What is a Sequence in Premiere Pro?

How to Create a Sequence in Premiere Pro

Method 1: Creating a Sequence from the “File” Menu

1. Open Premiere Pro and go to the Project panel.
2. Click File > New > Sequence.
3. The New Sequence dialog box will appear.
4. Select a preset that matches your footage or desired output format.
5. Name your sequence and click OK.

This method is ideal when you already know the specs you need — such as editing a 1080p 30fps video for YouTube.

Method 2: Creating a Sequence from a Clip

1. Drag a clip directly from the Project panel to the New Item icon (bottom of the panel).
2. Premiere will automatically create a sequence that matches the clip’s settings.

This is one of the quickest and most accurate ways to create a new sequence in Premiere Pro, especially when you want to match your timeline to your camera footage.

Understanding the “New Sequence” Dialog Box

The dialog box presents a variety of sequence presets, grouped by camera formats (like ARRI, DSLR, RED, etc.). These presets determine your sequence’s frame size, timebase (frame rate), and audio settings.

For most online creators, the Digital SLR > 1080p > DSLR 1080p24 or 1080p30 presets are a solid start. However, you can always customize these values manually under the Settings tab.

The Premiere Pro timeline created from your sequence becomes the canvas for your entire edit — so taking the time to get the setup right is crucial.

Understanding Premiere Pro Sequence Settings

Key Sequence Settings Explained

• Frame Rate (Timebase): Common options include 23.976, 25, or 30 fps. Match this to your source footage unless you plan to create a slow-motion effect or cinematic look.
• Frame Size/Resolution: Choose based on your target platform — 1920×1080 for YouTube, or 1080×1920 for Instagram Stories, for example.
• Pixel Aspect Ratio: Most modern footage uses Square Pixels (1.0).
• Audio Sample Rate: 48000 Hz is standard for video.
• Preview File Format and Codec: These settings affect playback and render previews, but they don’t affect the final export. Use I-Frame Only MPEG or ProRes for smoother previews.

Matching Sequence Settings to Footage

One of the most common beginner mistakes is mixing footage with different resolutions or frame rates without adjusting the sequence accordingly. You can right-click your clip and choose “New Sequence from Clip” to let Premiere do the matching for you — an essential tip when setting up a sequence in Premiere Pro.

If you’re working with footage from multiple cameras or formats, consider using tools like Motion Factory to keep everything clean and modular.

Check out these powerful plugins.

Optimizing Your Sequence Workflow

Troubleshooting Sequence Issues

1. Mismatched Frame Rates or Resolutions

• Symptom: Blurry or jittery playback.
• Fix: Create a new sequence that matches your primary footage. Copy your existing timeline and paste it into the new one.

2. Audio Out of Sync

• Symptom: Dialogue doesn’t match mouth movements.
• Fix: Make sure your audio sample rate is 48 kHz. Convert clips that are recorded in 44.1 kHz before importing.

3. Cropped or Zoomed Footage

• Symptom: Clips appear cropped or don’t fill the frame.
• Fix: Right-click the clip in the timeline and choose “Set to Frame Size” or “Scale to Frame Size” to adjust.

4. Cannot Change Sequence Settings

• Symptom: Some fields in the Sequence Settings are greyed out.
• Fix: Premiere locks certain settings once media is placed on the timeline. In this case, create a new sequence with the desired settings and migrate your timeline into it.

Conclusion

By understanding Premiere Pro sequence settings, matching them with your footage, and using the right presets, you’ll ensure smoother edits and higher-quality exports — whether you’re making YouTube videos, social content, or client projects.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, take some time to practice! Start a new project, try creating sequences from clips and the menu, and explore using templates from Pixflow to boost your productivity.