stop deleting!!

Have you ever caught a glimpse of my ProTools timeline littered with muted clips and wondered, "Isn't this a bit messy? Shouldn't she just delete those things?"

Believe it or not, those muted clips are actually the unsung hero for efficient and flexible audio editing.

Here's why keeping them around can be a game-changer and make your clients love you.

Visual Editing Power:

For many of us, editing is a visual dance.

We rely heavily on the waveform to identify sections and speakers, allowing you to quickly scan and identify who's talking without ever needing to hit play.

Here's our downfall: a stray "yeah" or chuckle might slip through. Unlike trimming, you can easily unmute the section you missed and add a fade in seconds versus going back to your AAF and retrieving the missing section.

This saves you precious time in the long run.

AudioSuite Version Control:

We've all been there – you process a clip with iZotope RX Connect or add a touch of reverb, but then second guess yourself.

The beauty of muted clips? They act as a historical record.

Need to revert to a previous version of the processed audio? Simply delete your current attempt and unmute the earlier muted version.

This "draft" system is a lifesaver, especially when dealing with complex "Frankenbite" editing techniques.

Imagine the frustration (and wasted time) of having to redo all those edits – with muted clips, it's a breeze.

Client Review Hero:

Clients constantly love to switch back and forth between what was in the temp, then realize– yes, of course your version was miles better.

Literally happened to me today! A client wanted to hear the "original" Zoom audio after I spent some time restoring it.

Here's where muted clips become my editing superhero.

I muted the processed version, unmute the originally muted clip underneath, and boom – instant pre-restoration audio playback.

Predictably, they liked my version better, and inquired if it was even possible to revert it back to my original mix.

Not a problem, I simply unmuted my processed version again.

This lightning-fast turnaround keeps clients happy and your deadlines on track. This skill is especially important when an in-person review, they'll never want to review with anybody else.

Embrace the Mute:

Don't let a "messy" timeline fool you.

Muted clips are a powerful tool for visual editing, version control, and client revisions.

So the next time you reach for the delete button, consider the hidden potential of a simple mute.

You might just find yourself thanking those muted clips for saving the day (and your sanity) down the line.

If you ever want to peek behind my shoulder and see my editing/mixing workflow in real-time, consider joining Post Audio Pro! You’ll have instant access to 150+ hours of content to dive in and learn from. Hope to see you there 🫶🏽