Why is Premiere Pro's audio sync still so unreliable compared to PluralEyes

[TristanP]

I've been struggling with Premiere Pro's built-in audio synchronization tools and honestly, it's quite disappointing. Even with clearly matching audio sources (camera mic + external recorder), Premiere often fails to sync properly, or only syncs partially, creating messy staggered sequences.

Meanwhile, PluralEyes 3, a tool that I use since 10years, still does a significantly better job. It syncs faster, more accurately, and with less manual tweaking.

Why hasn't Adobe improved its audio sync functionality to match or exceed what PluralEyes has been doing for almost a decade?
I just want to be able to place all my video and audio clips on a single timeline, select them all, right click and choose synchronise...
Are there any plans to improve this in the near future?

Thanks in advance!

[R Neil Haugen]

Are you using the Multicam process in Premiere? That is the system for syncing separate sound and video in Premiere ... not the 'sync' tool on the timline.

[TristanP]

Yes, I'm aware of the multicam workflow, and that's what I'm using sometimes. The issue is that even through the official multicam synchronize by audio method, premiere often fails to detect matching waveforms, or creates staggered timelines where clips are offset or not aligned properly. Compared to pluralEyes, premiere is just not consistent or reliable when it comes to bulk syncing. I'm genuinely wondering if adobe is planning to improve this part of the workflow, especially for users who work with large volumes of footage and external audio.

[R Neil Haugen]

Premiere definitely needs the audio waveforms to not only be the same shape, but is also picky about being relatively the same amplitude. Which can be annoying.

One thing many of us don't think about is if you label clips metadata in the Project bin, as Camera 1, Camera 2, etc., then create the multicam clip/sequence whatever it is, you get more reliable results as far as probably fewer additional tracks created

[ScottSimmons]

One thing many of us don't think about is if you label clips metadata in the Project bin, as Camera 1, Camera 2, etc., then create the multicam clip/sequence whatever it is, you get more reliable results as far as probably fewer additional tracks created

 Correct me if I'm wrong but this only works when you're syncing with timecode as that where you get the option to use assigned camera angle, camera label metadata.

[ScottSimmons]

It's pretty good but I often find places where it fails. PluraEyes was amazing but now we have Syncalia. Do you know it?

Audio Waveform Sync Shootout: PluralEyes vs Syncaila

[TristanP]

I know and syncaila is pretty good as well both are fine! I agree! Premiere is definitely picky about waveform amplitude, and it's honestly quite frustrating. I recently edited a feature length docu-fiction, shot on the fly with multiple cameras and various mics placed in different locations. Premiere just couldn't handle it... the sync was unreliable and often unusable.

Pluraleyes was the only tool that gave me clean, properly synced sequences. There is no way I could have pulled it off with premiere alone. Especially considering how advanced adobe text-based editing, transcript, AI audio tools have become.. it’s wild that basic audio sync still lags behind so much. Really hoping to see improvements soon!

[R Neil Haugen]

Tristan, a big yup to all your post ... it really could use updating.