Export just audio but with timecode?

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Level 4

3,850 points

Export just audio but with timecode?

Is there a way to export just audio but have it also carry timecode? We have a need for just the audio files but they need to maintain their timecode reference. I've tried making different destinations in Compressor but I can't seem to get a timecode track unless there's a video track also exported.

Currently I have an H.264 QT movie set to a tiny frame size of 128x72 with a 20kbps data rate along with AAC audio at medium quality that works but I'd prefer a container with only audio and timecode. Possible?

Posted on Oct 7, 2026 6:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

fox_m

Level 6

13,786 points

Oct 7, 2026 9:42 PM in response to terryb

You might need to attach the audio to a "Slug" (which is just "empty" video — and **not** a Gap!)

You can download a free slug here:

https://fcpxtemplates.com/video-slug/

An Adjustment Clip or Adjustment Layer may serve just as well — you could give that a try.

According to AI, audio only cannot display timecode without a "visual canvas".

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Answer 2

terryb Author

Level 4

3,850 points

Oct 8, 2026 12:54 PM in response to fox_m

Thanks Meg and Fox. Although it is possible to run ffmpeg to strip the video with something like,

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -map 0 -map -0:v:0 -c copy output.mp4

I don't want to require the additional process.

Unfortunately WAV and AIFF exports don't include the timecode. Running ffprobe on wav and aiff exports shows just the audio stream, no timecode stream.

Well, I guess my H.264 export with a super tiny frame size of 128x72 at a super low data rate along with AAC audio will have to do since it does include timecode and isn't too much larger than an audio-only export.

I will submit a request with Apple Feedback.

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Answer 3

Meg The Dog

Level 6

14,086 points

Oct 8, 2026 11:00 AM in response to terryb

Just some things to consider:

I think you will need to export it from FCP with some kind of video track to get the timecode into the file. I believe there is a way in FFMpeg to strip the video from that file using Command line instructions, but I don't know what they are.

In the old, old days I seem to remember this was possible in QuickTime Pro but is not now.

Also, I'm not sure AAC is the right choice, it may have to be WAV or BWAV.

MtD

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Answer 4

fox_m

Level 6

13,786 points

Oct 8, 2026 12:33 PM in response to terryb

Timecode data for audio files is exported with Audio only for WAV and AIFF file formats, as far as I know.

I tried an experiment (I still have access to QT player 7) with a clip in a project timeline for which I selected as a Range and exported as a WAV file and an AIFF file. Both file type exports started the "timecode" at 0 and reported the same length in HMS format (H MM SS.000), so I assume timecode exported is reset to the 0 mark — if you can deal with that.

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Answer 5

terryb Author

Level 4

3,850 points

Oct 8, 2026 10:21 AM in response to fox_m

Thank you for the reply Fox. The audio is already associated with video (a multicam), and I don't need visual timecode, just the timecode data. In QuickTime, it's stored in a timecode track.

Basically, I want to select a clip in a timeline and export just its audio *and* timecode data. I haven't found a way to do this. It seems there also needs to be some sort of video exported to get the timecode data included.

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