FAQ: Preventing Audio Drop Outs While Editing

Are you experiencing audio drop outs as you are playing back your sequence? I hope I can assist you in avoiding an irritating issue known as audio underrun. 

NLE apps, in general, are quite finicky when it comes to audio. You need to consider your own workflow when experiencing such problems. Are you optimizing these files before editing with them? Is your workflow considering other bottlenecks that may prevent smooth audio playback? These kinds of things are worth considering should you be experiencing audio playback problems.

In general, I have prevented such audio underrun issues in my own workflow by following a number of guidelines that were taught to me by pro-level trainers and from my experience as an editor over the years. I hope they help.

Here are guidelines that come to mind:

• Make sure the audio sample rate in Sequence Settings matches clip properties precisely.
• Avoid highly compressed audio media, like .mp3 files. 
  • Transcode these files to .wav or .aif using Media Encoder, Audition, or a third-party file conversion software like Apple Compressor, EditReady, or Shutter Encoder (freeware).
• Download only .wav and .aif audio files or transcode them. Random files downloaded from the internet often contain highly compressed audio media which is not optimal for video editing.
  • If necessary, transcode these files.
• Avoid editing audio-video clips that are highly compressed unless they are transcoded to an editing codec.
  • Consider editing with audio-video files that are transcoded to an editing codec, like ProRes, DNxHR, or GoPro Cineform to prevent bottlenecks that may affect audio underrun brought about by compressed audio-video media, like H.264/HEVC (Long GOP media). 
    • Working with Long GOP media can tax the system to the point where audio can drop out, especially if it contains a variable frame rate.
    • Editing codecs operate at lower overhead, so audio is more performant and less likely to experience underrun.
    • Transcoding audio-video files transcodes the audio to an appropriate audio codec that uses lower overhead.
• Increase the I/O Buffer Size in Preferences/Settings > Audio Hardware.
• Avoid the use of any devices that come into contact with audio that are not high speed capable. 
  • Bluetooth and USB 2 connected devices come to mind.
• Ensure that media cache is located on a separate high-speed drive, like an SSD.
• Delete media cache between major versions. Press Shift at launch to get Reset Options dialog box. Delete media cache from here.
• Review system requirements: You may need to exceed system requirements given the media you are working with. Ensure you have the latest drivers installed for your GPU and other hardware devices that are coming into contact with audio you are playing back. System requirements increase with successive versions of Premiere Pro.
• Reset preferences: reset preferences periodically to make sure that they are corrupt. Note: you may want to back up any custimizations, like keyboard shortcuts before doing so. Press Shift at launch to get Reset Options dialog box. Reset preferences from here.

If you have tried the above advice and it is still not helping with audio underrun, create a new thread with system specs and the media you are working with, and we can help you design a workflow that is resistant to audio underrun.

I hope the advice helps!

Thanks,
Kevin