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After Effects was developed primarily as an image manipulation application, so its audio capabilities are less well rounded than high-end dedicated sound-music sequencer/mixer programs. But, nevertheless, After Effects does offer some rudimentary audio mix and SFX capabilities, as well as the ability to use audio as a source for several of its visual effects filters and other third-party plug-ins.
Motion graphics productions often have an audio track for the designer to work from. Whether it be a click-track or full custom-finished mix, knowing how to properly synchronize your visuals to a soundtrack will greatly improve your productivity and indispensability.
Sometimes the music drives the graphic design other times, the graphics determine the music. Either way, your project s visual cadence should reflect the musical resource s rhythm and attitude.
In the WONK TV project, an audio track has been provided as a foundation for constructing your graphics. Select the AniMill_Countdown.mp3 audio layer and press L to open the Audio properties; pressing L twice in quick succession opens the Audio layer s Waveform Display.
Press the L key twice. When first opened, the Waveform Display is very narrow and provides only a low-resolution view of your track s amplitude variations this can make finding critical beats and sync points tough if the track s overall amplitude changes little. Enlarge the Waveform Display by dragging downward the thin white separator line directly under the Waveform Display (highlighted in magenta below).
Adjusting the Audio Levels value...
