Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import at DVinfo.net

Len Rosenberg · August 5th, 2026, 09:32 AM

Camera is a Sony Z200. When I import a video clip (via drag and drop from hard drive to the timeline in Adobe Premiere Pro 2026, I get three video tracks and eight audio tracks. Only one video track and two audio tracks have content, the others are empty. The camera is set to record audio only on inputs 1 and 2. The delete all empty tracks command works on video tracks but not on audio tracks. My questions are 1) how to stop Premiere from creating empty tracks on import, and 2) why does the delete all empty audio tracks not work? I've tried researching this on google but have not found the answers. Many thanks for any help.
Len

Andrew Smith · August 5th, 2026, 09:46 PM

Hi Len, you've come to the right place.

Premiere is doing the honourable thing by bringing in all eight audio channels of the XDCAM etc video format regardless of whether you were actually using each one of them or not. Before moving a clip from the assets bin onto a timeline, right click on it and select Modify--> Audio channels per the screenshots attached.

For my typical useage, I reduce the channel count down to just three and allocare to ch 1 (a lapel mic / PA feed etc) and Ch 3 and Ch 4 for the internal mics on my Sony PMW-300.

This gives me a much more manageable edit timeline when you place the clip there.

Let us know how this works for you.

Andrew

Len Rosenberg · August 5th, 2026, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the reply Andrew. I had tried that and selected 2 audio tracks. It was an improvement, in that I ended up with three video and four audio tracks instead of eight audio tracks, but that is not a fix. I then tried selecting only one audio track, and it reverted to eight audio tracks. I still can't understand why the Delete All Empty Audio Tracks does not work.

Andrew Smith · August 5th, 2026, 11:15 PM

I would guess that because those audio tracks have an audio track/channel in them from the video, they aren't deemed to be "empty" by Premiere.

What video format were you filming in? Soiunds like it is more than mere XDCAM.

Andrew

Len Rosenberg · Yesterday, 05:19 AM

Using XAVC S-I. 3840x2160, H.264, 10 bit, 422, MXF wrapper. XDCAM is not an option on this camera.

Andrew Smith · Yesterday, 05:45 AM

The format I'm not too familiar with. Doug Jensen will know more.

Doug?

Andrew

Doug Jensen · Yesterday, 05:56 AM

What Andrew already posted in his first reply is exactly right and what I teach in my videos. Very easy. And if you do it right, then no deleting tracks on the timeline should ever be necessary. So, if you are having to do that, then you didn't do the Modify Audio step correctly. I recommend starting with a totally fresh Project and a new timeline and experimenting with the Modify settings until you have a feel for what choices to make to ensure the tracks come in as you want them. Then go back to your real project and do the same thing.

QUOTE:Premiere is doing the honourable thing by bringing in all eight audio channels of the XDCAM etc video format regardless of whether you were actually using each one of them or not. Before moving a clip from the assets bin onto a timeline, right click on it and select Modify--> Audio channels per the screenshots attached.

The key phrase in that advice is: "Before moving a clip from the assets bin onto a timeline . . ."

Len Rosenberg · Yesterday, 01:18 PM

Thanks very much Doug. Can you let me know what video(s) you are referring to when you say you teach modify audio? I'd like to watch and learn.

Many thanks,

Len

Doug Jensen · Yesterday, 04:17 PM

I wish I could give you a link, but I don't think I've ever covered that topic in any of my public YouTube videos. It is a topic I cover in some of my Sony camcorder masterclass training videos, but those are all behind a paywall at Vimeo and it would not be worth your money to sign up for an entire masterclass just to watch a little segment about audio import. It's really only about a 1-2 minute segment, out of a 6-8 masterclass.

Andrew Smith · Yesterday, 07:45 PM

Len,

Sign up and do the whole master class anyway. It's absolutely worth it for all the other handy bits you will learn.

Doug is the man, and he hangs out here in the forums at DVinfo. That's how we roll.

Andrew

Len Rosenberg · Today, 07:39 AM

Doug, I purchased your Master Class for the Z90 and the Z200. Both are great and were indispensable for me. There is no way I would have been able to get the Z200 to perform at it's best, let alone understand what's going on under the hood, without your instruction, so to me the class is worth every penny and then some. I have watched both many times over, of course the Z200 most recently. I do not recall any discussion of audio import in either class, and I'm pretty sure I watched every chapter. As you suggested, I will keep trying and hopefully figure it out. Thanks again for your help.

Best,

Len

August 5th, 2026, 09:32 AM	#1
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 119	Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Camera is a Sony Z200. When I import a video clip (via drag and drop from hard drive to the timeline in Adobe Premiere Pro 2026, I get three video tracks and eight audio tracks. Only one video track and two audio tracks have content, the others are empty. The camera is set to record audio only on inputs 1 and 2. The delete all empty tracks command works on video tracks but not on audio tracks. My questions are 1) how to stop Premiere from creating empty tracks on import, and 2) why does the delete all empty audio tracks not work? I've tried researching this on google but have not found the answers. Many thanks for any help. Len

August 5th, 2026, 09:46 PM	#2
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,184	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Hi Len, you've come to the right place. Premiere is doing the honourable thing by bringing in all eight audio channels of the XDCAM etc video format regardless of whether you were actually using each one of them or not. Before moving a clip from the assets bin onto a timeline, right click on it and select Modify--> Audio channels per the screenshots attached. For my typical useage, I reduce the channel count down to just three and allocare to ch 1 (a lapel mic / PA feed etc) and Ch 3 and Ch 4 for the internal mics on my Sony PMW-300. This gives me a much more manageable edit timeline when you place the clip there. Let us know how this works for you. Andrew Attached Thumbnails

August 5th, 2026, 10:53 PM	#3
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 119	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Thanks for the reply Andrew. I had tried that and selected 2 audio tracks. It was an improvement, in that I ended up with three video and four audio tracks instead of eight audio tracks, but that is not a fix. I then tried selecting only one audio track, and it reverted to eight audio tracks. I still can't understand why the Delete All Empty Audio Tracks does not work.

August 5th, 2026, 11:15 PM	#4
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,184	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import I would guess that because those audio tracks have an audio track/channel in them from the video, they aren't deemed to be "empty" by Premiere. What video format were you filming in? Soiunds like it is more than mere XDCAM. Andrew

Yesterday, 05:19 AM	#5
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 119	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Using XAVC S-I. 3840x2160, H.264, 10 bit, 422, MXF wrapper. XDCAM is not an option on this camera.

Yesterday, 05:45 AM	#6
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,184	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import The format I'm not too familiar with. Doug Jensen will know more. Doug? Andrew

Yesterday, 05:56 AM	#7
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,554	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import What Andrew already posted in his first reply is exactly right and what I teach in my videos. Very easy. And if you do it right, then no deleting tracks on the timeline should ever be necessary. So, if you are having to do that, then you didn't do the Modify Audio step correctly. I recommend starting with a totally fresh Project and a new timeline and experimenting with the Modify settings until you have a feel for what choices to make to ensure the tracks come in as you want them. Then go back to your real project and do the same thing. QUOTE:Premiere is doing the honourable thing by bringing in all eight audio channels of the XDCAM etc video format regardless of whether you were actually using each one of them or not. Before moving a clip from the assets bin onto a timeline, right click on it and select Modify--> Audio channels per the screenshots attached. The key phrase in that advice is: "Before moving a clip from the assets bin onto a timeline . . ." __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

Yesterday, 01:18 PM	#8
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 119	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Thanks very much Doug. Can you let me know what video(s) you are referring to when you say you teach modify audio? I'd like to watch and learn. Many thanks, Len

Yesterday, 04:17 PM	#9
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,554	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import I wish I could give you a link, but I don't think I've ever covered that topic in any of my public YouTube videos. It is a topic I cover in some of my Sony camcorder masterclass training videos, but those are all behind a paywall at Vimeo and it would not be worth your money to sign up for an entire masterclass just to watch a little segment about audio import. It's really only about a 1-2 minute segment, out of a 6-8 masterclass. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

Yesterday, 07:45 PM	#10
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,184	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Len, Sign up and do the whole master class anyway. It's absolutely worth it for all the other handy bits you will learn. Doug is the man, and he hangs out here in the forums at DVinfo. That's how we roll. Andrew

Today, 07:39 AM	#11
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 119	Re: Premiere Pro Multiple Empty Tracks On Import Doug, I purchased your Master Class for the Z90 and the Z200. Both are great and were indispensable for me. There is no way I would have been able to get the Z200 to perform at it's best, let alone understand what's going on under the hood, without your instruction, so to me the class is worth every penny and then some. I have watched both many times over, of course the Z200 most recently. I do not recall any discussion of audio import in either class, and I'm pretty sure I watched every chapter. As you suggested, I will keep trying and hopefully figure it out. Thanks again for your help. Best, Len