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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Zoom in as far as you normally can
First, zoom into the timeline as far as the normal controls allow. You can use the zoom bar at the bottom of the timeline, or press = to zoom in and - to zoom out. By default Premiere Pro stops at one frame, so you can see no finer detail than that. At this point the timeline ruler shows frames, and the audio waveform looks like a flat block.
Step 2: Right-click the time ruler
Right-click on the time ruler, the numbers along the top of the timeline. A menu appears with options such as Add Marker, Add Chapter Marker, Show Audio Time Units and Time Ruler Numbers.
Step 3: Turn on Show Audio Time Units
Click Show Audio Time Units. The numbers on the ruler change from frames to much smaller audio units, and the timeline can now zoom much further than a single frame. This is the same setting that you can also reach from the timeline panel menu.
Step 4: Zoom in even further
Now zoom in again with the zoom bar or the = key. The timeline keeps zooming in past the frame level, and the audio waveform stretches out as you do. You can see that the audio clip changes as you get closer, showing the exact shape of the sound.
Step 5: Use it to sync audio and video precisely
This much detail is useful when you need to line up audio and video exactly. For example, you can match a sound effect to the very start of a hit, or align a clap in a recording with the picture. Zoom in on the spike in the waveform, then drag the clip so the spike lands exactly where you want it.
Tips
- Switch it off again. Right-click the ruler and click Show Audio Time Units a second time to go back to frame-based timecode.
- Use shortcuts. Press \ to fit the whole sequence in view again after a deep zoom.
- Nudge, do not drag. With a clip selected, use Alt + Left/Right (Option on Mac) to nudge it in small steps.
FAQ
How do I zoom in more in the Premiere Pro timeline?
Right-click the time ruler and choose Show Audio Time Units, then zoom in again. The timeline now zooms past a single frame.
Why can I not zoom in further than one frame?
By default the timeline is limited to frames. Audio time units give you much finer steps for editing sound.
What is this useful for?
Lining up audio with video, cutting out tiny clicks and placing sound effects exactly on a beat. If you need to remove a mic pop, take a look at our plugin guide.
Precise audio edits work best with good sound effects, and this pack gives you a handy starter set. Get the sound effects pack
