Imported audio file cuts off prematurely in iMovie

Here's an odd issue: I have three 5-minute-long audio files that I want to import into iMovie, over which I will overlay some graphics for the final video. The first two audio files import fine. The third one appears to import OK, but I can only get it to play up to the, say, three minute mark, and then it "cuts off."


Things I've tried:


Dragging out the right side of the imported audio file in iMovie to make sure it is playing all the way to the end of the file (it is)


Creating a new test iMovie project and importing the file into that to see if the same issue occurs. It does; the imported audio only plays up to the three minute mark and then cuts off.


Opening the file in QuickTime player to make sure the entire five minutes of audio is present. It is, and the entire file plays in QuickTime player.


Trimming off the first minute and a half of the audio in QuickTime Player, re-saving it as a new file, and importing that into iMovie. Again, it only imports up to the what was formerly the three minute mark but no more.


I'm out of ideas. Anything else to try?

Mac mini, macOS 13.3

Posted on Apr 13, 2025 3:10 PM

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Apr 14, 2025 9:33 AM in response to Timothy Arends1

Hi,


There may be a tiny rendering defect at the point where the song stops playing. iMovie is more sensitive to tiny defects than QuickTimePlayer.


Try re-rendering the song, either from its original source or by importing it into a new project and then exporting it as an audio only file (a Format option from the export box). With the latter option you can also change the format if you want.


To cover the bases, you can also try deleting preferences. To delete preferences open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new empty library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. (To reopen your old library close iMovie and go to your Movie folder or wherever you have your old iMovie library stored. Double click on the library’s icon.  iMovie will open in that library.) Possibly you may need to reboot to set the changes.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.


-- Rich





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Imported audio file cuts off prematurely in iMovie

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