how to record audio on davinci resolve

3 min read 24-01-2025

DaVinci Resolve, a powerful video editing suite, also offers robust audio recording capabilities. Whether you need to capture voiceovers, sound effects, or music, this guide will walk you through the process. We'll cover different methods and settings to help you achieve professional-quality audio recordings.

Setting Up Your Audio Interface

Before diving into recording, ensure you have the correct hardware set up. A dedicated audio interface provides superior sound quality compared to your computer's built-in microphone.

Connect your interface: Plug your audio interface into your computer via USB or Thunderbolt.
Connect your microphone: Connect your microphone to your audio interface.
Install drivers: Install the necessary drivers for your audio interface. This is crucial for proper recognition within DaVinci Resolve.
Monitor your audio: Ensure your audio interface is correctly configured to monitor audio input. This allows you to hear what you are recording in real-time.

Recording Audio in DaVinci Resolve's Fairlight Page

DaVinci Resolve's Fairlight audio page is a fully-featured digital audio workstation (DAW). This section covers how to utilize it for audio recording.

1. Accessing the Fairlight Page

Navigate to the Fairlight page by clicking on the Fairlight icon at the top of the DaVinci Resolve interface.

2. Setting Up Your Input

Select your input device: In the Fairlight page, look for the "Input" settings. Choose your audio interface and the specific input channel connected to your microphone. If you have multiple inputs, make sure you select the correct one.
Adjust input levels: Use the input level meter to ensure your audio signal isn't clipping (distorting). Aim for a healthy signal level, avoiding peaks that hit 0dBFS.

3. Recording Your Audio

Arm the track: Select the audio track where you want to record your audio. Make sure it is armed for recording (usually indicated by a red "R" or similar symbol).
Hit record: Click the record button to begin recording.
Monitor your levels: Keep an eye on the input levels during recording to prevent clipping.
Stop recording: Click the stop button when you're finished recording.

4. Editing and Processing Your Audio

Once recorded, you can edit and process your audio using Fairlight's extensive tools. This includes:

Trimming: Removing unwanted sections of your audio.
Volume adjustment: Adjusting the overall volume of your audio.
EQ: Adjusting the tonal balance of your audio.
Compression: Reducing the dynamic range of your audio.
Reverb/Delay: Adding effects like reverb and delay.

Troubleshooting Common Recording Issues

No audio input: Double-check your audio interface connections, drivers, and input selection within DaVinci Resolve.
Low audio levels: Increase the input gain on your audio interface and/or microphone preamp.
Clipping: Reduce the input gain to prevent your audio from clipping.
Noise: Use a noise gate or other noise reduction plugins to minimize background noise.
Latency: Adjust your audio buffer size in your audio interface settings to minimize latency (delay).

Alternative Recording Methods

While Fairlight is ideal for professional audio recording and manipulation, consider these alternatives for simpler tasks:

Using External Recording Devices: You can record audio separately using a dedicated recorder and then import the audio file into DaVinci Resolve. This workflow offers a cleaner recording process, especially for multi-track projects.
System Preferences Audio: As a last resort, you can use your operating system's default audio recording settings. However, this approach provides less control over audio levels and often lacks the advanced features found in Fairlight.

Conclusion

Recording audio in DaVinci Resolve is a straightforward process once you understand the fundamentals. By following the steps outlined above, and using the right equipment, you can capture professional-quality audio for your projects. Remember to experiment with the different settings and tools to find the workflow that best suits your needs. Happy recording!