In this guide
Unlinking lets you move or edit a clip's audio separately on the timeline; it does not create a separate file or unmix speech and music. Use an audio-only export when you need a saved soundtrack and check the resulting mix.
To separate audio from video in DaVinci Resolve, select the linked clip on the Edit timeline and toggle Clip → Link Clips off. The audio and video can then be selected or moved separately. Keep their positions aligned if you still need the original sync.
Unlinking changes the timeline relationship; it does not itself save an audio file or split a mixed soundtrack into speech, music and effects. For a standalone file, use an audio-only export or convert a suitable original video.
Choose the result you need
| Goal | Starting point | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Edit sound independently of picture | Unlink the clip on the Edit timeline. | Audio and video remain synchronized where needed. |
| Save the timeline mix as audio | Use an audio-only render on the Deliver page. | Render range, format, track levels and muted clips. |
| Save the soundtrack of an original short video | Convert a supported local MP4 or MOV. | The downloaded audio's duration and timing. |
| Keep only a speaker or an effect | Use original tracks or test source isolation. | Bleed, missing words and altered effects. |
Unlink audio and video on the Edit page
- Open your project. On the Edit page, place the video clip with its audio on the timeline. Keep the original media and save a working project.
- Unlink the clip. Select the linked audio/video clip and choose Clip → Link Clips to toggle the link off. Blackmagic's Resolve 17 guide describes this command for unlinking; menu names or shortcuts may vary by version and keyboard customization.
- Edit carefully. Select the audio or video independently and make the intended trim, move or deletion. Unlinked clips no longer move together, so an accidental drag can put dialogue out of sync.
- Check the timeline. Compare a clear sound and picture cue near the start and again near the end. If you need the clips linked again, select both corresponding clips and toggle the same command; then verify the result.
Disabling linked selection for an edit and changing whether clips are linked are related but different controls. Check which clips are actually selected before deleting or moving anything. Muting or deleting the audio clip removes everything mixed into that timeline audio, including wanted speech and effects.
Export an audio-only file
- Review the timeline, track mutes and levels. Decide whether you need the complete timeline mix or only a selected range.
- Open the Deliver page and choose an available audio-only render option. Blackmagic describes audio-only rendering on Deliver; the exact presets and export options depend on your version.
- Set the render range, format and destination, then add the job to the render queue and render it. Open the saved file and listen through the beginning, the relevant edit and the ending.
A timeline render reflects the enabled tracks and edits in the chosen range; it is not automatically a copy of the original clip's encoded audio. Check the output if you need a particular channel layout or an individual track. Blackmagic also describes clip-level audio export on the Fairlight page, which serves a different selection from rendering the whole mix.
Convert an original video outside Resolve
The video-to-audio converter can decode a supported short MP4 or MOV to WAV or MP3 locally. Input is limited to five minutes and 50 MiB, with additional browser and output limits. It processes the selected source file, not your Resolve timeline edits, and does not select among multiple audio streams. Check the actual download and its alignment if you plan to place it back in video.
Does unlinking separate voice from music?
No. If voice and music are already mixed into one soundtrack, they remain together after unlinking or audio-only export. Look for the original microphone or music track first. Otherwise, try a representative excerpt in the voice isolator and compare quiet words and overlap with the original. Separation may leave bleed or change speech; AI downloads require an account and sufficient credits.
If you replace the timeline soundtrack with an edited file, align it to the source and mute any duplicate audio. The audio replacement guide covers sync and final-export checks. For steady noise in Resolve, see the background-noise guide.
Common questions
Does unlinking create a WAV or MP3?
No. It changes how timeline clips are linked. Render or export an audio file separately and verify its format.
Why is my audio out of sync after unlinking?
Unlinked audio and video can move independently. Check their original positions and compare a visible sound cue at the beginning and end.
Can I remove the video and keep the sound?
After unlinking, you can edit the video and audio clips independently. Verify the audio clip is selected correctly before deleting anything, then preview and export the result.