SPRO2004 - Sync Audio and Video Files

Owned by Adam Barrett
Last updated: Mar 08, 2021
4 min read

This guide will take you through the process of synching video with externally recorded audio.

The goal is to make merged clips in the Project panel, in which the the video and the audio tracks are linked to make one independent clip.

The first step is to synchronise the video and the audio using IN Points (or OUT points if there was a tailslate).

If you have any questions, or would like to expand your knowledge, do not hesitate to ask a post-production specialist.

First, create three bins in the Project Panel:

- Merged

- RAW Audio

- RAW Video

Import your raw video in your RAW Video Bin.

Import your audio in your RAW Audio Bin.

Name your media - Keeping track of media can get out of hand very, VERY, VERY, quickly in this environment, so be on top of it from the get-go!!

Next, open the Video Clip you want to sync in the Source Panel.

Scrub through the beginning or end of the clip and find the frame where the clapper hits the top of the slate. Hit the I key on the keyboard to set an IN point at this frame (or hit the O key to set an OUT point if you have a tailslate).

You can use the Back/Forward arrow keys to move through the clip to find the exact frame where the clapper connects. You should also still have reference audio recorded with your vision.

Next, open each audio clip you want to merge into the Source and repeat the above process, identifying instead the frame of the audio where you first hear the clap.

You can use the Back/Forward arrow keys to move through the clip to find the exact frame where the clapper sound first appears.

Repeat the process for every audio clip you want to sync.

The next step is to create a merged clip, in which the video clip and the audio clips are combined into one independent clip, that exists in the browser.

Merged Clips are Proxy File

The Merged Clip is not an external media file, it is simply a proxy file that points to the different pieces of media that has been merged into it.

In the Project Panel, select/highlight the video clip and the audio clips that you have synchronised.

Merging with Multiple Audio Clips

You can merge up to one video clip and 24 audio clips.

Right click on one of the highlighted pieces of media and select Merge Clips... from the contextual menu

OR

Choose Clip > Merge Clips... from the top menu

In the Merge Clips dialogue box that appears, select the method by which to synchronize the clips: Based on IN point, or Based on OUT point.

Be sure to select the 'Remove Audio From AV Clip' check box - this will remove any reference audio attached to the original video file.

Next, click OK.

In the Project Panel, a new clip will appear labeled the same as the original video clip, but with the word ‘Merged’ attached to the end.

Move the clip to the Merged Bin.

Rinse and Repeat for all your clips.

Synch Audio with Audio

Audio-only clips may be merged with other audio-only clips; a video clip is not a requirement for a merged clip. Only one clip containing video may be used.  

Need Help?

Contact a Post-Production Support Specialist