Multicam Editing

Multicam editing lets you cut between several cameras (or sources) that recorded the same event. You sync the angles once, then watch them together and switch between them in real time, like a vision mixer - a fast, intuitive way to cut concerts, interviews, panels, and live events.

Preparing multicam material

Get your angles ready before you sync:

• Import all the camera and audio sources (see Importing media).
• Make sure each source has a usable sync reference - matching timecode if the cameras were jam-synced, a common event such as a clapperboard, or simply clean audio on every camera (for audio-waveform sync).
• Keep the angles together in a bin so they're easy to group.

Note: All sources must have matching or related frame rates - Lightworks won't create a multicam bin from incompatible rates.

Creating a multicam group

Group the angles into a multicam bin so Lightworks treats them as one multi-angle source. Select the angles and choose Make new multicam bin; the result appears in the Content Manager with a sync icon (see Bins, collections, tags, and searching).

Choosing a sync method

When you create the bin, choose how the angles align with the Synchronise using option:

For audio-waveform sync you also set the analysis region (start or end of the clips) and analysis length - point it at a section where the sound is distinct. If some sources don't match closely, Lightworks warns you to check the sync.

(Syncing pairs of clips outside multicam is covered in Syncing picture and sound.)

Switching angles

With the group open you can see the angles playing together and cut between them:

• Play the synced angles and select an angle to cut to it at the playhead.
• Keep switching as it plays to build the cut live, vision-mixer style.
• Each switch creates an edit in the sequence, so the result is an ordinary editable cut afterwards.

Use the Concurrent playback limit to control how many angles play at once while you choose - lower it if performance is tight.

You can also cut a multicam bin automatically: Create Sequence From Synced Clips builds a sequence from the synced angles, with Use video from and Use audio from choices and a cut interval for regularly spaced switch points to refine later.

Editing a multicam sequence

A multicam cut is a normal sequence once you've laid it down. You can:

• Trim the switch points like any other cut (see Trimming).
• Replace an angle on a shot without disturbing the timing.
• Refine the cut frame by frame after the live pass.

Tip: Make a fast first pass by switching live, then go back and trim the cut points to land exactly on the action. Live for energy, trim for polish.

Audio choices in multicam edits

Decide where your sound comes from:

• Cutting angles usually switches picture; you'll often want a single, consistent audio source (such as a board feed or a dedicated recorder) running underneath rather than switching with the picture.
• Keep that audio on its own track and lock it so angle switches don't disturb it.
• If you do want camera audio to follow the angle, include it in the switch.

Fixing multicam sync issues

• An angle is offset - its sync reference was misread. Re-check the timecode or re-mark the sync point for that angle.
• Drift across a long take - confirm every source's frame rate is correct; mismatched rates cause progressive drift.
• No common reference - if there's neither matching timecode nor a clear sync event, align angles manually on any unmistakable shared moment.