Unable to join silent parts in audio files on Final Cut Pro

Question

Unable to join silent parts in audio files on Final Cut Pro

I have a half hour of thunderstorm audio I recorded on Voice Memo. I entered that audio into FCP. I want to remove the sections of the audio file that are silent, and have the non-silent parts follow in sequence without a gap in the sound. I have "removed" the silent parts, but I can't get the parts with sound to join one another. I've spent about 90 minutes with the user manual and video tutorials, but I can't find how to do this. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Final Cut Pro, Editing Audio

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jun 27, 2025 6:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Larrie Easterly

Level 2

261 points

Jun 27, 2025 9:19 PM in response to CampfiresMike

Did you put the audio in the main timeline area where you normally put video or below in an audio role? If it is in the main timeline area the gap should automatically close. The audio roles do not auto close gaps, you have to manually move the parts together.

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Answer 2

Jun 28, 2025 1:07 PM in response to CampfiresMike

Problem solved! Thank you!

All I had to do is drag the clips into the proper place, up a bit, and they snapped together. I never would have figured this out on my own.

I really appreciate the help!

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Answer 3

Jun 28, 2025 4:10 AM in response to CampfiresMike

Welcome to the community!

You will soon know all about storylines and connected clips and a lot more about this application that we love.

As you are beginning, it is worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with the app in general, and also learn some terminology. It is quite natural, we have all been there.

One great way to learn and smoothen the learning curve is by following some great tutorials.

These two are widely recommended here, and they're great:

Learn FCP in Under 60 Minutes - YouTube (by Steve Martin of rippletraining)

Final Cut Pro Tutorial | Izzy Video

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Answer 4

terryb

Level 4

3,334 points

Jun 28, 2025 4:17 PM in response to CampfiresMike

Glad you got it figured out. The magnetic timeline behaviors are what trip up people the most. It *looks* like a track-based editor but it's not. The free tutorial suggestions from Luis are the way to avoid lots of cussing and hair-pulling in the future. I would also add The Final Cut Bro, aka Dylan Bates, getting started tutorial: https://youtu.be/L3bZ-ETKZ8U

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Answer 5

BenB

Level 6

13,142 points

Jun 28, 2025 5:19 AM in response to CampfiresMike

Put them in a Compound clip.

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Answer 6

Jun 27, 2025 11:58 PM in response to Larrie Easterly

I appreciate your help. I'm brand new to Mac and Final Cut Pro. I think I my have drug the audio file down too far. I'll look into it. Thank you. I can't imagine how I would have ever figured out I had the file in the wrong place.

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Answer 7

Jun 28, 2025 11:06 AM in response to CampfiresMike

Thank you for the assistance!

It's going to take me a while to get through the suggestions. So, in the meantime, I have a questions about proper community etiquette.

I plan to add video to this project. If I need help with that, should I start a new thread or continue with this one?

I appreciate the help. Thanks!

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Answer 8

terryb

Level 4

3,334 points

Jun 28, 2025 11:28 AM in response to CampfiresMike

For me personally, if it's a new question that's quite different from the current thread, I create a new thread with a new, descriptive title. I think that helps get eyes on the question and also helps people in the future who might have the same question.

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Answer 9

Jun 28, 2025 10:32 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Yes! I know that's what I need to do, but I've been overwhelmed with options. Thank you for the suggestions.

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