Guide
How to sync multicam footage
Lining up footage from several cameras and separate audio recorders, the three ways to do it, how each editor does it, and what to do when you've got a whole day of takes.
The three ways to sync
- By sound (waveform). Every camera records scratch audio; software finds where the waveforms line up with each other and with the recorder. Needs nothing special on set, and it's what most editors use.
- By timecode. Cameras and recorders share a timecode signal (jam-synced, usually with small boxes such as Tentacle or Deity). Clips line up by their timecode. Very fast, and works for cameras without microphones, but only if every device was jammed properly.
- By slate or clap. A clapperboard or a hand clap gives a sharp spike and a visible moment to line up by hand. Slow for many clips, but a good backup for the other two.
On set: make syncing easy later
- Record scratch audio on every camera, even if you'll never use it. It's what sound sync matches against.
- Start the audio recorder before the cameras and stop it after.
- Clap or slate at the start of each take; it helps every method.
- If you use timecode, jam every device at the start of the day and again after lunch.
- Set camera clocks to the right date and time; good software can use them to narrow things down.
- Offload each card into its own folder, named after the camera or recorder (
A cam,B cam,Zoom).
In your editor
Every major editor can sync a few clips by sound itself. These work well for a single take or a short interview.
Premiere Pro
- Two clips: select a video clip and its audio in the project panel, right-click, Merge Clips, and choose Audio as the sync point.
- On a timeline: select the clips, right-click, Synchronize, and choose Audio.
- Multicam: select the clips, right-click, Create Multi-Camera Source Sequence, and choose Audio as the sync point.
DaVinci Resolve
- Video with separate audio: select the clips in the media pool, right-click, Auto Sync Audio, then Based on Waveform (or Based on Timecode).
- Multicam: select the clips, right-click, Create New Multicam Clip Using Selected Clips, and set Angle Sync to Sound or Timecode.
Final Cut Pro
- Video with separate audio: select the clips in the browser and choose Clip → Synchronize Clips.
- Multicam: select the clips, File → New → Multicam Clip, and tick Use audio for synchronization.
Avid Media Composer
- By timecode or marks: AutoSync.
- By sound: group the clips and choose Waveform Analysis as the sync method.
Menu names change between versions; check your editor's help if one has moved.
When built-in sync isn't enough
Built-in sync works one take or one group at a time. It gets slow and error-prone when you have:
- a whole day (or several) of takes from three cameras and two recorders,
- cameras whose clocks were never set, so clips don't sort into takes,
- long takes where a recorder slowly drifts out of sync,
- clips that silently land in the wrong place, and no list of which ones.
That's what dedicated sync tools are for. Clam Sync takes the whole shoot folder, syncs every camera and recorder by sound and by timecode where it agrees, works out wrong camera clocks, flags drift, parks anything it can't place at the end, and gives you a timeline for Premiere Pro, Resolve, Final Cut Pro or Avid. See getting started.