diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.test.ts
index 84f23ac59..fad6e3cd6 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import { resolveSeekPercent } from "./PlayerControls";
+import { shouldMutePreviewAudio } from "../lib/timelineIframeHelpers";
 
 describe("resolveSeekPercent", () => {
   it("returns 0 when the track width is invalid", () => {
@@ -18,3 +19,19 @@ describe("resolveSeekPercent", () => {
     expect(resolveSeekPercent(150, 100, 200)).toBe(0.25);
   });
 });
+
+describe("shouldMutePreviewAudio", () => {
+  it("mutes when the user toggled audio off", () => {
+    expect(shouldMutePreviewAudio(true, 1)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("auto-mutes above 1x playback", () => {
+    expect(shouldMutePreviewAudio(false, 1.5)).toBe(true);
+    expect(shouldMutePreviewAudio(false, 2)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps audio on at 1x or slower when the user has not muted it", () => {
+    expect(shouldMutePreviewAudio(false, 1)).toBe(false);
+    expect(shouldMutePreviewAudio(false, 0.5)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx b/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx
index 9594a91ba..027d94e7e 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useRef, useState, useCallback, useEffect, memo } from "react";
 import { useMountEffect } from "../../hooks/useMountEffect";
 import { formatFrameTime, frameToSeconds, stepFrameTime, formatTime } from "../lib/time";
+import { shouldMutePreviewAudio } from "../lib/timelineIframeHelpers";
 import { usePlayerStore, liveTime } from "../store/playerStore";
 
 const SPEED_OPTIONS = [0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2] as const;
@@ -57,8 +58,10 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
   const duration = usePlayerStore((s) => s.duration);
   const timelineReady = usePlayerStore((s) => s.timelineReady);
   const playbackRate = usePlayerStore((s) => s.playbackRate);
+  const audioMuted = usePlayerStore((s) => s.audioMuted);
   const loopEnabled = usePlayerStore((s) => s.loopEnabled);
   const setPlaybackRate = usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackRate;
+  const setAudioMuted = usePlayerStore.getState().setAudioMuted;
   const setLoopEnabled = usePlayerStore.getState().setLoopEnabled;
   const inPoint = usePlayerStore((s) => s.inPoint);
   const outPoint = usePlayerStore((s) => s.outPoint);
@@ -84,6 +87,13 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
   const durationRef = useRef(duration);
   durationRef.current = duration;
   const controlsDisabled = disabled || !timelineReady;
+  const audioAutoMuted = playbackRate > 1;
+  const effectiveAudioMuted = shouldMutePreviewAudio(audioMuted, playbackRate);
+  const muteButtonLabel = audioAutoMuted
+    ? "Audio muted above 1x speed"
+    : audioMuted
+      ? "Unmute audio"
+      : "Mute audio";
   useMountEffect(() => {
     const updateProgress = (t: number) => {
       currentTimeRef.current = t;
@@ -420,6 +430,57 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
         </div>
       </div>
 
+      {/* Mute toggle */}
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        onClick={() => {
+          if (!audioAutoMuted) setAudioMuted(!audioMuted);
+        }}
+        disabled={controlsDisabled || audioAutoMuted}
+        title={muteButtonLabel}
+        aria-label={muteButtonLabel}
+        aria-pressed={effectiveAudioMuted}
+        className={`h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 flex items-center justify-center rounded-md border transition-colors disabled:pointer-events-none ${
+          effectiveAudioMuted
+            ? "text-studio-accent bg-studio-accent/10 border-studio-accent/30"
+            : "border-neutral-700 text-neutral-400 hover:border-neutral-500 hover:bg-neutral-800"
+        } ${audioAutoMuted ? "opacity-70" : ""}`}
+      >
+        {effectiveAudioMuted ? (
+          <svg
+            width="13"
+            height="13"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            fill="none"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+            strokeWidth="2"
+            strokeLinecap="round"
+            strokeLinejoin="round"
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          >
+            <path d="M11 5 6 9H3v6h3l5 4V5Z" />
+            <path d="m19 9-6 6" />
+            <path d="m13 9 6 6" />
+          </svg>
+        ) : (
+          <svg
+            width="13"
+            height="13"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            fill="none"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+            strokeWidth="2"
+            strokeLinecap="round"
+            strokeLinejoin="round"
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          >
+            <path d="M11 5 6 9H3v6h3l5 4V5Z" />
+            <path d="M15.5 8.5a5 5 0 0 1 0 7" />
+            <path d="M18.5 5.5a9 9 0 0 1 0 13" />
+          </svg>
+        )}
+      </button>
+
       {/* Speed control */}
       <div ref={speedMenuContainerRef} className="relative flex-shrink-0">
         <button
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.seek.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.seek.test.ts
index 4a6153a0c..b61f1ce09 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.seek.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.seek.test.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import React, { act, useEffect } from "react";
 import { createRoot } from "react-dom/client";
-import { afterEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { useTimelinePlayer } from "./useTimelinePlayer";
 import { liveTime, usePlayerStore } from "../store/playerStore";
 
@@ -30,7 +30,13 @@ afterEach(() => {
   resetPlayerStore();
 });
 
-function attachIframeAdapter(api: ReturnType<typeof useTimelinePlayer>) {
+function attachIframeAdapter(
+  api: ReturnType<typeof useTimelinePlayer>,
+  options: {
+    postMessage?: (message: unknown, targetOrigin: string) => void;
+    timelines?: Record<string, unknown>;
+  } = {},
+) {
   const iframe = document.createElement("iframe");
   let currentTime = 0;
   const adapter = {
@@ -46,7 +52,8 @@ function attachIframeAdapter(api: ReturnType<typeof useTimelinePlayer>) {
   Object.defineProperty(iframe, "contentWindow", {
     value: {
       __player: adapter,
-      postMessage: () => {},
+      __timelines: options.timelines,
+      postMessage: options.postMessage ?? (() => {}),
       scrollTo: () => {},
       addEventListener: () => {},
       removeEventListener: () => {},
@@ -133,6 +140,107 @@ describe("useTimelinePlayer seek hydration", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("useTimelinePlayer audio controls (#835)", () => {
+  it("applies playback-rate changes immediately and auto-mutes audio above 1x", () => {
+    let api: ReturnType<typeof useTimelinePlayer> | null = null;
+    const host = document.createElement("div");
+    document.body.append(host);
+    const root = createRoot(host);
+    const postMessage = vi.fn();
+    const timeScale = vi.fn();
+
+    act(() => {
+      root.render(
+        React.createElement(TimelinePlayerHarness, { onValue: (value) => (api = value) }),
+      );
+    });
+    attachIframeAdapter(api!, {
+      postMessage,
+      timelines: {
+        root: { timeScale },
+      },
+    });
+    postMessage.mockClear();
+    timeScale.mockClear();
+
+    act(() => {
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setAudioMuted(false);
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackRate(2);
+    });
+
+    expect(postMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        source: "hf-parent",
+        type: "control",
+        action: "set-playback-rate",
+        playbackRate: 2,
+      }),
+      "*",
+    );
+    expect(postMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        source: "hf-parent",
+        type: "control",
+        action: "set-muted",
+        muted: true,
+      }),
+      "*",
+    );
+    expect(timeScale).toHaveBeenCalledWith(2);
+
+    postMessage.mockClear();
+
+    act(() => {
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackRate(1);
+    });
+
+    expect(postMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        action: "set-muted",
+        muted: false,
+      }),
+      "*",
+    );
+
+    act(() => {
+      root.unmount();
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("keeps explicit Studio mute active at 1x", () => {
+    let api: ReturnType<typeof useTimelinePlayer> | null = null;
+    const host = document.createElement("div");
+    document.body.append(host);
+    const root = createRoot(host);
+    const postMessage = vi.fn();
+
+    act(() => {
+      root.render(
+        React.createElement(TimelinePlayerHarness, { onValue: (value) => (api = value) }),
+      );
+    });
+    attachIframeAdapter(api!, { postMessage });
+    postMessage.mockClear();
+
+    act(() => {
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackRate(1);
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setAudioMuted(true);
+    });
+
+    expect(postMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        action: "set-muted",
+        muted: true,
+      }),
+      "*",
+    );
+
+    act(() => {
+      root.unmount();
+    });
+  });
+});
+
 describe("useTimelinePlayer seek keepPlaying option (#834)", () => {
   it("default seek() clears isPlaying when the store reports playing", () => {
     let api: ReturnType<typeof useTimelinePlayer> | null = null;
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts
index 4fbbb4cbd..cbd6a164a 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,11 @@ import {
   mergeTimelineElementsPreservingDowngrades,
   parseTimelineFromDOM,
 } from "../lib/timelineDOM";
-import { unmutePreviewMedia } from "../lib/timelineIframeHelpers";
+import {
+  setPreviewMediaMuted,
+  setPreviewPlaybackRate,
+  shouldMutePreviewAudio,
+} from "../lib/timelineIframeHelpers";
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Hook
@@ -218,11 +222,7 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
   const applyPlaybackRate = useCallback((rate: number) => {
     const iframe = iframeRef.current;
     if (!iframe) return;
-    // Send to runtime via bridge (works with both new and CDN runtime)
-    iframe.contentWindow?.postMessage(
-      { source: "hf-parent", type: "control", action: "set-playback-rate", playbackRate: rate },
-      "*",
-    );
+    setPreviewPlaybackRate(iframe, rate);
     // Also set directly on GSAP timeline if accessible
     try {
       const win = iframe.contentWindow as IframeWindow | null;
@@ -241,6 +241,15 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     }
   }, []);
 
+  const applyPreviewAudioState = useCallback((playbackRateOverride?: number) => {
+    const { audioMuted, playbackRate } = usePlayerStore.getState();
+    const effectivePlaybackRate = playbackRateOverride ?? playbackRate;
+    setPreviewMediaMuted(
+      iframeRef.current,
+      shouldMutePreviewAudio(audioMuted, effectivePlaybackRate),
+    );
+  }, []);
+
   const play = useCallback(() => {
     stopRAFLoop();
     stopReverseLoop();
@@ -249,13 +258,21 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     if (adapter.getTime() >= adapter.getDuration()) {
       adapter.seek(usePlayerStore.getState().inPoint ?? 0);
     }
-    unmutePreviewMedia(iframeRef.current);
     applyPlaybackRate(usePlayerStore.getState().playbackRate);
+    applyPreviewAudioState();
     adapter.play();
     shuttleDirectionRef.current = "forward";
     setIsPlaying(true);
     startRAFLoop();
-  }, [getAdapter, setIsPlaying, startRAFLoop, applyPlaybackRate, stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop]);
+  }, [
+    getAdapter,
+    setIsPlaying,
+    startRAFLoop,
+    applyPlaybackRate,
+    applyPreviewAudioState,
+    stopRAFLoop,
+    stopReverseLoop,
+  ]);
 
   const playBackward = useCallback(
     (rate: number) => {
@@ -267,8 +284,9 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
       const initialTime = adapter.getTime() <= 0 && duration > 0 ? duration : adapter.getTime();
       adapter.pause();
       if (initialTime !== adapter.getTime()) adapter.seek(initialTime);
-      unmutePreviewMedia(iframeRef.current);
       const speed = Math.max(0.1, Math.min(4, rate));
+      applyPlaybackRate(speed);
+      applyPreviewAudioState(speed);
       let startTime = initialTime;
       let startedAt = performance.now();
 
@@ -305,7 +323,15 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
       shuttleDirectionRef.current = "backward";
       reverseRafRef.current = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
     },
-    [getAdapter, setCurrentTime, setIsPlaying, stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop],
+    [
+      getAdapter,
+      setCurrentTime,
+      setIsPlaying,
+      applyPlaybackRate,
+      applyPreviewAudioState,
+      stopRAFLoop,
+      stopReverseLoop,
+    ],
   );
 
   const pause = useCallback(() => {
@@ -392,6 +418,7 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
       setTimelineReady,
       setIsPlaying,
       attachIframeShortcutListeners,
+      applyPreviewAudioState,
     });
 
   const saveSeekPosition = useCallback(() => {
@@ -516,6 +543,19 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     usePlayerStore.getState().reset();
   }, [stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return usePlayerStore.subscribe((state, prev) => {
+      const playbackRateChanged = state.playbackRate !== prev.playbackRate;
+      const audioMutedChanged = state.audioMuted !== prev.audioMuted;
+      if (!playbackRateChanged && !audioMutedChanged) return;
+
+      if (playbackRateChanged) {
+        applyPlaybackRate(state.playbackRate);
+      }
+      applyPreviewAudioState();
+    });
+  }, [applyPlaybackRate, applyPreviewAudioState]);
+
   return {
     iframeRef,
     play,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelineSyncCallbacks.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelineSyncCallbacks.ts
index 8775ee017..54c28732f 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelineSyncCallbacks.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelineSyncCallbacks.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import {
 import {
   normalizePreviewViewport,
   autoHealMissingCompositionIds,
-  unmutePreviewMedia,
   buildMissingCompositionElements,
 } from "../lib/timelineIframeHelpers";
 import { getTimelineElementIdentity } from "../lib/timelineElementHelpers";
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ interface UseTimelineSyncCallbacksParams {
   setTimelineReady: (v: boolean) => void;
   setIsPlaying: (v: boolean) => void;
   attachIframeShortcutListeners: () => void;
+  applyPreviewAudioState: () => void;
 }
 
 export function useTimelineSyncCallbacks({
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ export function useTimelineSyncCallbacks({
   setTimelineReady,
   setIsPlaying,
   attachIframeShortcutListeners,
+  applyPreviewAudioState,
 }: UseTimelineSyncCallbacksParams) {
   // Convert a runtime timeline message (from iframe postMessage) into TimelineElements
   const processTimelineMessage = useCallback(
@@ -192,6 +193,7 @@ export function useTimelineSyncCallbacks({
         processTimelineMessage(manifest);
       }
       enrichMissingCompositions();
+      applyPreviewAudioState();
 
       if (usePlayerStore.getState().elements.length === 0 && doc) {
         const els = parseTimelineFromDOM(doc, adapter.getDuration());
@@ -225,13 +227,14 @@ export function useTimelineSyncCallbacks({
     enrichMissingCompositions,
     syncTimelineElements,
     attachIframeShortcutListeners,
+    applyPreviewAudioState,
     iframeRef,
     isRefreshingRef,
     pendingSeekRef,
   ]);
 
   const onIframeLoad = useCallback(() => {
-    unmutePreviewMedia(iframeRef.current);
+    applyPreviewAudioState();
     if (probeIntervalRef.current) clearInterval(probeIntervalRef.current);
 
     // Fast path: adapter already available (in-place reloads, cached compositions)
@@ -270,7 +273,7 @@ export function useTimelineSyncCallbacks({
       }
       window.removeEventListener("message", onMessage);
     }, 5000) as unknown as ReturnType<typeof setInterval>;
-  }, [initializeAdapter, iframeRef, probeIntervalRef]);
+  }, [initializeAdapter, iframeRef, probeIntervalRef, applyPreviewAudioState]);
 
   // Stable refs so mount-effect closures always call the latest version
   const processTimelineMessageRef = { current: processTimelineMessage };
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineDOM.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineDOM.ts
index de84d3ee4..5fc6fbb66 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineDOM.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineDOM.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Higher-level timeline DOM operations: element factories, DOM-to-element
  * parsing, timeline merging, and standalone composition helpers.
  *
- * Preview iframe utilities (normaliseViewport, autoHeal, unmute, resolveIframe,
+ * Preview iframe utilities (normaliseViewport, autoHeal, audio controls, resolveIframe,
  * buildMissingCompositionElements) live in timelineIframeHelpers.ts.
  *
  * Pure functions (no React, no store reads) — testable in isolation.
@@ -42,7 +42,9 @@ export {
 export {
   normalizePreviewViewport,
   autoHealMissingCompositionIds,
-  unmutePreviewMedia,
+  setPreviewMediaMuted,
+  setPreviewPlaybackRate,
+  shouldMutePreviewAudio,
   resolveIframe,
   buildMissingCompositionElements,
 } from "./timelineIframeHelpers";
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineIframeHelpers.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineIframeHelpers.ts
index 32e4247bf..7bb824bdb 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineIframeHelpers.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/timelineIframeHelpers.ts
@@ -73,18 +73,74 @@ export function autoHealMissingCompositionIds(doc: Document): void {
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Muting / iframe resolution
+// Audio / iframe resolution
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-export function unmutePreviewMedia(iframe: HTMLIFrameElement | null): void {
+type PreviewPlayerHost = HTMLElement & {
+  muted?: boolean;
+  playbackRate?: number;
+};
+
+function isPreviewPlayerHost(value: unknown): value is PreviewPlayerHost {
+  return value instanceof HTMLElement;
+}
+
+function resolvePreviewPlayerHost(iframe: HTMLIFrameElement): PreviewPlayerHost | null {
+  const root = iframe.getRootNode();
+  if (
+    typeof ShadowRoot !== "undefined" &&
+    root instanceof ShadowRoot &&
+    isPreviewPlayerHost(root.host)
+  ) {
+    return root.host;
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function postPreviewControl(
+  iframe: HTMLIFrameElement,
+  action: string,
+  payload: Record<string, unknown>,
+): void {
+  iframe.contentWindow?.postMessage(
+    { source: "hf-parent", type: "control", action, ...payload },
+    "*",
+  );
+}
+
+export function shouldMutePreviewAudio(audioMuted: boolean, playbackRate: number): boolean {
+  return audioMuted || playbackRate > 1;
+}
+
+export function setPreviewMediaMuted(iframe: HTMLIFrameElement | null, muted: boolean): void {
   if (!iframe) return;
   try {
-    iframe.contentWindow?.postMessage(
-      { source: "hf-parent", type: "control", action: "set-muted", muted: false },
-      "*",
-    );
+    const host = resolvePreviewPlayerHost(iframe);
+    if (host && typeof host.muted === "boolean") {
+      host.muted = muted;
+      return;
+    }
+    postPreviewControl(iframe, "set-muted", { muted });
   } catch (err) {
-    console.warn("[useTimelinePlayer] Failed to unmute preview media", err);
+    console.warn("[useTimelinePlayer] Failed to set preview media mute state", err);
+  }
+}
+
+export function setPreviewPlaybackRate(
+  iframe: HTMLIFrameElement | null,
+  playbackRate: number,
+): void {
+  if (!iframe) return;
+  const rate = Number.isFinite(playbackRate) && playbackRate > 0 ? playbackRate : 1;
+  try {
+    const host = resolvePreviewPlayerHost(iframe);
+    if (host && typeof host.playbackRate === "number") {
+      host.playbackRate = rate;
+      return;
+    }
+    postPreviewControl(iframe, "set-playback-rate", { playbackRate: rate });
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn("[useTimelinePlayer] Failed to set preview playback rate", err);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts
index cf7dc5385..78b43f6d7 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
       expect(state.elements).toEqual([]);
       expect(state.selectedElementId).toBeNull();
       expect(state.playbackRate).toBe(1);
+      expect(state.audioMuted).toBe(false);
       expect(state.loopEnabled).toBe(false);
       expect(state.zoomMode).toBe("fit");
       expect(state.manualZoomPercent).toBe(100);
@@ -62,6 +63,13 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("setAudioMuted", () => {
+    it("updates audioMuted", () => {
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setAudioMuted(true);
+      expect(usePlayerStore.getState().audioMuted).toBe(true);
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("setLoopEnabled", () => {
     it("updates loopEnabled", () => {
       usePlayerStore.getState().setLoopEnabled(true);
@@ -213,9 +221,10 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
       expect(state.selectedElementId).toBeNull();
     });
 
-    it("does not reset playbackRate, loopEnabled, zoomMode, or manualZoomPercent", () => {
+    it("does not reset playbackRate, audioMuted, loopEnabled, zoomMode, or manualZoomPercent", () => {
       const store = usePlayerStore.getState();
       store.setPlaybackRate(2);
+      store.setAudioMuted(true);
       store.setLoopEnabled(true);
       store.setZoomMode("manual");
       store.setManualZoomPercent(200);
@@ -225,6 +234,7 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
       const state = usePlayerStore.getState();
       // reset() only resets the fields explicitly listed in the reset function
       expect(state.playbackRate).toBe(2);
+      expect(state.audioMuted).toBe(true);
       expect(state.loopEnabled).toBe(true);
       expect(state.zoomMode).toBe("manual");
       expect(state.manualZoomPercent).toBe(200);
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts
index 4b96c2634..59792d20d 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ interface PlayerState {
   elements: TimelineElement[];
   selectedElementId: string | null;
   playbackRate: number;
+  audioMuted: boolean;
   loopEnabled: boolean;
   /** Timeline zoom: 'fit' auto-scales to viewport, 'manual' uses manualZoomPercent */
   zoomMode: ZoomMode;
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ interface PlayerState {
   setCurrentTime: (time: number) => void;
   setDuration: (duration: number) => void;
   setPlaybackRate: (rate: number) => void;
+  setAudioMuted: (muted: boolean) => void;
   setLoopEnabled: (enabled: boolean) => void;
   setTimelineReady: (ready: boolean) => void;
   setElements: (elements: TimelineElement[]) => void;
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ export const usePlayerStore = create<PlayerState>((set) => ({
   elements: [],
   selectedElementId: null,
   playbackRate: readStudioUiPreferences().playbackRate ?? 1,
+  audioMuted: readStudioUiPreferences().audioMuted ?? false,
   loopEnabled: false,
   zoomMode: "fit",
   manualZoomPercent: 100,
@@ -111,6 +114,10 @@ export const usePlayerStore = create<PlayerState>((set) => ({
     writeStudioUiPreferences({ playbackRate: rate });
     set({ playbackRate: rate });
   },
+  setAudioMuted: (muted) => {
+    writeStudioUiPreferences({ audioMuted: muted });
+    set({ audioMuted: muted });
+  },
   setLoopEnabled: (enabled) => set({ loopEnabled: enabled }),
   setZoomMode: (mode) => set({ zoomMode: mode }),
   setInPoint: (time) =>
@@ -144,7 +151,7 @@ export const usePlayerStore = create<PlayerState>((set) => ({
       ),
     })),
   // Resets project-specific state when switching compositions.
-  // playbackRate, loopEnabled, zoomMode, and manualZoomPercent are intentionally preserved
+  // playbackRate, audioMuted, loopEnabled, zoomMode, and manualZoomPercent are intentionally preserved
   // because they are user preferences that should survive project switches.
   reset: () =>
     set({
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.test.ts
index baa950bca..c5dbd5096 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.test.ts
@@ -21,11 +21,13 @@ describe("studio UI preferences", () => {
 
     writeStudioUiPreferences({ timelineVisible: false }, storage);
     writeStudioUiPreferences({ playbackRate: 1.5 }, storage);
+    writeStudioUiPreferences({ audioMuted: true }, storage);
     writeStudioUiPreferences({ previewZoom: { zoomPercent: 160, panX: -20, panY: 12 } }, storage);
 
     expect(readStudioUiPreferences(storage)).toEqual({
       timelineVisible: false,
       playbackRate: 1.5,
+      audioMuted: true,
       previewZoom: { zoomPercent: 160, panX: -20, panY: 12 },
     });
   });
@@ -38,6 +40,7 @@ describe("studio UI preferences", () => {
         leftCollapsed: "yes",
         timelineVisible: true,
         playbackRate: Number.NaN,
+        audioMuted: "false",
         previewZoom: { zoomPercent: 150, panX: 0, panY: "bad" },
       }),
     );
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.ts b/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.ts
index 820b0839b..328369e37 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/utils/studioUiPreferences.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export interface StudioUiPreferences {
   leftCollapsed?: boolean;
   timelineVisible?: boolean;
   playbackRate?: number;
+  audioMuted?: boolean;
   previewZoom?: StoredPreviewZoomState;
 }
 
@@ -44,6 +45,9 @@ function readStorage(storage: Storage | null): StudioUiPreferences {
     if (typeof parsed.playbackRate === "number" && Number.isFinite(parsed.playbackRate)) {
       preferences.playbackRate = parsed.playbackRate;
     }
+    if (typeof parsed.audioMuted === "boolean") {
+      preferences.audioMuted = parsed.audioMuted;
+    }
     if (isRecord(parsed.previewZoom)) {
       const { zoomPercent, panX, panY } = parsed.previewZoom;
       if (