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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Put the video and the separate audio on the timeline
Drag your video clip into the timeline, then drag the separate audio file (for example a recording from an external microphone) onto an audio track underneath it. At this point the two do not match. The audio file starts in the wrong place, so the sound and picture are out of sync.
The video clip also has its own built-in camera audio. That is useful here, because Premiere compares the waveform of the camera audio with the waveform of the better recording and uses it as a guide.
Step 2: Select both clips and choose Synchronize
Select the video clip and the separate audio clip together. Click one, hold Shift and click the other, or drag a selection box around both. Then right-click one of the selected clips and choose Synchronize from the menu.
Step 3: Sync by audio track channel
The Synchronize Clips window gives you several ways to line up the clips: Clip Start, Clip End, Timecode, Clip Marker and Audio track channel. Choose Audio track channel, leave the channel on 1 and click OK. Premiere analyses the sound in both clips and slides the audio clip until the waveforms match.
Step 4: Check the sync
Zoom into the timeline and look at the two waveforms. When the sync worked, the bumps and gaps in the camera audio and the separate audio line up exactly, as in the picture at the top of this post. Play a short section to double-check that the voice matches the lips. If the waveforms still look off, undo and run Synchronize again, or make sure both clips really contain the same sound.
Step 5: Group or link the clips and tidy up
Once the clips are in sync, you do not want to knock them out of alignment while editing. Select both, right-click and choose Group, so they move together. To hear only the better recording, mute or delete the camera audio track. If you edit with the clips linked or grouped, you can trim and move them as one.
Tips
- Record a clear sound at the start. A clap or a short phrase gives Premiere a strong waveform to match, and it makes manual checking easier.
- Always record camera audio too. Even if it sounds poor, the built-in microphone is the reference that makes automatic syncing possible.
- Zoom in to verify. Press the + key in the timeline for a closer look at the waveforms.
FAQ
How do I sync audio and video in Premiere Pro?
Select the video clip and the separate audio clip, right-click and choose Synchronize, pick Audio track channel and click OK. Premiere moves the audio clip so its waveform matches the camera audio.
Why is my audio out of sync with my video?
Separate recorders start at different times, and some cameras drift slightly over longer takes. Synchronizing by waveform fixes the offset.
Do I need the camera audio to sync clips?
Yes, when you sync by audio track channel. Premiere compares the waveform of the video's own audio with the separate recording, so both need to contain the same sound.
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