6 min read
Your first audio editing workflow: from import to clean export
Audio editing is easier when you follow a clear order. Here is the exact workflow beginner editors should use on every project.
Jumping into audio editing without a plan usually leads to messy timelines and inconsistent mixes. A simple workflow keeps you focused and makes the final export predictable. Follow the same five steps on every project and adjust the details as you learn.
Step 1: import and organize
Import every audio file into your project. Create tracks for dialogue, music, sound effects, and ambience. Name each clip with scene, take, and source. If you have a poly WAV, split it into mono stems first so each microphone has its own track. A clean organization saves hours later.
Step 2: sync and align
If you recorded sound separately from camera, sync every clip. Use waveform sync if you have a reference track, or timecode if the set was jammed. Once synced, delete or mute the camera audio and keep the external recorder track. Check for sync drift by comparing the end of long takes.
Step 3: clean the dialogue
Listen to the dialogue on its own. Remove unwanted sounds, split long takes around usable parts, and reduce background noise. Apply a high-pass filter to remove rumble and use noise reduction sparingly. The goal is to make the dialogue clear, not sterile.
Step 4: balance and mix
Set dialogue levels first, then add music, effects, and ambience around them. Use volume automation or clip gain to smooth loud and quiet sections. Keep dialogue between -12 and -6 dBFS, music under -18 dBFS when voice is present, and effects lower than the dialogue peaks.
Step 5: export and archive
Export a stereo WAV for delivery and a safety copy in the same format. If the project might be mixed later, export stems for dialogue, music, effects, and ambience. Archive the original camera files, the original audio files, and the project file together. Never archive only the final export.