What is an AAF, and why does it matter?
An AAF (Advanced Authoring Format) is a single file that holds your audio and its information together.
It keeps clip names, automation, and track layout the same when moving from Resolve to Pro Tools.
That means less cleanup later and faster dialogue prep once it's on our mix stage.
How Resolve handles AAF differently than Premiere
Resolve doesn't export AAFs through the standard File menu. Instead, it uses a dedicated Pro Tools preset in the Deliver tab that formats the AAF specifically for Pro Tools compatibility.
This is the single most important thing to know: do not use File → Export AAF/XML. That command produces a generic AAF that won't open correctly in Pro Tools. You must use the Pro Tools preset on the Deliver page.
Export steps
- Duplicate your timeline so you keep the original safe.
- Delete any clips you don't want in the mix — muted and disabled clips still export, so remove them entirely.
- Remove any audio clips with speed changes applied — these cause blank exports.
- Go to the Deliver tab (rocket icon at the bottom of the Resolve window).
- Select the Pro Tools preset from the horizontal preset bar at the top.
- Configure audio settings using the table below.
- Click Add To Render Queue, then Render All.
- Place the AAF in the same folder as your reference video before you upload.
Critical: Do not use File → Export AAF/XML. Only the Pro Tools preset on the Deliver tab produces a correctly formatted AAF for Pro Tools. The standard export command creates a different format that won't work.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | Pro Tools | Formats the AAF specifically for Pro Tools |
| Export Video | Unchecked | Prevents hangs — send video separately |
| Audio Codec | Embedded in AAF | Single file, easier to deliver |
| Sample Rate | 48 kHz (or match project) | 48/24 is the broadcast standard — match your project if the mixer requests otherwise |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit (or match project) | Keeps audio quality and headroom |
| Format | Wave (Broadcast Wave) | Leave on the preset default — don't switch to MXF OP-Atom |
| Render one track per channel | ✔ | Prevents routing errors (same as Breakout to Mono) |
| Handle Length | 5–10 seconds recommended | Gives the mixer room for fades, noise reduction, and breathing room |
Common export problems — and how to fix them
The fastest way to get a clean AAF from Resolve
Use the Pro Tools preset on the Deliver tab and keep Render one track per channel checked.
That combination fixes most of the relink and routing problems we see when opening Resolve sessions in Pro Tools.
We load dozens of AAFs every month, and the ones made this way always open cleanly.
Special characters in clip names
Characters like / > < ! & @ in clip or sequence names can corrupt the AAF.
Rename any clips with special characters before exporting. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
Muted and disabled clips still export
Unlike Premiere, Resolve exports muted clips as if they were active. Disabled clips (the power icon) can also cause problems — they may export unexpectedly or break relinking. If you don't want something in the mix, delete the clip from the timeline entirely.
Speed-changed audio
Audio clips with speed modifications applied in Resolve will export as blank or silent. Remove speed changes or render the affected clips in place before exporting.
Audio effects and compound clips
Most audio effects don't transfer in the AAF. Basic clip-level adjustments like volume and pan may carry over, but third-party plugins, Fairlight FX, dynamics, reverb, and compound clips are all ignored during export.
If you need the mixer to start with processed audio, render the clips in place (bounce) before exporting so the processed audio is baked into the files.
Subframe audio edits
Audio edits that don't align to frame boundaries can cause "COM Operation Failed" errors. Before exporting, go to Preferences → User → Editing → General Settings and enable "Align audio edits to frame boundaries."
Video in the AAF
Pro Tools doesn't need picture inside the AAF. Including it makes the file massive and can cause hangs.
Uncheck "Export Video" and render a separate DNxHD/HR or ProRes reference video with guide audio instead.
Should you embed or separate the audio?
Resolve gives you two choices in the Audio Codec dropdown:
- Embedded in AAF — audio files are packed into a single AAF. Easier to deliver, fewer files to manage.
- Linear PCM — creates a referenced AAF plus a folder of separate audio files. Use this when you need field-recorder matching or detailed metadata.
In about 90% of mixes, embedded AAFs are faster and safer. That's what we recommend unless you have a specific reason to separate.
Why "Render one track per channel" matters
This is Resolve's equivalent of Premiere's Breakout to Mono. When checked, polyphonic audio files get split into individual mono tracks — a stereo music bed becomes two mono files, a 5.1 field recording becomes six, and so on. That's almost always what Pro Tools mixers want.
If you skip this, your dialogue stems might import as multichannel files that Pro Tools can't route correctly. Keep it checked.
Part of Our Remote Collaboration Services
This guide is part of our remote session engineering workflow. Whether you're preparing files for a mixing session, sound design work, or ADR recording, proper AAF export ensures we can start immediately without relinking or troubleshooting.
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