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How do I Reduce Audio in DaVinci Resolve?

Published in Audio Editing 2 mins read

You can reduce audio volume in DaVinci Resolve by adjusting the audio levels either on the entire track or on individual clips. Here's how:

Method 1: Adjusting Track Volume

  1. Locate the Audio Track: In the Edit or Fairlight page, find the audio track containing the audio you want to reduce.
  2. Adjust the Track Fader: On the left side of the timeline, locate the track fader for your chosen audio track.
  3. Lower the Volume: Click and drag the fader downwards. This will decrease the overall volume of the entire track. The volume is measured in decibels (dB); dragging downwards will result in negative dB values, indicating a reduction in volume. You can see the volume level displayed as you adjust the fader.

Method 2: Adjusting Individual Clip Volume

  1. Select the Clip: Click on the specific audio clip in the timeline whose volume you want to reduce.
  2. Open the Inspector Panel: If it's not already open, click the "Inspector" tab in the upper right corner of the DaVinci Resolve interface.
  3. Navigate to the Audio Section: In the Inspector, scroll down or look for an "Audio" section.
  4. Adjust the Volume Slider: Within the Audio section, you'll find a "Volume" slider. Click and drag this slider to the left to decrease the volume of the selected clip. Again, this is measured in dB.
  5. (Optional) Use Keyframes: For more dynamic volume control, you can add keyframes to the volume level. Click the small diamond icon to the right of the Volume slider to add a keyframe. Move the playhead to a different point in the clip, adjust the Volume slider, and a new keyframe will be automatically added. This allows you to create volume fades or dips within a single clip.

Additional Tips:

  • Monitoring Audio Levels: Keep an eye on the audio meters (typically located on the right side of the interface) to ensure your audio isn't clipping (exceeding 0dB). Clipping results in distortion and should be avoided.
  • Normalization: Consider using the normalization feature in DaVinci Resolve to automatically adjust the audio levels to a consistent target volume without clipping.
  • Fairlight Page: For advanced audio mixing and mastering, use the Fairlight page. This page offers a wider range of audio tools and controls.
  • Listen Carefully: Always use headphones or studio monitors to accurately assess the quality and levels of your audio.