How do I export an MP4 for Reels, Shorts, and TikTok?
Last updated: August 24, 2026
Finish the campaign preview, run a final export, and download the MP4 when rendering completes. Cascade writes H.264 video and AAC audio — the combination Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts accept. Vertical 9:16 is the campaign default. Cascade does not upload to TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram. Export the MP4 and post it in Instagram yourself.
Export vs preview
Previews are for iteration and do not always count as a final. Final MP4s use your monthly export allowance (Free is limited; Creator and Pro include a higher monthly allowance). If export is still processing, wait and refresh — do not screen-record the preview and post that file.
Platform checklist
What Cascade delivers vs what you do in each app
| Platform | File Cascade gives you | Cascade posting |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Vertical MP4 | None — upload in TikTok |
| YouTube Shorts | Vertical MP4 | None — upload in YouTube |
| Instagram Reels | Vertical MP4 (H.264/AAC, typically under upload limits) | Upload the MP4 in Instagram. Cascade doesn’t post to Instagram for you. |
If a platform rejects the file
- Confirm it is the exported MP4, not a preview proxy.
- Instagram is picky about H.264/AAC; re-export rather than converting through a random compressor.
- Keep Reels within Instagram’s length and size rules when you upload the MP4 in the Instagram app.
FAQ
Yes. Finished campaigns export as MP4 (H.264 video with AAC audio), which is what TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts expect. Vertical 9:16 is the default for those placements.
Audio for the beat, video or images for footage and artwork (including MP4, MOV, WebM, JPG, PNG, and WebP on upload), and MP4 on export. Campaigns are vertical 9:16 for Reels, Shorts, and TikTok.
Export the MP4 and post it in Instagram. Cascade doesn’t post to Instagram for you.
Yes — export a vertical MP4 and post it to TikTok. You can also show Cascade a TikTok you like as a video style. Cascade does not post to TikTok for you.
Cascade is built for YouTube Shorts-style vertical clips, not long-form music videos. Export the MP4 and upload it to YouTube yourself. Cascade does not publish to YouTube for you.
Turn a finished beat into a reel with your own footage.