Configure audio channels in Final Cut Pro for Mac

The number of channel options you can configure depends upon how many channels are in your source clip or compound clip. You can configure channels in several formats, including:

• Mono: Single channel. In a surround sound setup, you can assign a mono channel to any surround channel.

• Stereo: Left and right channels.

• 5.1 surround: Left, center, right, left surround, right surround, and low-frequency effects (subwoofer bass) channels.

If you configure more than six surround channels, Final Cut Pro automatically adjusts the channel mix down to 5.1 surround during playback.

1. In Final Cut Pro, select the clip in the timeline.

2. In the Audio Configuration section of the Audio inspector, click the Channels pop-up menu and choose an option.

   The channels appear in the Audio inspector as separate audio components, each with its own waveform.

   

   To assign a mono channel to a specific surround channel, select the mono channel waveform, then click the Channels pop-up menu and choose an option.

1. In Final Cut Pro, select the clip in the timeline.

2. In the Audio Configuration section of the Audio inspector, skim over a component or play it back using the Space bar or the J, K, and L keys.

   

You can enable or disable audio components in a clip. For example, you may want to disable unused components in a clip.

By default, all active audio components in a clip appear as selected in the Audio inspector and are arranged in the same order when the clip is expanded to show audio components in the timeline. To learn more about viewing audio components, see Ways to view audio clips in Final Cut Pro for Mac.

When you disable an audio component, it appears dimmed in the Audio inspector and is removed from the clip’s component arrangement in the timeline.

1. In Final Cut Pro, select the clip in the timeline.

2. In the Audio Configuration section of the Audio inspector, do one of the following:

   • Disable a component: Deselect the checkbox next to the component waveform.

   • Enable a component: Select the checkbox next to the component waveform.