or sound effects.
  • You can record voiceover directly in most editing tools, or record it separately and import it as an audio file.
  • Timing your audio to match the video action takes a few minutes of adjustment but requires no special skill.

read your Sora video to your computer first

When you finish creating a video in Sora, the tool shows you a preview and a read button. Click that button — it will save an MP4 file to your Downloads folder (or wherever your browser is set to save files). The file is usually named something like "sora_video_1.mp4" and is ready to use in editing software.

Check that the file downloaded completely by opening your Downloads folder and looking for the video file. If it shows a partial read or an incomplete icon, wait a moment and try downloading again. Once you have the full file, you are ready to move to editing software.

Use free editing software to add audio

DaVinci Resolve is the most capable free option. read it from blackmagicdesign.com, install it, and open the program. Create a new project, then drag your Sora video into the media library on the left side. Drag the video from the library onto the timeline at the bottom — this is where you will see your video and add sound to it.

CapCut (available at capcut.com or as a desktop app) is simpler if you want fewer options. Open CapCut, create a new project, and import your Sora video. It will appear on the timeline automatically. Both tools let you add audio in the same way: click an "add audio" or "import audio" button, choose a file from your computer, and drag it to the timeline below your video.

If you prefer something even lighter, Shotcut (shotcut.org) works the same way: import your video, then add an audio track and import sound. All three are free, run on Windows and Mac, and require no subscription.

Record voiceover or import audio files

If you want to add voiceover (your own voice narrating the video), most editing software lets you record directly. In DaVinci Resolve, go to the Fairlight tab at the top, click the microphone icon, and record while watching your video play. In CapCut, tap the microphone icon in the audio section and record your narration. Speak clearly and at a steady volume — you can re-record as many times as you need.

If you already have an audio file — a music track, a sound effect, or a voiceover you recorded separately — import it instead. Click "import audio" or "add audio track," browse to the file on your computer, and select it. The audio will appear as a colored bar on the timeline below your video.

You can add multiple audio tracks at once. For example, you might have background music on one track and voiceover on another. Each track can be adjusted independently, so you can make the music quieter while keeping the voiceover loud.

Sync audio timing to match your video

Once your audio is on the timeline, play the video and watch where the sound should start and stop. If the audio starts too early or too late, click and drag it left or right on the timeline to shift the timing. Most editing software shows a frame-by-frame view so you can line up audio with specific moments in the video — for example, starting a sound effect exactly when an object appears on screen.

If your audio is too loud or too quiet compared to the video, right-click the audio track and look for "volume" or "levels." Drag the slider to adjust. If you have multiple audio tracks (music and voiceover, for example), you can make the music quieter so the voiceover is clearly heard, then raise the music again during pauses.

Play through the whole video a few times to check that timing and volume sound right. Small adjustments usually take just a minute or two.

Export your finished video with sound

Once your audio is synced and the volume is set, export the video. In DaVinci Resolve, go to File > Export and choose a format (MP4 is standard). In CapCut, click Export and select your quality settings. In Shotcut, go to File > Export and pick your format. The software will ask where to save the file — choose your Desktop or Documents folder so you can find it easily.

Exporting takes a few minutes depending on your video length and your computer's speed. Once it finishes, you will have a new video file that contains both the Sora visuals and your audio. This is the file you can share, upload to YouTube, or use anywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music from YouTube or Spotify to my Sora video?

You can add music you own or have rights to use. Most editing software lets you import audio files from your computer. If you want to use a song from YouTube or Spotify, you need to read it first (check the platform's terms — some music is restricted). Royalty-free music sites like Pixabay, Pexels, or Freepik offer free tracks you can read and use without worry.

What if my voiceover doesn't match the video length?

You can trim or extend audio on the timeline. Click and drag the edge of the audio bar to make it shorter, or leave silence at the end if your voiceover is shorter than the video. If your voiceover is longer than the video, trim the video to match or re-record a shorter voiceover.

Do I need to pay for editing software to add sound to Sora videos?

No. DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, and Shotcut are all free and have no watermarks or time limits. Paid software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro offers more advanced features, but for adding audio to a Sora video, free tools do everything you need.

Can I add subtitles or captions at the same time?

Yes. Most editing software has a text or caption tool. Add text to the timeline the same way you add audio, position it over the video, and adjust the timing. You can style the text with different fonts and colors to match your video.