How to Use the Shift-Command-M Shortcut to Match Audio in Final Cut Pro

Keyboard shortcut: ShiftCommandM

When two clips were recorded with different microphones, cutting between them can sound jarring. Match Audio, with the shortcut Shift-Command-M, helps the clips sound more alike.

What Shift-Command-M Does

Match Audio matches the sound between clips. You pick a clip that sounds the way you want, and Final Cut Pro applies an equalization adjustment to your selected clip so its tone is closer to that reference.

It's important to know what it doesn't do: Match Audio doesn't sync or line up clips. If you need to sync separately recorded audio to video, use Synchronize Clips (Option-Command-G) instead.

How to Use It

  1. In the Timeline, select the clip whose sound you want to change.
  2. Press Shift-Command-M.
  3. Final Cut Pro asks you to choose a reference. Skim to and click the clip that has the sound you want to match.
  4. Click Apply Match.
  5. Play across the two clips to hear the difference.

The adjustment shows up in the Audio inspector as an equalization setting, so you can review it or change it later.

Practical Uses

  • Lav and camera mic: Make a camera mic clip sound closer to your lav so a cut between them doesn't jump out.
  • Different days or rooms: Help pickup lines recorded later blend with the original interview.

Tips

  • Choose a reference with clean, typical sound, not a moment with music or loud background noise.
  • Match Audio is a starting point. Always listen on good headphones and adjust levels separately, because matching tone isn't the same as matching volume.

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