When working with multiple cameras, lots of videos, and sound files, you tend to get overwhelmed by the quantity of material you have to work with. Usually, the production team does a good job and gives you everything sorted up.
It’s a huge help for video editors and for that, we should thank them. However, we still have to sync the audio for all our cameras, not only the audio but the video, too. Let’s get into it and see how to sync audio in DaVinci Resolve.
To be honest, I am impressed with how user-friendly and well-optimized Resolve is. It makes everything straightforward once you get to know it a little bit more. At first, I used Adobe Premiere Pro, but when I transitioned, I started to notice the cool stuff. Don’t get me wrong, Premiere is still one of the best editing software out there. At the end of the day, it all depends on our individual preferences.
What is the difference between Waveform & Timecode?
The difference is quite simple.
- The waveform is the visual graph of waves showing the volume of an audio file.

- Timecode is the synced-up time of all cameras and audio devices on a film set. This is mainly used on Film or TV sets where there are many devices working together. They sync them all on the exact same timecode so that it’s easy to sync them in post-production.
Syncing audio in DaVinci Resolve (Waveform or Timecode)
Quick guide to sync in the timeline
In the “Edit” mode, assuming that you already have your video and audio in the timeline, highlight them both, and right-click > Auto Sync Audio > Based on Waveform.

This will sync the video and audio together in the timeline.
Video tutorial
Scroll down for written methods and more details.
Method 1 – Using the Timeline
This method works well when you have multiple cameras in your timeline that you need to sync up.
When you have 2 or 3 cameras used for the same shot on your timeline, you sure want them to be synced. So you can choose freely between them without worrying they will not match. This is a must in video editing!
- To do so, simply select the videos and the audio in your timeline that you want to sync
- Right-click the selection, go to “Auto Align Clips”
- Select one of the two options “Based on Timecode” or “Based on Waveform“. In our case, “Based on Waveform” is the winner.

There you have it! This is what you must do to sync audio in DaVinci Resolve in your timeline. Follow these simple steps, and you will speed up your workflow considerably.
Method 2 – Using the “Media Pool”
In the past, I used to struggle a lot to manually drag and match the audio files, frame by frame, til I got it right. Of course, this method does its job, but you lose precious time in the making. DaVinci Resolve does a pretty good job syncing audio clips automatically — you don’t have to waste time anymore.
To sync audio in DaVinci Resolve, all you have to do is go inside the “Edit” tab, select the video and the audio you want to sync in the “Media Pool”, right-click the selection, go to “Auto Sync Audio”, select the Waveform and Append Tracks option and that’s it!
1. Go to the “Edit” tab & select the media in the media pool
Once you are in the Edit tab, highlight your video and audio in the media pool that you want to sync & right-click them.
2. Go to “Auto Sync Audio”
Go to “Auto Sync Audio” and choose one of the 4 options: Based on Timecode, Based on Timecode and Append Tracks, Based on Waveform, Based on Waveform and Append Tracks.
You will choose Timecode if you have the timecode information. Most of the time, you will not unless you are on a film set using Timecode.
Therefore, use Waveform. When you’re filming, make sure you make some clap noise at the start. This way, you will help with the syncing process.

3. Drag the chosen media to the timeline
After you select Waveform, drag the video clip inside the timeline. It will automatically have the synced audio attached to it. The only problem is that it only shows the new audio and not the old one. This is why there is another option for both Waveform and Timecode to add the Append Tracks.
By selecting to add the Append Tracks option, DaVinci Resolve will give you both the original and the synced audio. Of course, you will still have to drag your footage inside the timeline.
