Tiny Desk Pets: 6 Pet Band Ideas for Your Tiny Desk AI Video
Seadanse: Tiny Desk pets ideas with cats, dogs or both in the five band spots, one photo is enough, 19 seconds with the 'Outstanding' sound, $9.90.
The Seadanse Team11 min readThe team behind Seadanse. We run the models we write about, and we publish the specs, prices and limits the marketing leaves out.
TL;DR — Tiny Desk pets are the cats, dogs and other pets you cast in the five band spots of a 19-second Tiny Desk AI video. One pet photo is enough to start. On Seadanse's Pet Tiny Desk AI page, your pet band is a 9:16 video with the original "Outstanding" sound, $9.90 for 720p with no sign-up.
The six ideas below are an all-cat band, an all-dog band, cats and dogs together, one star pet, you with your pets, and the same pets in new spots.
When you look up Tiny Desk pets on the web, you mostly find physical desk toys and animal figurines. That's not what you're after. You want your own pets to step up and play in the band.
The hard part is the casting. There are five spots on stage, and each pet gets a different view on screen. You'll want to know who should take the lead mic and who belongs on the keys before you start.
We've already made three pet bands of our own: an all-cat band, an all-dog band and a mixed one.
Below, we'll walk you through six fun band ideas, show you the photos behind each one, and break down the exact settings you'll need.
What Are Tiny Desk Pets?
Tiny Desk pets are the pets in a Tiny Desk AI video. It's a 19-second remake of the "Outstanding" finale from Charlie Wilson's NPR Tiny Desk concert posted on June 5, 2023, and your pets play the band.
It's a vertical video for TikTok and Reels, not a desk toy or figurine.
The stage has five spots, and each one gets its own moment in the clip:
- Photo 1 — lead singer: The only one in the side-on opening line and in the big laughing close-up, singing straight to the camera.
- Photo 2 — sax player: The only one in the sax solo, alone in profile playing a gold saxophone.
- Photo 3 — keyboard player: Front and centre at the red keyboard in both band shots, sitting up with front paws on the keys.
- Photo 4 — backup singer, left: Behind on the left in both band shots, singing and moving to the beat.
- Photo 5 — backup singer, right: Behind on the right in both band shots, singing and moving to the beat.
Built-in band members fill any spot without a photo, so the band's always full. Adding more photos adds nothing to the price.
To start right now, add your pet's photo to our Pet Tiny Desk AI generator and press Create. If you'd rather make the same concert video with human friends, you can try Tiny Desk AI instead.
6 Tiny Desk Pets Ideas for Your Band
The six Tiny Desk pets ideas below start from the pets you have, and we made three of them ourselves. Here's how you can cast your own crew across the five spots.
1. An All-Cat Band
An all-cat band gives your cats full run of the stage from the first drum hit to the final chorus. Your cats fill every view in the room, from the opening side angle to the sax solo.
Here are the photos behind our cat band:
- Lead singer: An orange tabby.
- Sax player: A grey British Shorthair.
- Keyboard player: A ragdoll cat.
- Backup singer, left: A black cat.
- Backup singer, right: A Siamese cat.
If your home's full of felines, head over to Cat Tiny Desk AI to set up your group.
You can also read our step-by-step guide on how to make a Tiny Desk AI cat video to see how it comes together.
2. An All-Dog Band
An all-dog band turns your pups into a soulful desk-concert rhythm section. Viewers see your dogs trade off between vocal runs, keyboard grooves and horn lines.
Here are the photos behind our dog band:
- Lead singer: A golden retriever in a black hoodie.
- Sax player: A shiba inu.
- Keyboard player: A corgi.
- Backup singer, left: A French bulldog.
- Backup singer, right: A husky.
You can make your full dog group directly on Dog Tiny Desk AI. We've also put together a tutorial covering Dog Tiny Desk AI videos for dog parents.
3. Cats and Dogs in One Band
Cats and dogs can easily share the stage in a single video. Any spot takes a dog, a cat or another pet, so multi-pet homes don't have to leave anyone behind.
Here are the photos behind our mixed band:
- Lead singer: A corgi in a black hoodie.
- Sax player: An orange tabby cat.
- Keyboard player: A golden retriever.
- Backup singer, left: A ragdoll cat.
- Backup singer, right: A husky.
You can mix and match your pets right now in our pet Tiny Desk AI band maker.
4. One Star Pet With the Built-In Band
You only need one photo to create a great video. Your pet takes the lead vocal in the opening line and the laughing close-up, while built-in band members cover the instruments and backup vocals.
This setup's ideal for pet accounts that want to post on the trend with a single clear picture. It's also a thoughtful gift for a friend's pet on its birthday or adoption day.
5. You and Your Pets on One Stage
A spot can hold a human, 18 or older, right alongside your pets. You can sing lead with your pets backing you up, or give your pet the spotlight close-up while you take the sax solo.
The screenshot below shows that second layout on our page. A corgi sits in the lead singer box, an adult man takes the sax player box, and other pets handle the keys and backup vocals.
6. The Same Pets in New Spots
You can make a brand-new video by reshuffling the same pet pictures into different spots. Because each spot's got a unique angle and role, swapping boxes changes the whole feel of the performance.
We did this across our own bands. Our orange tabby sings lead in the cat band and plays the sax in the mixed band.
Our corgi sits at the red keyboard in the dog band and sings lead in the mixed band. Each video costs its own $9.90 at 720p.
Which Settings Fit Each Tiny Desk Pets Idea
Every Tiny Desk pets idea uses the same three choices: how many photos, which page, and which resolution. Here's how they compare side by side:
| Idea | Photos to add | Page to use | Quality | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-cat band | 1 to 5 cats | Cat Tiny Desk AI | 720p | Your cats fill every spot you give them, $9.90 |
| All-dog band | 1 to 5 dogs | Dog Tiny Desk AI | 720p | Your dogs fill every spot you give them, $9.90 |
| Cats and dogs together | 2 to 5 pets | Pet Tiny Desk AI | 720p | Mix them as you like, same price |
| One star pet | 1 pet | Pet Tiny Desk AI | 720p | The built-in band plays the other four spots |
| You and your pets | You plus 1 to 4 pets | Pet Tiny Desk AI | 720p | You take any spot, 18 or older |
| Same pets, new spots | The same photos, new boxes | The page you used before | 720p or 1080p | A second video, $9.90 at 720p or $39.90 at 1080p |
When you open the page, 720p's already picked for you at $9.90. If you choose 480p, it uses 375 of the 500 credits in that same $9.90 pack.
The 1080p option uses 2,500 credits from the $39.90 pack, which looks sharper on laptops, tablets and TVs.
You'll pay once without any recurring subscription or account setup. Unused credits stay valid for 12 months, and if a video doesn't finish, its credits return to your balance on their own.
You can check every option on our Seadanse pricing page.
Which Pet Photos Make the Best Tiny Desk Pets
The best Tiny Desk pets photos show one animal, face clear and toward the camera, in good light.
The page's hints ask for "One person, character or pet, facing the camera." and "One person per photo, facing the camera, face clear". Clear pictures help the band look sharp in every shot.
Here's what to look for when you pick your pictures:
- One pet per photo: Stick to one animal in each frame so the right face lands in the right box.
- Face toward the camera: A head-on angle makes sure your pet looks straight out at the crowd during close-ups and solos.
- Good light: Bright, even lighting brings out the details in your pet's eyes and expression.
- Fur and markings: Real pictures preserve your pet's true fur colour and patterns while leaving the photo's original background out.
If you decide to step onto the stage yourself, just make sure any person in a real photo is 18 or older.
Tiny Desk Pets FAQ
Are Tiny Desk pets real pets or toys?
In a Tiny Desk AI video, they're your own real pets cast directly from your photos. It's an AI-made video where each pet keeps its own face, fur colour and markings.
Can pets other than cats and dogs join the band?
Yes, any spot on stage takes a dog, a cat or another pet. You can cast whichever pets live in your home.
How many Tiny Desk pets fit in one video?
The stage has five spots, and you only need one photo to make a video. You can upload up to five photos, and the price stays the exact same.
Do my pets have to do anything?
No, your pets don't need to do any work at all. The vocals, horn line and keyboard chords come directly from the original "Outstanding" sound.
How much does a Tiny Desk AI pet video cost?
It costs $9.90 for one 720p video, and the price is identical whether you upload one photo or five.
The 1080p version is $39.90, paid once with no account needed when you make a Tiny Desk AI pet video. You can also browse our other AI video effects on the site.
Cast Your Tiny Desk Pets and Make the Video
Putting your pets in the band takes five spots, and one pet photo's plenty to create your clip.
You can mix cats and dogs together, step onto the stage yourself, and get a 19-second video backed by the original "Outstanding" sound.
When you're ready to pick your cast, open the Pet Tiny Desk AI video maker and drop in your photos.
You can also explore our Tiny Desk AI pet video guide for the steps, or check out Tiny Desk AI meme ideas for human band setups.
Written by The Seadanse Team, the team that built the Pet Tiny Desk AI page and made the three pet bands above.
Related Articles
- Tiny Desk AI Pet Video: Put Your Cats and Dogs in the Band — the four steps for a pet band.
- How to Make a Tiny Desk AI Cat Video (4 Steps) — the same steps for an all-cat band.
- Dog Tiny Desk AI Videos: How to Make One With Your Dog (4 Steps) — the same steps for an all-dog band.
- Tiny Desk AI Meme Ideas: Who Goes on the Sax (and How) — casting ideas for a band of people.
