How to Record Audio or Voiceovers in DaVinci Resolve 18
DaVinci Resolve deals with all things related to video production, but you might not know that it can record audio too. With a built-in audio editing workstation called Fairlight, you don’t need to use another piece of software just for audio. A feature like this is perfect for recording simple audio or voiceovers.
Understanding how audio inputs and outputs work can be confusing at first. But it only takes a few turns recording audio before the process becomes intuitive. Here’s how to record audio in DaVinci Resolve 18.
What You Need to Record Audio in DaVinci Resolve
You can record audio in DaVinci Resolve 18 whether you use the free or studio version, you just need the following:
If you don’t already own a microphone, it’s well worth exploring the options out there. Capturing good-quality audio is essential to producing professional videos.
Thanks to the popularity of podcasting, there are plenty of affordable desktop mics available on the market. For the simplest solution, requiring no extra audio gear, look for a USB microphone.
1. Create an Audio Track
Start by navigating to the audio editing workstation by selecting theFairlighttab from the bottom of the screen. If your project already has audio then you will be able to see the audio track displayed in the timeline.
To create a new audio track for recording, right-click in an empty spot in the track header area and selectAdd Track>Mono. If you have a stereo microphone, selectStereoinstead.
This is a good time to change the name of the audio track. Simply double-click on the title of the audio track and enter a new name.
2. Select an Audio Input
Next, set up your microphone and make sure that it is connected to your computer. Once that is done, look for the audioMixerpanel in DaVinci Resolve. By default, it should be on the right-hand side of your screen.
In the mixer, there is a channel strip for each audio track in your session. The information is laid out vertically and starts with the number of the track at the top, i.e., A1, A2, Bus1.
To use the microphone that you connected earlier, you will need to add a micInputto the audio track you created in Step 1.
Find the track number in the Mixer (e.g.A2), then click on the input slot that says “No Input” and selectInputfrom the menu.
ThePatch Input/Outputwindow will then appear, and you will see audio input options listed underSourceon the left-hand side, and a list of audio tracks on the right underDestination.
Look for the name of your microphone under Source and make sure that it is selected. In this example, we selected theBuilt-in Microphonefrom our computer. Make sure to press thePatchbutton, then close the window.
3. Arm the Track for Recording
Before hitting the record button, you first need to arm the track for recording. You can do this by pressing theRbutton on the track header. Doing this will also let you check if your microphone is working.
If everything is connected correctly then you will see the gain meter light up green when you make a sound. This signal is also displayed in the mixer with more precise markings from 0 dB to -50 dB.
See our tips for troubleshooting at the end of the article if your microphone doesn’t appear to be working at this stage.
4. Record Your Audio
With the microphone set up and working, it’s time to hit record. Move the red playhead to where you want to start the recording, then press theRecordbutton in the playback controls. To stop the recording, press the spacebar on your keyboard.
Check out our handytips for achieving studio-quality vocals at hometo help improve your recordings. It’s not uncommon for professionals to work from home nowadays, so a few extraDIY hacks to improve your home studiowill also help.
5. Record Multiple Takes Using Layers
DaVinci Resolve makes it easy to re-do parts if you need to record them again. This is especially useful when you are recording a voiceover and need to fix a mistake, or if you simply want to change the way you delivered a line.
Instead of overwriting the existing audio file, it will create a new audio file and place it on top of the original. you could view these layers by going toView>Show Audio Track Layers.
The audio track that is at the very top of the stack is the one you will hear during playback. If you want to use a different clip, click and drag the clip to the top of the stack.
6. Export Your Video
Once you are finished recording your audio or voiceover it’s possible to export your video as usual by moving over to theDelivertab at the bottom of the screen.
To the left of the screen are the export settings. Here you can click on theAudiobutton to change the audio export settings. Make sure that theExport Audiocheckbox is ticked and adjust the codec and bit depth to suit your needs.
Troubleshooting
Not being able to hear anything from your microphone is a problem that crops up time and time again, whether you are new to audio production or a professional.
The best way to troubleshoot the problem is to follow the signal from where it begins to where it should end, testing it at various points.
Here is a checklist it’s possible to work through to isolate the problem:
There are lots ofmistakes that beginners make when using DaVinci Resolve, but with a bit of patience, you can easily troubleshoot the problem.
A Simple Way to Record Audio in DaVinci Resolve
Adding audio in DaVinci Resolve 18 is a useful skill to have. And with just a microphone and some handy troubleshooting tips, you can learn how to record audio directly into your session.
Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker or a YouTube creator, knowing how to add audio to your DaVinci Resolve project will help you streamline your production. you’re able to use it to add temp tracks while you’re still drafting your video. Or you can use it to add the final audio or voiceover track once your video is finished.
DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing app that comes in two flavors: free and paid. So what’s the difference between the two?
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