can you tell me specifically where the mute function is?
and i've also tried deleting the audio tracks, but i still have audio that comes through on the playback. how is this possible? and, will the mute function remove it completely?
In Timeline mode you have to the left on each track a Padlock (locking), an S (solo) and an M (mute).
You can also drag the rectangle in the middle of the audio track completely down.
To delete an audio track, it first must be Ungrouped from the video by selecting it an press the Broken Chain. (Ctrl+M).