How to Add Audio Effects in DaVinci Resolve – Fairlight in DaVinci Resolve
Perfect cinematic echo, that sweet reverb on a ‘boink’ sound added in post-productions, or that epic score that adds to the drama — Fairlight in DaVinci Resolve makes these, and many more upgrades not only possible but intuitive and fun.
So, let’s get to it!
Summary
Access the Effects Library
Start by opening Fairlight in DaVinci Resolve and proceed to the Effects Library, located at the top left of the workspace. This panel displays a list of available effects on the left and a Mixer on the right. The Mixer is particularly valuable as it lets you monitor and adjust the volume levels of all your channels, as well as manage their effects simultaneously.
Add an Effect to a Track
To add an effect, choose the desired effect from the library and drag it to the ‘Effects’ box in the Mixer corresponding to the correct channel, such as ‘Audio 1’.
Configure Effects
For this example, let’s say you want to add some chorus to your audio track. Dragging the chorus effect into the Effects box will automatically open the effect’s control window. DaVinci Resolve’s Chorus effect includes multiple settings for precise control, but also offers presets for ease of use. If you’re aiming for subtle ambiance, you might choose the ‘Mellow Chorus’ preset to avoid overwhelming the viewers.
Preview
After applying the effect, simply press play to hear the effect in action. If you need to layer more effects onto the same track, continue dragging them, and they will keep showing in the Effects box of the Inspector. They will line up in a list, and the order can sometimes be crucial — for instance, you might need to de-hum before applying EQ.
How to remove audio effects in DaVinci Resolve
If for any reason you don’t like the effect, and undo is not an option, you can always click a trash icon next to the effect in question. You will be able to find it in the Effects box of the Inspector.
Add Audio Transitions
Similar to video transitions, audio transitions can be added to fade sounds in or out. This is especially useful for intros or outros in your projects. To access these, click on ‘Audio Transitions’ near the Effects Library. To apply, select the desired transition, right-click it, and choose ‘Add to Selected Edit Points and Clips’.