The shortcut to open the audio waveform in After Effects is to press the "L" key twice (LL) when the audio layer is selected in the timeline panel.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Select the Audio Layer: First, click on the audio layer in your After Effects timeline that you want to view the waveform for.
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Press "L" Twice (LL): With the audio layer selected, quickly press the "L" key twice in succession. This is sometimes referred to as "LL".
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Waveform Appears: This action will reveal the audio waveform directly below the audio layer in the timeline. You'll see a visual representation of the audio's amplitude over time, allowing you to visually identify peaks, valleys, and silence.
Why is this useful?
Being able to see the audio waveform is incredibly helpful for:
- Syncing audio with video: You can easily align visual elements with specific audio cues, like a beat or a spoken word.
- Editing audio levels: Visually identifying peaks allows you to adjust volume and prevent clipping.
- Creating visual effects that react to the audio: The waveform helps in setting up keyframes or expressions that respond to the audio's rhythm and intensity.
