AAF Export Guide Preparing Your Film for Post Sound
If your project is approaching picture lock, exporting a clean AAF is one of the most important steps in getting your film ready for post sound.
This guide walks through the DaVinci Resolve turnover settings that help keep your audio clean, organized, and ready for professional post sound work.
For most DaVinci Resolve turnovers, export through the Deliver page using the Pro Tools preset. This is the preferred path for creating a Pro Tools-friendly AAF that is better prepared for post sound workflows.
Before You Export Check This First
Before creating your AAF, make sure the timeline you are sending is at or very close to picture lock.
- Picture is locked or very close to locked.
- All media is online with no missing clips.
- Organize your timeline in this order whenever possible: dialogue first, sound effects second, music third.
- Remove unused or muted tracks where possible.
- Clean up disabled clips before export.
- Review any temp processing before export.
- Avoid unusual symbols or special characters in clip and timeline names.
Organizing the timeline this way keeps the turnover cleaner and more efficient on the sound side. When dialogue, effects, and music are scattered randomly across tracks, it creates unnecessary cleanup before the real sound work can begin.
Please organize your timeline with dialogue first, sound effects second, and music third whenever possible. For Resolve projects, it is also helpful to duplicate the final project or timeline before preparing the sound turnover. That keeps the master edit untouched while the audio export version can be cleaned up specifically for post sound.
How to Export the AAF in DaVinci Resolve
Open Your Final Timeline
Open the locked timeline you want to send for post sound. Make sure you are working from the correct final timeline before exporting.
Go to the Deliver Page
In DaVinci Resolve, go to the Deliver page. From the render preset options, choose the Pro Tools preset. This is the preferred export path for creating a Pro Tools-friendly AAF from Resolve.
Avoid using File → Export → AAF/XML for this type of post sound turnover.
Set the Export Location
Choose a clear export location for the AAF and related media. Use a file name that is easy for both the editor and sound team to understand.
Example: FilmTitle_PictureLock_SoundAAF_Date
Use the Following Settings
- Preset: Pro Tools.
- Audio: Embedded in the AAF when a single self-contained turnover is preferred.
- Render one track per channel: On.
- Handles: Include as requested by the sound team, often several seconds for flexibility.
- Export video: Off unless specifically requested.
- Reference video: Export separately.
- Audio effects: Do not rely on Resolve effects transferring cleanly into the AAF.
Embedded AAF is a common preferred workflow for many projects. If the project is unusually large or Resolve has export issues, a referenced AAF with a separate audio media folder may be requested instead.
Why These Settings Matter
- The Pro Tools preset creates a more reliable sound turnover than the general AAF/XML export option.
- Embedded AAF keeps the turnover self-contained and easier to send in many workflows.
- One track per channel helps audio arrive properly for editing and mixing.
- Handles give extra edit room before and after cuts.
- A separate reference video keeps sync checking simple.
- Clean timelines reduce technical cleanup before the creative sound work begins.
Resolve-Specific Notes
DaVinci Resolve can be a little more sensitive with AAF exports than some other editing programs.
Before exporting, check for anything that may cause problems, including:
- Disabled clips.
- Muted clips that are not meant to be included.
- Audio clips with speed changes.
- Audio transitions or fades that may cause export issues.
- Audio edits that are not aligned cleanly to frame boundaries.
- Fairlight effects, EQ, compression, pitch changes, or other processing that may not transfer into Pro Tools.
If an effect is important to the creative intent, export a separate reference mix or processed audio example. That gives the sound team a clear idea of what you had in mind, even if the effect itself does not transfer properly through the AAF.
Reference Video to Include
Along with the AAF, send a separate reference movie for sync and review.
- Preferred format: Apple ProRes 422 Proxy.
- Frame rate should match the locked timeline.
- Burn-in timecode is essential.
- Include a guide audio mix when possible.
A separate reference video keeps review simple and helps confirm that picture and sound remain aligned throughout the process.
Final Delivery Checklist
- AAF exports successfully with no errors.
- No offline or missing media.
- Timeline is organized clearly.
- Dialogue, sound effects, and music are separated where possible.
- All production sound is organized and properly synced to picture.
- Handles are included as requested.
- Reference video matches picture lock.
- Guide audio is included with the reference video.
- Export folder and file names are clearly labeled.
Common Issues That Slow Things Down in Post
- Missing or offline media.
- No handles included.
- Dialogue, sound effects, and music mixed randomly across the timeline.
- Disabled or muted clips exporting unexpectedly.
- Audio effects that do not transfer into the AAF.
- Speed-changed audio clips causing export problems.
- Sending materials before the cut is truly ready.
The stronger the prep is, the more time and energy can go into dialogue clarity, sound design, and the final mix instead of technical cleanup.
Start a Project
If your film is moving toward picture lock and you want professional help with dialogue cleanup, sound design, and final mixing, you can start the conversation here.
