How to Edit Audio in Premiere Pro (5 Easy Steps)

Audio editing in Premiere Pro can seem tricky at first, but it gets simple once you know where to look. Whether you're adjusting volume, cutting pauses, or cleaning up voice, these steps will help, no extra plugins needed. Let’s walk through it together.

1. Import and organize your audio

First things first, bring your audio into the project.

1. Drag your audio file into the Project panel
2. Drop it onto the timeline where you want it
3. If it's part of a video clip, right-click and choose Unlink so you can edit the audio separately

From here, it's easier to move things around without affecting the video track.

2. Cut unwanted parts with the Razor Tool

Got a long pause or a section you want to remove?

1. Press C on your keyboard to activate the Razor Tool
2. Click on the part of the audio where you want to cut
3. Press V to switch back to Selection Tool
4. Click on the unwanted section and hit Delete

You can also use ripple delete (right-click > Ripple Delete) if you want everything after that section to slide left automatically.

3. Adjust volume levels

If something sounds too loud or too quiet:

1. Select your clip in the timeline
2. Go to the Effect Controls panel
3. Under Volume, adjust the Level slider up or down

Or just drag that white horizontal line across your audio clip up or down directly on the timeline. That’s often quicker for small tweaks.

4. Use keyframes for more control

Want volume changes within one clip? Like fading out music under dialogue?

1. Expand your audio track height so you can see it better
2. Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click on the white line to add keyframes
3. Drag those points up/down to fade in or out gradually

This gives you way more control than just cutting clips apart.

5. Clean up background noise with Essential Sound

Premiere has a built-in tool for improving voice clarity:

1. Select your audio clip
2. Go to Window > Essential Sound
3. Click Dialogue, then check options like Reduce Noise and Reduce Reverb

You don’t need perfect settings here, just play around until it sounds better. It won’t fix everything, but it helps a lot with echoey rooms or low hums.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you edit audio in Premiere Pro?

Yes, Premiere Pro has solid built-in tools for editing audio. You can trim clips, adjust volume levels, add fades, clean up background noise, and even apply effects, all without leaving the program.

How to adjust audio in Premiere Pro?

To adjust volume:

1. Select your clip.
2. Go to Effect Controls.
3. Find Volume > Level.
4. Drag the slider up/down.
   Or drag the white line on the timeline clip directly for quick changes.

How do I cut out parts of audio in Premiere Pro?

Use these steps:

1. Press C for Razor Tool.
2. Click where you want cuts.
3. Switch back with V.
4. Select unwanted parts and press Delete.
5. Use Ripple Delete if needed.

Is there a way to clean up audio in Premiere Pro?

Yes! Use Essential Sound:

1. Select your clip.
2. Open Window > Essential Sound.
3. Tag as Dialogue.
4. Enable Reduce Noise or Reduce Reverb.
   It won’t fix everything but helps reduce background hums and echo.