Studio 21.1.1
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EDITING ESSENTIALS

How to add and manage timeline tracks

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Tracks separate picture layers and sound roles. Higher video tracks usually cover lower tracks where their pixels are opaque; audio tracks are mixed through their routing.

Before you begin

Open a practice timeline on the Edit page. Duplicate it before experimenting.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Timeline track headers and video/audio clips
Timeline track headers and video/audio clips Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 824. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Right-click a track header on Edit and use Add Track or Add Tracks to create the required video or audio track.
  2. For audio, choose the correct channel format, such as mono for a single microphone or stereo for stereo music.
  3. Rename tracks by role and adjust their height so clips and waveforms are visible. Place related material consistently.
  4. Use track lock, mute, solo, or video enable controls deliberately, then restore the intended playback state before exporting.

Check your result

The track layout is easy to read and every intended picture layer and sound role reaches the output.

If it doesn’t work as expected

A hidden or muted track can look like missing media. Check the header controls before relinking files or rebuilding the timeline.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Edit with precision

Go deeper with the course’s explanations, exercises, and knowledge checks.

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Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.