How to Fade Audio In and Out in DaVinci Resolve

Bad audio ruins a video faster than bad footage does. A hard cut in and out of a sound clip is one of the quickest ways to make an edit feel amateur. DaVinci Resolve gives you three different ways to fade audio, from a two-second drag to full manual control in Fairlight. Here's how each one works and when to use it.

Video Tutorial

In Short: Fading Audio in DaVinci Resolve

• The fastest method is fade handles: hover over the top corner of an audio clip and drag the small white handle inward.
• For precise control, use keyframes: Alt+click (Option+click on Mac) on the volume line to place a keyframe, then adjust its position.
• For professional mixing, use the Fairlight page's automation and fader controls.
• To blend two overlapping clips, use a crossfade, either from the Effects Library or the Ctrl+T shortcut on the edit point.
• Switching between a linear and logarithmic fade curve changes how natural the transition sounds, logarithmic usually reads as smoother to the ear.

Method 1: Fade Audio Using Fade Handles

This is the quickest method and covers most everyday edits.

1. Drag your audio clip onto the timeline.
2. Click the clip to select it.
3. Hover over the top corner of the clip. A small white fade handle appears.
4. Drag the left handle inward to fade in, or the right handle inward to fade out.
5. Click the fade line itself to adjust the curve. A linear fade changes volume at a steady rate, a logarithmic fade tapers more naturally to the ear.

Best for quick fades where you don't need frame-by-frame control.

Method 2: Fade Audio Using Keyframes

Keyframes give you control over exactly where a fade starts, ends, and how it behaves in between, useful when a fade needs to line up with something specific happening on screen.

1. Expand the audio track's height in the timeline so you can see the volume line clearly.
2. Alt+click (or Cmd+click on Mac) on the volume line at the point where you want the fade to start. This places a keyframe.
3. Move the playhead forward and add a second keyframe at the point where the fade should end.
4. Drag the second keyframe down (for a fade out) or the first one down (for a fade in).
5. Add extra keyframes anywhere on the line to shape a custom fade curve mid-clip.

Best for detailed control, especially when the fade needs to sync with a visual cue or happen partway through a clip rather than at the very start or end.

Method 3: Fade Audio Using the Fairlight Page

Fairlight is DaVinci Resolve's dedicated audio page, and it's where professional sound editing actually happens.

1. Click the Fairlight tab (the music note icon) at the bottom of the interface.
2. Select the track header for the clip you want to adjust.
3. Open Automation and enable volume control.
4. Adjust the fader sliders to build a gradual fade in or out.
5. Layer in EQ, reverb, or dynamic processing if the fade needs more than a volume change to sound right.

Best for professional mixing, especially when you're balancing multiple tracks at once. If you're already comfortable animating fades with control points, the same logic carries over from DaVinci Resolve's keyframe system for visual transitions.

Bonus: Crossfading Between Two Clips

If you're blending two overlapping audio clips rather than fading a single one in or out, use a crossfade instead.

1. Overlap the two clips on the timeline.
2. Click the edit point where they meet so it highlights green, then press Ctrl+T to apply an automatic crossfade. Or, open the Effects Library, go to Audio Transitions, and drag a Crossfade (0dB, +3dB, or -3dB) onto the overlap manually.
3. Drag the edges of the crossfade box to extend or shorten its duration.

Which Method Should You Use?

For most everyday edits, fade handles cover it. Reach for keyframes or Fairlight once your project needs more precision than a drag-and-release can offer, and once you're comfortable with those tools, it's worth exploring DaVinci Resolve's best plugins for noise reduction and mixing tools that pair well with manual fades.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fade audio in DaVinci Resolve?

Select your audio clip in the timeline and hover over the top corner. A small white fade handle appears, drag it inward to fade in or out. Click the fade line to adjust the curve for a smoother transition.

What is the easiest way to fade out audio in DaVinci Resolve?

Fade handles. Click the clip, find the handle on the top-right corner, and drag it inward. No extra setup required.

Can you fade audio using keyframes in DaVinci Resolve?

Yes. Alt+click (Cmd+click on Mac) on the volume line to add a keyframe, then adjust its position to shape the fade. This gives more control than fade handles, especially for fades that need to happen mid-clip.

How do you crossfade audio in DaVinci Resolve?

Overlap two clips on the timeline, then either press Ctrl+T on the edit point for an automatic crossfade, or drag a Crossfade effect from the Audio Transitions section of the Effects Library.

Why is my audio fading out too fast?

The fade handle or keyframe spacing is too tight. Drag the fade handle further inward to extend its duration, or space your keyframes further apart for a slower, more gradual fade.

Once fades feel natural, the next skill worth building is animating other elements with the same logic, our guide on keyframes for animations and transitions covers that in depth. And if you're ready to go beyond individual techniques, Miracamp's DaVinci Resolve Course covers editing, color grading, and audio post-production from the ground up.