Record Audio in DaVinci Resolve in 3 Easy Steps

How to Record Audio in DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software, but did you know it also has robust audio recording capabilities? With a built-in audio editing workstation called Fairlight, you don't need to use another piece of software just for audio. This feature is perfect for recording simple audio or voiceovers. Let's dive into the process of recording audio in DaVinci Resolve.

What You Need to Record Audio in DaVinci Resolve

Before we start, let's make sure you have everything you need. First and foremost, you'll need a microphone. If you don't already own one, 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. Of course, you'll also need DaVinci Resolve installed on your computer.

Creating an Audio Track

Start by navigating to the audio editing workstation by selecting the Fairlight tab 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 select Add Track > Mono. If you have a stereo microphone, select Stereo instead. 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.

Selecting 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 audio Mixer panel 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 mic Input to the audio track you created in the previous step. Find the track number in the Mixer (e.g. A2), then click on the input slot that says "No Input" and select Input from the menu. The Patch Input/Output window will then appear, and you will see audio input options listed under Source on the left-hand side, and a list of audio tracks on the right under Destination. Look for the name of your microphone under Source and make sure that it is selected. In this example, we selected the Built-in Microphone from our computer. Make sure to press the Patch button, then close the window.

Arming the Track for Recording

Before hitting the record button, you first need to arm the track for recording. You can do this by pressing the R button 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. If your microphone doesn't appear to be working at this stage, see our tips for troubleshooting at the end of the article.

Recording 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 the Record button in the playback controls. To stop the recording, press the spacebar on your keyboard. Check out our handy tips for achieving studio-quality vocals at home to help improve your recordings. It's not uncommon for professionals to work from home nowadays, so a few extra DIY hacks to improve your home studio will also help.

Recording 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 can view these layers by going to View > 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.

Exporting Your Video

Once you are finished recording your audio or voiceover you can export your video as usual by moving over to the Deliver tab at the bottom of the screen. To the left of the screen are the export settings. Here you can click on the Audio button to change the audio export settings. Make sure that the Export Audio checkbox 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. If you're having trouble, I'd suggest checking your microphone connection and ensuring that it's selected as the input source in DaVinci Resolve. If you're still having issues, it might be worth looking into how to change audio output in DaVinci Resolve.

FAQ

Can you record audio in DaVinci Resolve 17?

Absolutely! DaVinci Resolve 17 comes with a built-in audio editing workstation called Fairlight that allows you to record audio directly into the software. This feature is perfect for recording simple audio or voiceovers, making it a one-stop-shop for both video and audio production.

How do I record directly into DaVinci?

Recording directly into DaVinci Resolve is a breeze. Start by navigating to the Fairlight tab and create a new audio track. Once you've set up your microphone and connected it to your computer, you'll need to add a mic Input to the audio track you created. After that, arm the track for recording by pressing the R button on the track header. Now, you're all set to hit record. Just move the red playhead to where you want to start the recording, then press the Record button in the playback controls.

How do I use the microphone on my DaVinci Resolve?

To use your microphone with DaVinci Resolve, first, make sure it's connected to your computer. Then, in DaVinci Resolve, go to the Fairlight tab and create a new audio track. In the mixer, find the track number (e.g., A2), click on the input slot that says "No Input," and select Input from the menu. Look for the name of your microphone under Source and make sure that it is selected. Now, your microphone is ready to use.

How do I connect audio to DaVinci Resolve?

Connecting audio to DaVinci Resolve involves setting up your microphone and making sure it's connected to your computer. Once that's done, you'll need to add a mic Input to the audio track you created in DaVinci Resolve. You can do this in the Mixer panel, where there's a channel strip for each audio track in your session. Find the track number, click on the input slot that says "No Input," and select Input from the menu. Then, look for the name of your microphone under Source and make sure that it is selected.

Why does DaVinci Resolve not show audio?

If DaVinci Resolve is not showing audio, there could be a few reasons. First, check to make sure your microphone is connected properly and that it's selected as the input source in DaVinci Resolve. If everything seems to be in order but you're still having issues, it might be worth looking into how to change audio output in DaVinci Resolve. Remember, troubleshooting is part of the process, so don't get discouraged. You'll have your audio up and running in no time!