Play clips in Source Monitor

The Source Monitor plays back individual clips so you can preview footage before adding it to a sequence. Use the playback controls to review clips, locate specific frames, and evaluate content before editing. To play sequences, use the Program Monitor instead.

Before playing a clip, open it in the Source Monitor by double-clicking it in the Project panel or Timeline panel. Ensure the Source Monitor is active by clicking anywhere in the panel, a blue border indicates the monitor is selected and ready to receive keyboard commands.

Play a clip using playback controls

The Source Monitor includes customizable playback controls along the bottom of the panel. If the button you need isn't visible, select the Button Editor icon at the lower-right corner to add buttons to the control bar. You can add up to two rows of buttons by dragging them from the Button Editor into the button bar.

Navigate clips with keyboard shortcuts

Use keyboard shortcuts for faster playback control and frame-by-frame navigation:

• Play forward: Use L once for normal speed. Use L multiple times to increase speed, or Shift + L for slightly faster playback.
• Play in reverse: Use J once for normal reverse speed. Use J multiple times to increase reverse speed, or Shift + J for slightly faster reverse playback.
• Play slowly: Use K + L together to move forward slowly, or use K + J to move backward slowly.
• Step one frame: Press K and tap L to step forward one frame, or use K and tap J to step backward one frame.
• Step five frames: Use Shift + Right Arrow to step forward five frames, or use Shift + Left Arrow to step backward five frames.