Studio 21.1.1
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FIXES & PROJECT SAFETY

How to diagnose audio drifting out of sync

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Constant offset and progressive drift are different problems. Measure the error at multiple points before moving clips or changing speed.

Before you begin

Save a recoverable copy and reproduce the issue on the shortest useful section.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Timeline out-of-sync indicator and correction menu
Timeline out-of-sync indicator and correction menu Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 916. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Find a clear sync event near the beginning and another near the end. Note whether the mismatch stays constant or increases over time.
  2. For a constant offset, align the correct source event and verify the rest of the take. Check whether an earlier independent trim caused the slip.
  3. For progressive drift, inspect source frame-rate behavior, clip interpretation, recorder settings, and any retiming applied in the timeline.
  4. Test a constant-frame-rate transcode for problematic variable-frame-rate video, or a carefully measured audio timing correction on a duplicate. Recheck beginning, middle, and end.

Check your result

Picture and sound align at several widely separated points without introducing audible artifacts.

If it doesn’t work as expected

Changing a WAV sample-rate label is not the same as proper resampling. Keep originals and use a controlled conversion rather than editing metadata until the duration happens to fit.

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Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.