Audio & Sound - Complete Guide

Learn how to add background music, sound effects, and voiceovers to your animations in Scribe Animator. This guide covers the Audio Library, track management, timeline sync, and audio mixing basics.

Visual orientation

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The library manages sources; the bottom audio lane creates tracks, imports clips, records or generates voiceover, and aligns timing.

Screenshot callouts

1. 1
   Search and Generate Voiceover

   Find private-library sources or open supported local AI narration.
2. 2
   Library filters

   All, Recent, and Favorites organize sources without changing timeline clips.
3. 3
   Private-library sign-in state

   Cloud library access can require sign-in; local project audio actions remain separate.
4. 4
   Project Audio actions

   Record VO, AI VO, add role-specific tracks, import media, and add markers.
5. 5
   Project and Scene Audio

   Global tracks and active-scene tracks use different time scopes.

Product UI verification

This screenshot and its visible labels were checked in the real local Desktop editor at 1440 × 1000 on 26 July 2026. The private-library signed-out state does not disable local project/scene recording, import, or supported local generation. It is not a documentation playground.

For a task-based recording, import, generation, and sync workflow, see Voiceover and synchronization. This page remains the detailed audio reference.

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Quick Start: Adding Audio

Step-by-Step Workflow

1. Expand the bottom Audio lane.
2. Decide whether the clip belongs in Project Audio or the active Scene Audio.
3. Choose the import role: Voiceover, Music, SFX, or Generic.
4. Use Project import or Scene import and select a supported local file.
5. Resolve any size, decoding, or scene-overflow warning.
6. Confirm the clip appears in the intended scope.
7. Move or trim it, then preview from before the clip starts.

tip

You can also drag a supported local audio file onto a compatible audio track. Confirm the highlighted target and time before dropping.

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Local AI Voiceover

Open supported local narration from AI VO in Project Audio or Scene Audio, Generate Voiceover in the Audio Library/quick picker, or the Mobile Lite AI Voiceover sheet. Provider and model choices depend on the platform build and available assets.

Voice Quality

Choice	When to use it	Limitation
Performance	Lower-memory devices and quick drafts	Voice quality can be lower
High Quality	Final narration review on a capable device	Larger model download and memory use
Ultra Quality	Only when the UI reports compatible acceleration and enough memory	Highest resource cost; not available for every provider/platform

Supported builds can expose Kokoro Local, Pocket Local, or Supertonic Local, along with provider-specific languages, voices, and quality variants. The selected assets can download on first use. Treat size and availability shown in the dialog as authoritative; model packages can change independently of this guide.

Privacy and Storage

Local generation runs on the device after required model assets are available. Model downloads still require the configured asset host unless already cached or packaged. Review the provider disclosure in the dialog before generation.

Generated WAV files are local project/library sources by default and are not uploaded merely because preview generation completed. An explicit cloud save or host integration can have separate persistence behavior.

Placement Options

• Save to Audio Library only keeps the generated WAV available for later.
• Add to Project Audio inserts at the current project playhead.
• Add to Scene Audio inserts into the selected scene and uses the existing scene overflow handling.
• Download WAV saves the generated voiceover file locally.

Pocket voice cloning, where explicitly available, is session-scoped and requires an ownership/permission confirmation. Do not clone or imitate a real person without authorization, and disclose synthetic audio where the destination requires it.

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Audio Library Panel

Access all your project audio from one central location.

Library Launcher

The launcher summarizes the project audio library and opens its management view. Depending on the current state, it can report the number of sources and their storage use.

1. Open Audio from the left sidebar.
2. Review the library state shown in the panel.
3. Choose Manage when you need to import, preview, rename, or remove sources.

Audio Library Modal

The visible library depends on authentication and on the sources already available to the project. The screenshot above shows the authentic signed-out private-library state; it does not imply that local project actions are disabled.

Area	What it is for
Search	Find a source by its displayed name
Type filter and sort	Narrow the list by role, then order it by name, duration, size, date, or type
Import	Add supported local audio after validation and decoding
Source list	Review the source name, role, duration, size, and clip-usage count when those values are available
Preview	Listen to the selected source and scrub its preview position
Project total	Monitor source storage against the current project warning boundary
Source actions	Rename, delete, or add the selected source to an eligible timeline scope

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Audio Track Types

Organize your audio into different track types for easier mixing.

Track Roles

Role	Icon	Color	Use Case
Music	🎵	Blue	Background music, ambient tracks
SFX	🔊	Orange	Sound effects, whooshes, clicks
Voiceover	🎙️	Yellow	Narration, dialogue, speech
Generic	📦	Purple	Other audio, miscellaneous

Track Layout on Timeline

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A real Project Audio track shares the timeline ruler and playhead with scene objects, so clip timing can be checked against animation.

Screenshot callouts

1. 1
   Project Audio actions

   Create role-specific tracks, record or generate voiceover, import local media, and add markers.
2. 2
   Project Audio scope

   Tracks in this section use project time and can continue across scenes.
3. 3
   Voiceover track header

   The created track exposes its name and the controls supported by this build.
4. 4
   Clip lane

   Drop or import a source here to create a project-scoped clip at an explicit time.

Each role uses the same timeline coordinate system:

• A Music clip commonly spans a long section or the entire project.
• SFX clips usually occupy short, precisely placed intervals.
• Voiceover clips often align with a scene or a narrated sequence.
• Overlapping clips play together unless their clip or track is muted.

Auto-Detection Rules

Scribe Animator automatically assigns track roles based on filename:

Keywords in Filename	Assigned Role
vo, voiceover, voice, narration, speech, dialogue	Voiceover
sfx, sound effect, fx, foley, whoosh, click, beep, hit	SFX
music, song, bgm, soundtrack	Music
(none of the above)	Music (default)

note

You can manually change the track role anytime from the Audio Library or track header.

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Importing Audio

Supported Formats

The file picker accepts audio files, including common MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A/AAC, WebM, and platform-specific audio types. Actual decoding is provided by the current browser or native WebView, so an accepted extension does not guarantee that every codec variant will load.

Format	Typical extension	Guidance
MP3	.mp3	Broad compatibility and smaller music files
WAV	.wav	Predictable uncompressed/PCM workflows but larger files
OGG / WebM	.ogg, .webm	Common for browser recording and Opus audio; verify target-platform decoding
M4A / AAC	.m4a, .aac	Common on Apple/mobile devices; support depends on contained codec
Other audio types	.flac, .aiff, .caf, .opus, .wma, .amr, .mp4	May be offered by a platform picker but still require conversion

Import Methods

Method 1: Audio Library

1. Open the Audio Library.
2. Choose Import Audio.
3. Select one or more supported files.
4. Choose Open, then resolve any validation or decoding warning.

Method 2: Drag & Drop to Library

1. Drag a supported file over the library's import target.
2. Confirm that the target is visibly active before dropping.
3. Drop the file and wait for validation, decoding, waveform generation, and duration analysis.

Method 3: Drag & Drop to Timeline

1. Expand the audio lane and create or identify a compatible target track.
2. Drag the file over that track.
3. Confirm the highlighted target and time.
4. Drop the file to create a clip at that position.

File Size Limits

Limit Type	Size	Description
Soft recommendation (per file)	4 MB	Warning shown; smaller sources improve project responsiveness
Hard limit (per file)	5 MB	Import is blocked
Project Total (soft)	50 MB	Warning when approaching limit

warning

Large audio files can slow down your project. Consider using compressed MP3 format (128-192 kbps) for background music to keep file sizes manageable.

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Audio Clips

Clip Structure

An audio source is the full imported or generated recording. A clip references a portion of that source and places it on the timeline.

Importing, recording, generating, or placing a clip does not by itself create a script segment or bind animation to one. When an object must follow narration timing, use the separate Audio binding workflow.

1. Trim Start removes time from the beginning of the source.
2. Trim End removes time from the end of the source.
3. The remaining portion becomes the audible clip.
4. Offset determines where that clip begins on the project or scene timeline.
5. Fade values shape the clip's volume near its visible start and end.

Clip Properties

Property	Description	Range
Offset	When clip starts on timeline	0 to project duration
Trim Start	How much to cut from beginning	0 to source duration
Trim End	How much to cut from end	0 to source duration
Fade In	Gradual volume increase at start	0 to clip duration
Fade Out	Gradual volume decrease at end	0 to clip duration
Muted	Silence this clip	On/Off

Creating Clips

1. Select the intended source in the Audio Library.
2. Position the playhead at the required insertion time.
3. Choose Add to Timeline and select the eligible Project Audio or Scene Audio destination when prompted.
4. Confirm that the new clip appears on the correct track at the playhead.
5. Preview from before the clip starts.

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Timeline Integration

Playback Sync

Audio clips automatically sync with the global timeline.

The global playhead samples scene content and audio at the same project time. Project Audio can continue across scene boundaries, while Scene Audio is evaluated only inside its assigned scene. Short SFX clips can be placed at exact moments, and a voiceover can be scoped to the scene it narrates.

Track Scope

Scope	Description	Visibility
Global	Project-wide track	All scenes
Scene	Scene-specific track	Only in assigned scene

tip

Use Global tracks for background music that spans the entire project. Use Scene tracks for voiceovers or SFX specific to one scene.

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Audio Controls

Track Header Controls

Track headers identify the track and expose the controls supported by the current build. The authentic editor screenshot above is the source of truth; do not assume a Solo button or S shortcut exists when it is not visible.

Control Functions

Control	Icon	Function
Mute	🔇 / 🔊	Silence track (toggle)
Volume / gain	Slider	Adjust track level and monitor the displayed value
Track name	Text/action	Rename the track so its role is clear
Delete	Trash action	Remove the track and its placed clips after confirmation

Keyboard Shortcuts

The installed Help → Keyboard Shortcuts modal confirms Space for main timeline play/pause. Audio editing is focus-sensitive and can own its own undo/redo history immediately after an audio interaction. Use the visible mute, gain, rename, clip, and delete controls rather than assuming M, S, or duplicate shortcuts exist for audio.

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Waveform Display

Audio clips show waveform visualization on the timeline.

Waveform Anatomy

The waveform is a timing aid: taller peaks represent larger sample amplitudes, while quieter regions appear shorter. The clip label identifies its source and role, and the clip's horizontal extent represents its trimmed duration. Use playback and meters—not waveform height alone—to judge perceived loudness.

Waveform Colors

Color	Meaning
Blue	Normal audio
Yellow	Selected clip
Red	Clipping warning (too loud)
Gray	Muted clip

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Audio Processing

Import Pipeline

1. The host receives the selected local file.
2. Scribe validates the size and media type.
3. The current browser or native WebView decodes the audio.
4. The audio system calculates duration and other available metrics.
5. It generates waveform peaks for timeline display.
6. The validated source is added to the project audio store.
7. A clip is created only when you add or drop that source onto an eligible track.

Audio Metrics

Metric	Description	Display
Duration	Audio length	MM:SS format
File Size	Storage size	KB / MB
Sample Rate	Audio quality	44.1 kHz typical
Channels	Mono/Stereo	1 or 2

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Budget & Performance

Memory Budget

Scribe enforces an in-memory audio safety budget in addition to per-file and project-source limits. Decoded audio can consume substantially more memory than the compressed source file, so the current warning or rejection message is authoritative for the device and project state.

Budget Warnings

Boundary	Current behavior
4 MB source	Per-file soft recommendation
5 MB source	Per-file import is blocked
50 MB project sources	Soft warning that the project can slow down
256 MB approximate in-memory audio	Runtime safety budget; generated or imported audio can be rejected before exceeding it

warning

Running low on audio budget can cause playback issues. Delete unused audio files to free up memory.

Performance Tips

1. Use compressed formats — MP3 at 128-192 kbps for music
2. Trim unused portions — Remove silence and unused sections
3. Delete unused sources — Clean up files not used in any clip
4. Limit concurrent clips — Avoid too many overlapping audio clips

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Filtering & Sorting

Filter Options

Filter	Description
All Types	Show all audio files
🎵 Music	Only music tracks
🔊 SFX	Only sound effects
🎙️ Voiceover	Only voiceover/narration
📦 Other	Generic/unclassified

Sort Options

Sort By	Description
Name	Alphabetical order
Duration	Shortest to longest
Size	Smallest to largest
Date Added	Newest first (default)
Type	Grouped by role

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Managing Audio Files

Rename Audio

1. Select the source in the library.
2. Choose Rename.
3. Enter a descriptive name.
4. Press Enter or use the visible confirmation action.

Delete Audio

1. Select one or more sources.
2. Check each source's used in X clips count.
3. Choose Delete Selected.
4. Review the confirmation carefully.
5. Choose Cancel to keep the sources, or Delete to remove them and any dependent clips.

warning

Deleting audio files that are used in clips will also remove those clips from the timeline. Check the "used in X clips" count before deleting.

Preview Audio

1. Select a source in the library.
2. Choose Play in the preview area.
3. Drag the preview playhead to inspect another part of the source.
4. Confirm the current-time and total-duration readout.
5. Stop the library preview before judging timeline sync; the project transport is the authoritative timing check.

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Common Workflows

Workflow 1: Add Background Music

1. Open Audio in the sidebar.
2. Open the library management view.
3. Import the music file and resolve any warning.
4. Position the project playhead at the required start.
5. Add the source to a Project Audio Music track.
6. Trim or fade it, then preview across at least one scene boundary.

Workflow 2: Add Sound Effect at Specific Time

1. Position the playhead at the desired cue.
2. Drag the SFX source onto the correct SFX track.
3. Confirm the highlighted target and time before dropping.
4. Preview from just before the cue and adjust the offset if needed.

Workflow 3: Record Voiceover

1. Choose Record VO in the intended Project Audio or Scene Audio scope.
2. Grant microphone access only when you are ready to record.
3. Speak the narration, then choose Stop.
4. Review the recorded source and its placement.
5. Trim silence, align the clip to the scene, and preview synchronization.

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Troubleshooting

Audio Not Playing

Issue	Cause	Solution
No sound	Browser muted	Check browser/system volume
No sound	Track muted	Click unmute (🔇) on track header
No sound	Clip muted	Check clip mute status
Choppy audio	Performance issue	Close other applications

Import Errors

Error	Cause	Solution
"File too large"	Exceeds the current 5 MB per-file limit	Compress or trim the audio file
"Invalid format"	Unsupported codec	Convert to MP3 or WAV
"Decode failed"	Corrupted file	Try re-exporting from source

Sync Issues

Issue	Cause	Solution
Audio drifts	Variable frame rate	Export at constant frame rate
Audio ahead/behind	Offset incorrect	Adjust clip offset property
Gaps in audio	Trim settings wrong	Check trim start/end values

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Best Practices

Audio Quality

1. Use appropriate bitrate — 128-192 kbps for background music
2. Match sample rates — 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz consistently
3. Normalize levels — Keep peak levels around -6 dB
4. Add headroom — Don't let audio clip (hit 0 dB)

Organization

1. Name files clearly — Use descriptive names like intro-whoosh.wav
2. Use track roles — Assign Music/SFX/VO for easy filtering
3. Clean unused files — Regularly delete unused audio sources
4. Keep backups — Export project to preserve audio references

Performance

1. Limit track count — 3-5 audio tracks is typical
2. Avoid long files — Split long audio into segments
3. Use fades — Smooth transitions reduce artifacts
4. Preview before export — Check sync before final render

tip

Pro tip: Add a short fade-in (0.1-0.3s) to all clips to avoid click/pop sounds at the start of playback.

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Summary

Feature	Location	Purpose
Audio Library	Left Sidebar → 🎵 Audio	Import and manage audio files
Track Types	Timeline	Music, SFX, Voiceover, Generic
Clip Editing	Timeline	Trim, fade, position audio
Preview Player	Audio Library Modal	Listen before adding
Budget Monitor	Audio Library Modal	Track memory usage

The Audio system in Scribe Animator provides everything you need to add professional sound to your whiteboard animations — from background music to precise sound effects and voiceovers.

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Related documentation:

• Audio binding and synchronization
• Animate with the timeline
• Choose and verify an export
• Troubleshoot Scribe Animator