A complete DaVinci Resolve audio/video synchronization workflow: Auto Sync Audio, Waveform, Timecode, Clip Attributes, manual alignment and clock-drift troubleshooting for long interviews and podcasts.
What automatic sync needs
Waveform sync works best when the camera recorded reference audio and the external recorder captured the same speech, clap or other common event. Confirm the files belong to the same take before syncing.
Auto Sync Audio Based on Waveform
Select the video clip and matching external audio in the Media Pool and run Auto Sync Audio Based on Waveform. Resolve compares the common signal and associates the recordings. Depending on the command variant, camera audio can be kept or replaced.
- Select the video and external audio clip.
- Run Auto Sync Audio Based on Waveform.
- Choose whether camera audio should be retained or replaced.
- Open the clip and listen at several points.
Timecode synchronization
When camera and recorder used properly synchronized timecode, timecode sync can be more reliable than waveform on large shoots. It only helps when the devices were actually jammed/configured correctly on set.
Verify Clip Attributes and channel mapping
After Auto Sync, open Clip Attributes → Audio and confirm channel mapping. Common problems include doubled camera audio, the wrong external channel or stereo material interpreted differently than expected.
Sync clips already on the timeline
Align by waveform or manually using a distinct transient such as a clap or consonant. After alignment, zoom in and inspect several frames around the event.
When waveform sync fails
Find a distinct transient manually, align it and listen before and after the sync point.
- Weak or missing camera reference.
- Mismatched takes.
- One file has a heavily trimmed start.
- The recordings do not share comparable dialogue/music.
- Noise or processing makes waveforms too different.
Long-recording drift
If the start matches but audio slowly drifts over 30–60 minutes, you are likely dealing with device clock-rate differences rather than a bad starting point. Apply a very small stretch/retime correction or split the recording into logical segments.
A different problem: video imports as audio only
If Resolve sees the audio but cannot decode the picture, that is not a synchronization problem. Check codec/profile support, operating-system decoding and Resolve edition. A separate troubleshooting lesson covers this intent so synchronization and video-decoding problems stay clearly separated.
Key takeaway
Waveform Auto Sync handles most normal jobs. Always verify the take, channel mapping, a transient near the start and sync again near the end of a long recording.