Exporting an AAF file from DaVinci Resolve for Importing into Pro Tools
When sending unmixed audio files to an audio post-production facility for final mixing, Pro Tools remains the industry-standard digital audio workstation (DAW). In this guide, we will walk you through the correct process for exporting audio files from DaVinci Resolve to ensure a smooth handoff.
What is an AAF File?
An AAF file (Advanced Authoring Format) is a universal exchange file format used across professional media platforms. It allows you to transfer timeline information—including clip placement, volume automation, track names, and edits—from video editing software like DaVinci Resolve into a DAW like Pro Tools, while preserving underlying source metadata.
Why Use the DaVinci Resolve Pro Tools Export Preset?
Blackmagic Design provides a dedicated Pro Tools preset within DaVinci Resolve's Deliver page. Using this preset is critical because it forces Resolve to render individual audio media files and generate an AAF structure tailored specifically for Pro Tools file handling and sample accuracy.
Skipping this dedicated preset and relying on generic export commands frequently causes glitched audio, missing media relinking errors, or corrupted timelines when imported into Pro Tools.
Avoid Using the File Menu "Export Timeline" Option
When preparing an audio exchange for Pro Tools, do not use the standard File > Export > Timeline (AAF/XML) command. That function exports a generic timeline exchange file intended for non-linear video editors, lacking the sample-accurate clip rendering, track mapping, and media organization required by Pro Tools. Always perform your export from the Deliver page using the dedicated preset.
Avoid Special or Accented Characters
Before exporting, inspect your track names, clip names, and timeline titles. Avoid special or accented characters such as /, >, <, !, ®, ü, &, Ø, Æ, Å, or @. Non-ASCII characters frequently break file path references on both macOS and Windows systems, resulting in relinking failures or a corrupted AAF import. Stick to clean, simple naming conventions using alphanumeric characters and underscores (e.g., clip_01_v01).
Ensure Your Software is Up to Date
To prevent unexpected rendering bugs or timeline translation errors, keep your installations of DaVinci Resolve and Pro Tools updated to stable, recent versions.
You can download the latest updates here:
Note: Always verify operating system compatibility before updating your primary workstation software.
Step-by-Step: Exporting an AAF from DaVinci Resolve
1. Organize and Clean Up Your Timeline
Organize your audio tracks cleanly before exporting. Group dialogue, sound effects, Foley, and music onto separate, continuous tracks. Clearing out unused clips or muted draft tracks saves significant time during the mix setup.
Tip: Duplicate your main timeline before preparing the audio export. This preserves your original edit cuts while allowing you to clean up tracks for the final AAF deliverable.
2. Select the Pro Tools Preset
1. Open the Deliver page by clicking the Rocket icon at the bottom of the DaVinci Resolve interface.
2. In the Render Settings panel located at the top-left of the screen, scroll through the preset options and select the Pro Tools preset.
3. Select the target timeline you wish to export from the timeline panel.
3. Disable Video Export
On the Video tab, uncheck "Export Video". You should deliver video as a separate, standalone reference file (such as a low-bitrate H.264 or DNxHR file with burned-in timecode) rather than rendering video through the AAF pipeline.
4. Configure Audio Settings and Frame Handles
On the Audio tab, configure the following parameters:
- Export Audio: Check this box.
- Codec: Select Linear PCM. Using Linear PCM instructs Resolve to export a referenced AAF accompanied by a dedicated media folder containing rendered individual audio files. This approach prevents hitting the 2GB/4GB file size limit inherent to embedded single-file AAFs.
- Frame Handles: Add handles (typically 24 to 48 frames, or 1 to 2 seconds). Handles export extra audio beyond your edit cuts, giving your re-recording mixer the room needed to construct smooth crossfades and edit adjustments.
5. Set Bit Depth and Sample Rate
Set the bit depth to 24-bit and ensure the sample rate matches your session format—typically 48kHz for film, television, and broadcast delivery (or 96kHz where requested). Set Channels to Same as Source to maintain original track routing.
6. Render and Package the Export
1. Click Add to Render Queue.
2. Select the job in the Render Queue panel on the right and click Start Render.
3. Once rendering finishes, Resolve will output a .aaf file alongside an audio folder containing your newly rendered PCM files.
4. Compress the entire output folder into a single ZIP file before uploading to cloud transfer services like Dropbox or Google Drive. This prevents individual audio files from unlinking or corrupting during transfer.
7. Verify the Export
Before sending files off to your mixing team, verify your delivery package. Import the generated AAF back into a blank timeline in your secondary audio workstation or a test Pro Tools session to verify that media links correctly, track counts match, and no file corruption occurred during render.
Opening the AAF Package in Pro Tools
- Transfer: Download and extract the ZIP package onto the Pro Tools audio system storage drive.
- Import Session Data: In Pro Tools, open your session and choose File > Import > Session Data…, then select the
.aaffile. - Match Tracks & Media Options: In the Import Session Data dialog, select the audio tracks you wish to bring into the timeline. Choose "Copy from Source Media" or "Link to Source Media" based on your facility workflow preferences.
- Confirm Import: Click OK. Pro Tools will populate the timeline with audio clips, original edits, track names, and handle allocations intact.
Importing an AAF file into Pro Tools from DaVinci Resolve.
Note: Complex plugin processing, custom video transitions, and proprietary NLE effects do not translate through AAF files. Re-recording mixers require raw, unparsed audio files to build clean post-production mixes.
Conclusion
AAF export remains the industry standard for bridging the gap between offline video editing in DaVinci Resolve and final audio mixing in Pro Tools. By utilizing Resolve's dedicated Pro Tools preset, rendering referenced linear PCM files, adding frame handles, and keeping track naming clean, you ensure a reliable, error-free transfer for your post-production team.
