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How do you make audio markers in After Effects?

Published in After Effects Audio 2 mins read

You can create audio markers in Adobe After Effects by selecting a point on the audio waveform in the Timeline panel and pressing Ctrl + 8 (Windows) or Cmd + 8 (macOS).

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Creating Audio Markers in After Effects

Adding audio markers is a simple yet powerful way to sync visual elements with audio cues within your After Effects compositions.

Steps:

  1. Import Audio: Import your audio file into your After Effects project and add it to a composition's timeline.
  2. Open Timeline Panel: Ensure the Timeline panel is open and visible. If it isn't, go to Window > Timeline.
  3. Select Audio Layer: In the Timeline panel, select the layer containing your audio.
  4. Navigate to the Point: Move the current-time indicator (the playhead) to the exact point in the audio waveform where you want to add a marker. You can zoom in on the waveform for greater precision.
  5. Add Marker: Press Ctrl + 8 (Windows) or Cmd + 8 (macOS). This will create an audio marker at the current-time indicator's position on the selected audio layer.
  6. Name and Edit Marker (Optional): Double-click the marker icon in the Timeline panel to open the Marker dialog box. Here, you can add a name, comment, duration, chapter, cue point, or URL, as well as change the marker's color. These details can be useful for organization or scripting.

Alternative Method:

  • Right-Click Method: Right-click within the audio layer's time ruler (the area showing timecodes) at the desired location, and select "Add Marker" from the context menu. This also opens the Marker dialog box.

Using Audio Markers

Once you've added audio markers, you can use them to:

  • Sync Animations: Align animation keyframes to specific audio beats or cues.
  • Trigger Effects: Use expressions to trigger visual effects based on marker positions.
  • Navigate the Timeline: Quickly jump between important audio events.
  • Collaborate More Effectively: Markers can communicate specific points to other collaborators on a project.

By strategically placing audio markers, you can create more dynamic and synchronized After Effects compositions.

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