Can't modify audio part of a video clip

michaelaal wrote on 9/18/2025, 8:00 PM

@johnny-s, yes that option is checked on. Either way it does the same. Maybe I should have waited a month or two to upgrade to 23. So this problem does not happen to anyone else? Right clicking audio clip and making any change is possible (in VP Pro 22, SF 18)?

johnny-s wrote on 9/18/2025, 8:40 PM

@michaelaal

Hi Michaelaal. I deleted my post because on 2nd. thoughts I thought it simply wasn't relevant. There are other users here more knowledgeable re: Audio.

FWIW I did successfully manage to modify an in place audio channel from mono to stereo in both vp22 and vp23 using that method.

"I open a copy in SF18 and make changes (make mono stereo or normalize, etc) save and exit"

It took me ages to find out how to do it in SF 18 Pro.

michaelaal wrote on 9/18/2025, 8:51 PM

Then it has to be a preference in options that I may need to figure out what to do, even though most of settings are default. Well thanks anyway.

johnny-s wrote on 9/19/2025, 4:59 AM

@michaelaal

According to user @Dexcon in another post you do need to have unchecked .. "Close media files when not the active application" if you are loading an external audio editor.

I assume for simplicity your files are on local disks, not say onedrive or similar

Another quote from Dexcon ...

In Vegas Pro's Options menu, select Preferences and then the General Preferences tab (which should open anyway by default). Go to the 4th checkbox down and check that item, 'Close media files when not the active application' and Apply and then OK. This should allow you to R click the audio event on Vegas Pro's timeline and use the Sound Forge Pro link to open the audio track in Sound Forge Pro. You should also then be able to save your work in Sound Forge Pro back to Vegas Pro. I have, however, sometimes experienced times when it refuses to save back to Vegas Pro and its then a matter of highlighting another audio event elsewhere Vegas Pro's timeline so that audio event being worked on on Sound Forge Pro is not active event on Vegas Pro's timeline.

In general, if using another audio editor independently of Vegas Pro (i.e. not accessed via R clicking the audio event on Vegas Pro's timeline), make sure that the audio event is not highlighted on Vegas pro's timeline and that the 'Close media files when ... " checkbox is checked. If the audio event being worked on in an audio editor is highlighted on Vegas Pro's timeline, that audio editor is usually not going to be able to save it by overwriting because Vegas Pro already has 'ownership' of that audio event.

If the above doesn't fix the issue, please get back to the forum.

johnny-s wrote on 9/19/2025, 6:24 AM

@michaelaal

One of the Dexcon thread links.

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/project-buffering--149636/#ca941171

Google search …

1. Check External Editor Settings

Verify the Link:Go to Options > Preferences > Audio Devicetab.

Browse for Editor:

Ensure your chosen external editor is correctly linked in Options > Preferences > Audio device and set to run as an administrator, disable "Close Media Files When Not Active" in Options > Preferences > General, and try a program reset by holding Ctrl + Shift when launching Vegas to clear corrupted settings.

Click the "Browse" button next to "Preferred audio editor" and navigate to your external audio editor's executable file (e.g., Audacity.exe).

Apply and OK:
Select the file, click "Open," then "Apply" and "OK" to save the settings.

2. Run with Administrator Privileges

Right-Click and Properties:
Right-click the shortcut for Vegas Pro and your external audio editor (like Spectral Layers Pro or Audacity).

Compatibility Tab:
Select "Properties," then go to the "Compatibility" tab.

Enable Administrator Mode:
Check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator," click "Apply," and then "OK".

3. Perform a Vegas Pro Reset

Hold Ctrl + Shift:
Close Vegas Pro completely.

Launch with Reset:
Press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys on your keyboard while launching Vegas Pro.

Confirm Reset:
Vegas Pro will prompt you to reset its settings to default, which can clear corrupted temporary files and settings causing the issue.

4. Adjust Media File Settings

Disable "Close Media Files":
Go to Options > Preferences > General.

Turn Off Setting:
Make sure the option "Close Media Files when not the active application" is turned OFF. This prevents Vegas from closing files that the external editor might need to access.

EricLNZ wrote on 9/19/2025, 6:43 AM

@johnny-s With 'Close media files when not the active application' Dexcon's comments actually said it should be ticked. That is also my understanding. If the file is open in VP then probably the external audio editor cannot overwrite the file with the amendments. Hence the option needs to be ticked.

johnny-s wrote on 9/19/2025, 6:48 AM

@EricLNZ

I thought so also.

I referenced Dexcon in this thread given he may be able to help OP as he came up in a few searches.

The Google search items do also highlight some items that need be checked by OP. I.e. Editor audio device selected etc.

johnny-s wrote on 9/19/2025, 7:08 AM

In my VP23 settings.

In Options/Preferences/Audio device/ = Microsoft sound mapper

In Options/Preferences/Audio/ ..

"Preferred audio editor:" = C:\Program Files\SOUND FORGE\SOUND FORGE Pro 18\Forge18.exe

michaelaal wrote on 9/19/2025, 8:46 AM

Thanks guys. But I have done all those tricks. I can open a copy of audio clip in SF 18 by R clicking the event. It just does not update in VP 22 timeline regardless the clip has focus or not.
SF pro18 was bundled with VP 22 so that is my preferred editor. Also Microsoft sound mapper.
When I apply "run as an admin" then I cannot drag & drop from Windows explorer directly in timeline but can do from within Vegas Pro. I probably need to completely uninstall then reinstall Vegas to see if that helps, if not I guess report to VP "support".