> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tessact.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio editing overview

> Control source timing, gain, fades, waveforms, mute state, and the final mix.

Audio can come from audio-only layers or a video's embedded audio track. Every audible layer contributes to a shared composition mix.

## Signal path

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  S["Decoded source sample"] --> R["Playback-rate mapping"] --> G["dB gain"] --> F["Fade multiplier"] --> M{"Muted?"} --> X["Layer mix"] --> O["Preview / H.264 output"]
```

## Control surfaces

| Surface         | Controls                                      |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Layer inspector | Base volume and playback rate                 |
| Timeline clip   | Waveform, draggable volume line, fade handles |
| Timeline row    | Mute state                                    |
| Playback strip  | Preview mute                                  |

Each surface has a different scope. Preview mute silences monitoring; a row mute changes the composition contribution; volume changes the layer gain; fades vary gain over the clip.

## Editorial passes

1. **Assembly** — synchronize picture, narration, music, and effects.
2. **Cleanup** — trim silence and add short boundary fades.
3. **Balance** — establish speech first, then music and ambience.
4. **Automation check** — review every long fade and rate-adjusted source.
5. **Output check** — listen from first to last frame with all intended rows active.

<Note>
  The editor stores gain as a decibel adjustment. At the minimum value, the conversion returns zero gain; otherwise linear gain is `10^(dB/20)`.
</Note>

See [Volume](/editor/audio/volume), [Fades](/editor/audio/fades), and [Waveforms](/editor/audio/waveforms).