How to Sync Audio to Video Files
To receive the best audio recording, often advanced to professional camera crews record the audio and video to different sources. Whether its a simple mp3 portable recorder interviewing a subject out in the field or a USB recording microphone as part of an Internet TV/radio show, a separate audio sound file will be superior in quality to the standard camera mic on a video camera. If you are an amateur, syncing the audio and video is achieved on a computer with software designed to do so. Using the Windows Movie Maker software included in Windows operating systems, here are the basic steps to sync audio and video files.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Open the Windows Movie Maker on your computer. Click the "Video" or "From Digital Video Camera" button on the task bar to import the video file. Once completed, drag the video file to the timeline and it will appear on the top bar.
-
2
Click the "Audio" button on the task bar to import the audio file. Find the audio button under the "Import" section on the task bar, fourth down from the top. Drag the audio file to the timeline and it will appear under the video file labeled either "Audio" or "Audio/Music."
-
-
3
Click the "Zoom" timeline icon, right above the video timeline file, to zoom in on the files. Look at the audio file's levels, peaks and valleys, and find the point you want to begin the file and sync with the video.
-
4
Click on the audio area and grab it to move left or right to sync. Click the "Zoom" icon again if you need to find a more precise sync point. Look above the video file on the timeline to see the time code; use the code as another sync point. Play the file and tweak it until the desired sync point has been attained.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Create a visual "Sync" moment while video recording. If you don't have an audio slate, before the action have a person in front of the camera slap their hands together. This simple sync point is effective.
Write notes while recording. If you hear a desirable sound byte, write down what was said. This will save time in editing.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit audio mixer and human hand image by Alfonso d"Agostino from Fotolia.com
