Audio Hardware preferences

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

Learn more about the Audio Hardware preferences for Premiere Pro.

In the Audio Hardware panel of the Preferences dialog box (Edit > Preferences > Audio Hardware), you can select your computer’s audio device and configure settings. On Windows, you can specify ASIO and MME options, while macOS supports CoreAudio settings for playback and recording. When an audio device is connected, its hardware settings, such as default input/output, clock, latency, and sample rate, are automatically loaded.

Configure audio inputs and outputs

When you configure inputs and outputs for recording and playback, Adobe Premiere Pro can use these kinds of sound card drivers:

  • In Windows, ASIO drivers support professional cards, and MME drivers typically support standard cards.
  • In macOS, CoreAudio drivers support both professional and standard cards.

ASIO and CoreAudio drivers are preferable because they provide better performance and lower latency. You can also monitor audio as you record it and instantly hear volume, pan, and effects changes during playback.

The Preferences dialog displays the Audio Hardware panel with options to set up the audio devices.
Customize your sound experience by adjusting input and output device settings in Audio Hardware preferences.

UI option

Function

Device Class

Select the driver for the sound card.

Default Input

Set the default audio input device for recording audio within Premiere Pro. It determines which microphone or audio source Premiere Pro will use when you record narration, voiceovers, or other audio directly into the application.

Default Output

Set the default audio output device for monitoring audio within Premiere Pro. It controls where the program sends audio for playback, so you can hear what you’re editing through your chosen speakers or headphones.

Clock

Set the clock device you want other digital audio hardware to synchronize (ensuring accurate alignment of samples).

Latency (Windows only)

Set the lowest setting possible without audio dropouts. The ideal setting depends on your system’s speed.

Sample Rate

Understand Sample Rate and select one for the audio hardware.

Settings

Open the external hardware dialog to optimize the performance of ASIO and CoreAudio cards.

Map Output for

Set target speaker in your computer sound system for each supported audio channel.

Clock Source (macOS only)

Check the clock source that Premiere Pro uses to synchronize the timing of playback and recording.

I/O Buffer Size (macOS only)

Use smaller values for lower latency and higher values when experiencing dropouts during playback or recording. The default is 512.

Attempt to force hardware to document sample rate (macOS only)

Attempt to set the sample rate of the sound card to match the sample rate of the document. If the selected device does not support this, the closest sample rate available will be used.