Studio 21.1.1
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AUDIO & DIALOGUE

How to fade audio in and out

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Audio fades prevent abrupt starts, clicks, and rough transitions. A fade should follow the sound’s purpose rather than use the same duration on every clip.

Before you begin

Use headphones and a short section containing speech, silence, and any music.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Audio clip with fade handle and fade curve
Audio clip with fade handle and fade curve Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 1113. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Expand the audio track enough to see its waveform and the upper corners of the clip.
  2. Drag the fade handle at the clip’s start inward to create a fade-in. Use a short fade for a click and a longer one for atmosphere or music.
  3. Drag the end handle inward for a fade-out. Adjust the fade shape if the level change sounds too abrupt or too slow.
  4. Listen across both boundaries in context and check that speech consonants, breaths, and musical endings are not unintentionally removed.

Check your result

The clip enters and leaves cleanly without clicks, chopped words, or an unnatural drop in ambience.

If it doesn’t work as expected

A fade cannot hide a bad dialogue edit when it removes part of a syllable. Move the edit point or use matching room tone before extending the fade.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Fairlight: clear, intentional sound

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

Open module 11 →
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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.