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How to Automatically Sync Audio and Video Easily? Ultimate Guide [2024]

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Sep 04, 24, updated Oct 10, 24

There's nothing more frustrating than investing hours into filming and editing a video, only to find that the audio doesn’t match the visuals. It's a problem that can instantly ruin the impact of your work. Whether you're preparing a project for a client, sharing a special moment with loved ones, or creating content for your audience, out-of-sync audio and video can waste your entire effort.

To sync video with music properly is more than just a technical detail; it's the key to delivering a seamless and engaging viewer experience. When the audio lags or races ahead of the visuals, it pulls the viewer out of the moment, disrupting the connection you've worked hard to create.

Unfortunately, this issue is all too common, arising from various factors like recording equipment limitations, remote recording challenges, or editing mistakes.

In this guide, we'll discuss the most effective ways to sync audio and video, whether you're on a Mac or PC. Read on!

sync video with music
In this article
  1. Reasons Why Video Can Be Out of Sync With Audio
  2. Different Effective Ways to Sync Audio to Video Easily
  3. Best Practices for Syncing Audio and Video

Part 1. Reasons Why Video Can Be Out of Sync with Audio

So, why do audio and video sometimes go out of sync? There are a few reasons that can occur during the recording or editing process.

  • People often record the sound and picture separately for things like vlogs or interviews to get better-quality audio.
  • Another reason is if you're recording audio from a different place than the video. For example, if you're making a lip-sync video, you might record your voice in a studio and then add it to the video later.
  • Different cameras and microphones might record things at slightly different speeds, which can mess up the sync. Also, if there's a delay in your internet connection, it can cause the audio and video to get out of sync.
  • The way your video is saved or edited can also be a problem. If the video file is damaged or if the audio and video parts are different lengths, it can cause sync issues.

Part 2. Different Effective Ways to Sync Audio to Video Easily

Now that you know why audio and video can get out of sync, let's discuss some popular and professional methods to sync audio to video.

1. Sync Audio and Video Using Wondershare Filmora

[Method 1] Sync Audio to Video Using Manual Alignment:

This is the most recommended way to sync audio and video. It takes patience, but it can be done!

  • Step 1: Import Video Clip
  • Bring your video clip onto the timeline. Simply drag and drop it there. You’ll notice waveforms appearing in the timeline, representing the audio in your video. To make these waveforms easier to see, you can adjust the video track height.

    manually sync audio and video

    Step 2: Add and Sync Audio Clip

    Next, drag your audio file onto the audio timeline. The waveforms here are key to syncing your clips. Although Filmora will help get them close, you’ll likely need to fine-tune the alignment.

    sync audio clip
  • Step 3: Fine-Tuning the Sync
  • Right-click on your timeline and ensure that ‘Enable Timeline Snap’ is turned off. This allows for more precise adjustments. Zooming in on the timeline can also help with accuracy. Focus on matching peaks in the waveform rather than the lower points.

    fine-tune your audio sync
  • Step 4: Listening and Final Adjustments
  • Once you’ve got the clips nearly aligned, play the video to check for any echo. A slight echo indicates the clips are still a bit out of sync. Make minor adjustments until the audio sounds just right. If you zoom in too close, it might get tricky to nudge the clips, so adjust the zoom level if needed.

  • Step 5: Final Editing Touches
  • After you sync music with video perfectly, return the track height to normal and trim any unwanted sections. Don’t forget to re-enable ‘Timeline Snap’ to make sure any future edits keep your clips aligned.

    edit your audio video sync

    Bonus Tip:

    If your audio starts drifting out of sync as the video progresses, it could be due to a mismatch in sampling rates. Most video cameras use a 48 kHz sampling rate, but software might default to 44.1 kHz or something else. Always check the sampling rates in your software before recording to avoid sync issues later.

    [Method 2] Sync Audio to Video Using a Clapperboard or Slate

    If you're making a professional video, using a clapperboard (or even just clapping your hands) can help you sync the audio to video later. Here's how to use it:

    sync audio with music using a clapperboard
  • Step 1. Begin your video recording with a distinct clap of the clapperboard. Ensure the clap is loud and clear in both the audio and video recordings.
  • Step 2. Import both the video and audio files into the video editing software Wondershare Filmora.
  • Step 3. Carefully examine both the audio and video waveforms to pinpoint the exact moment of the clap.
  • Step 4. Adjust the audio timeline until the audio clap perfectly aligns with the visual clap in the video.
  • [Method 3] Auto Sync Audio and Video Using Wondershare Filmora Auto Beat Sync [Recommended Method]

    Wondershare Filmora offers a professional and efficient tool called Auto Beat Sync to auto-sync audio and video. Here's how to use it:

  • Step 1. Open > Wondershare Filmora and then, go to the AI Tools and select > Auto Beat Sync.
  • auto sync audio and video in Filmora
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  • Step 2. Import both your video and audio files in the Project Media
  • import media in Filmora
  • Step 3. Click Analyze and Filmora's Auto Beat Sync will analyze the audio and video and automatically align them based on their content.
  • analyze in auto beat sync tool
  • Step 4. Review the synced result and export your final file in the desired format.
  • export your files

    2. Sync Audio With Music Using the VLC Media Player

    VLC is a free, open-source, and cross-platform multimedia player that supports most media file formats. Besides playing and converting media files, this is a great program to sync audio and video. Here's how to do it:

    sync video to music in VLC media player

    [Option 1] Manually Syncing Video and Audio

  • Step 1. Start playing your video and identify if the audio and video are out of sync.
  • Step 2. To slow down the audio, press K on your keyboard. To speed up the audio, press J. For Mac users, the shortcuts are G to slow down and F to speed up.
  • Step 3. Each press of the hotkey adjusts the audio by 50 milliseconds. Continue pressing until the audio and video are perfectly synchronized.
  • [Option 2] Automatically Syncing Video and Audio

  • Step 1. Go to Tools and select Effect and Filters. Click on the Synchronization tab.
  • Step 2. In the Audio/Video section, input the necessary numerical value to adjust the sync.
  • Step 3. Once the sync is adjusted to your satisfaction, press the Close button.
  • 3. Sync Audio to Video with Windows Movie Maker

    If you're facing difficulty in syncing video to music in Windows Movie Maker, here are two effective solutions:

    sync audio to video in Windows Movie Maket

    [Solution 1] Edit the Audio Clip to Sync with the Video

    To resolve sync issues, you can separate the audio from the video and adjust the timing by delaying or cutting unnecessary parts. Follow these steps:

  • Step 1. Click the "+" button to import your video clip. It will automatically be placed on the main video track, or you can drag it directly onto the video track.
  • Step 2. Select the video clip in the timeline, right-click, and choose "Detach Audio." The audio will be automatically moved to the audio track.
  • Step 3. Drag the audio clip forward or backward to sync it with the video. Click the "Play" icon to preview and check the performance.
  • Step 4. To split the audio or video clip, select it in the timeline, hover over the point where you want to split, and click when the "scissors" icon appears. Right-click the unused clip and select "Remove." Preview the changes to ensure everything is in sync.
  • [Solution 2] Change the Video's Frame Rate to a Constant Rate

    If the sync issue is due to fluctuating frame rates caused by the recording device or software settings, you can convert the video to a constant frame rate. Here's how:

  • Step 1. Right-click the video clip in the media library, select "Properties," and note the frame rate.
  • Step 2. Click the "Export" button, choose the MOV format, and use the same frame rate. Ensure the audio is disabled in the exported video.
  • Step 3. Import the MOV clip to the main video track, then delete the original video from the timeline. Drag the detached audio clip to the same starting position, and click "Play" to check the sync. If the problem persists, use the split function to further edit the video clip.
  • A Comparison of Software Methods

    Software Features Pricing Recommendation
    1.Wondershare Filmora Auto-beat sync, manual alignment, advanced editing tools, audio effects Paid subscription Highly recommended for best results and ease of use
    2.VLC Media Player Open-source, basic video editing, timecode display Free Limited functionality for audio-video sync, better suited for playback
    3.Windows Movie Maker Basic video editing, timeline-based audio adjustment Free Suitable for simple projects with basic needs

    Part 3. Best Practices for Syncing Audio and Video

     Want to achieve the best possible results? Follow these tips to sync video to music :

    • Use a good-quality external microphone to capture clear audio. Better audio makes it easier to match with the video.
    • Use a Clapperboard or clap to create a clear audio and visual marker that you can use to align the audio and video precisely.
    • For professional projects, consider using timecode sync systems. This ensures accurate synchronization between different cameras and audio recorders.
    • Take advantage of the tools and features your video editing software like Filmora offers for syncing audio and video.
    • Throughout your editing process, keep checking the audio-video sync to maintain consistency.

    Conclusion

    In video production, audio-video synchronization is crucial for creating a professional and engaging experience. When audio and video are out of sync, it distracts viewers and diminishes the quality of your content. This guide covered different methods to sync audio to video, including using Wondershare Filmora, VLC, and Windows Movie Maker. Each technique ensures your final product is polished and professional.

    Remember, choosing the right method depends on your specific needs and the complexity of your project. For a professional editing experience, consider using Wondershare Filmora—an advanced user-friendly software program to sync audio and video. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Filmora is an excellent choice for achieving perfect synchronization.

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    James Hogan
    James Hogan Oct 10, 24
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