Audio & Effects

Adding New Tracks

1. Right-click anywhere in the timeline track headers and choose Add Tracks.

2. In the Add Tracks dialog, set the number of video tracks to 0 and the number of audio tracks to 2. Ensure the Insert Position for the new audio tracks is set to Below Audio 1 and leave the Track Type at Stereo. Click Add Tracks.

Adjusting Track Heights and View

3. Move your mouse over the track divider between the video and audio tracks. When it changes to a resize indicator, click and drag upward to see more of the audio tracks.

4. Click the timeline view options menu on the left side of the timeline toolbar. Use the Track height sliders to resize the video and audio tracks and adjust the track divider as appropriate.

5. Click the Full Extent Zoom button to ensure that you’re seeing the entire timeline.

Naming the Tracks

6. In the track headers, click on the name for Audio 1 to highlight it and type DIALOGUE to rename the track.

7. Repeat the previous step for Audio 2, renaming it to VO (voiceover).

8. Rename Audio 3 to SFX (sound effects).

9. Rename Audio 4 to MUSIC.

Editing the Voiceover

1. In the media pool, click the disclosure triangle for the AUDIO CLIPS bin and select the VO bin.

2. Open the first clip, HF VO 1.wav, in the source viewer and play back the clip to listen to it.

3. Set an In point at the start of the waveform just before the narrator says, “In the age of airplanes…” and set an Out point at the end of the waveform where he says “… once again.”

4. In the timeline toolbar, click the Snapping button to disable it.

5. Click and drag the audio clip from the source viewer into the timeline between the first two clips on the DIALOGUE audio track, but on the VO track. Play back to hear the narration.

6. Press N to re-enable Snapping for the timeline and position the timeline playhead at the start of the Kenya clip.

7. From the VO bin in the media pool, open the HF VO 2.wav clip in the source viewer and play it.

8. In the source viewer, mark In and Out points around where the narrator says “…leave behind everything you know about airplanes….”

9. In the timeline track controls, drag the red-outlined A1 control down to the VO track (A2).

10. Drag the clip from the source viewer to the timeline viewer for an Overwrite edit or click the Overwrite Clip button in the timeline.

11. In the source viewer, set In and Out points around the last line of voiceover where the narrator says “…and prepare to see them again – for the first time.”

12. Click the Overwrite Clip button in the timeline toolbar or press F10, then play this section of the timeline with the new voiceover added.

Editing the Sound Effects

1. In the track header, click the A3 track destination selection to move the red-outlined A1 button to the SFX Track.

2. In the timeline, select the second clip 02 A380 TAXI.mov and choose Mark > Mark Selection or press Shift-A.

3. From the Sound Effects bin, open the SFX 01 Jet Taxi.wav clip in the source viewer.

4. In the source viewer, type +100 and press Return (Enter) and press I to add an In point 1 second from the start of the clip.

5. Click the Overwrite Clip button in the timeline toolbar or press F10.

6. Repeat steps 2-5 for the following:

   • Select 04 SOUTH POLE.mov clip and press Shift-A. Open SFX 02 Prop.wav in the source viewer, set an In point, and make an Overwrite edit.

   • Select 08 AERIAL ALASKA.mov clip and press Shift-A. Open SFX 03 Distant Prop.wav in the source viewer, set an In point, and make an Overwrite edit.

   • Select Kenya clip and press Shift-A. Open SFX 04 Light Wind.aiff in the source viewer, set an In point, and make an Overwrite edit.

Backtimed Edits

1. Select the third clip in the timeline 01 A380 TAKEOFF.mov and press Shift-A.

2. Open SFX 05 Jet takeoff.wav in the source viewer, play through the clip until the sound of the jet starts to fade away, and press O to add an Out point.

3. Make an Overwrite edit.

4. Select the 05 ST MAARTEN.mov clip in the timeline and press Shift-A.

5. Make an Overwrite edit.

Syncing Sound to Action Using Replace Edit

1. Move the timeline playhead over the clip 03_MALDIVES.mov just before you see the wings come into the shot in the timeline viewer.

2. Open SFX 06 Overhead.wav in the source viewer, position the playhead over the highest point of the waveform.

3. Drag the audio clip from the source viewer to the Replace option in the timeline viewer overlay.

4. Press / (forward slash) to preview the results of this edit.

Now you have successfully added the voiceover and sound effects, bringing more life to your timeline.

Balancing your soundtrack is crucial to ensuring that your video is engaging and that no audio elements overpower each other. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mixing your audio tracks in DaVinci Resolve.

Opening and Adjusting the Mixer:

1. Open the Mixer:

   • Click the Mixer button in the upper-right corner of the interface.

   • Resize the audio mixer by dragging its left side so you can see all track controls.

2. Playback and Monitor Levels:

   • Return the playhead to the beginning of the timeline and play back the sequence, watching the track meters in the mixer.

Reading the Audio Meters:

• Clipping Level: Audio levels above 0 dBFS are clipped and will sound distorted.

• Dialogue Target: Dialogue should average around -12 dBFS and remain in the yellow area.

• Sound Effects Target: Sound effects should fall between -10 and -30 dBFS.

• Music Target: Music tracks should be set between -20 and -30 dBFS.

Setting Dialogue Levels:

1. Solo Dialogue Tracks:

   • Click the Solo buttons for the Dialogue and VO tracks in the audio track headers.

2. Normalize Audio Levels:

   • Select all clips on the Dialogue and VO tracks.

   • Right-click any selected clip and choose Normalize Audio Levels.

   • Set the Normalization Mode to Sample Peak Program, the Target Level to -9 dBFS, and ensure Set Level is set to Independent. Click Normalize.

3. Fine-Tuning Individual Clips:

   • Adjust individual clip volumes if necessary. Zoom into specific clips and drag the volume overlay to adjust levels to a consistent average of -12 dBFS.

Mixing the Sound Effects:

1. Solo the SFX Track:

   • Solo the SFX track along with the dialogue tracks.

2. Adjust Track Level:

   • Lower the SFX track slider in the mixer by about -12 dB to keep levels between -20 dBFS and -30 dBFS.

3. Adjust Individual Clips:

   • Increase the level of specific clips (e.g., SFX 03 Distant prop.wav by 2 dB, SFX 04 Light Wind.wav by 4 dB) to ensure consistency.

4. Apply Fades:

   • Use fade handles to fade clips in and out smoothly. Drag the fade handle at the start or end of a clip to create a fade effect.

5. Add Audio Transitions:

   • Use Cross Fade 0db transitions between clips on the SFX track for smooth transitions between sounds.

Finishing the Mix:

1. Include All Tracks:

   • Shift-click the Solo button on any soloed track to make all tracks active.

2. Adjust Music Levels:

   • Play the timeline to see how the music integrates with other audio. Adjust the clip or track level as necessary.

3. Add Keyframes for Dynamic Changes:

   • Add keyframes to the volume overlay for dynamic changes in the music track. Increase the volume for dramatic effects, especially towards the end of the edit.

4. Final Review:

   • Play the entire timeline and make any final adjustments to ensure a balanced mix.

5. Close the Mixer:

   • Once satisfied with the mix, click the Mixer button to close the mixer.

By following these steps, you can create a balanced and engaging audio mix for your video project in DaVinci Resolve.

Replacing shots is a common task in video editing, allowing you to swap out less effective footage for better alternatives without disrupting the overall timing and structure of your edit. Here's how to do it in DaVinci Resolve:

1. Position the Playhead:

   • Move the timeline playhead to the start of the 04 SOUTH POLE clip.

   • Evaluate the clip and decide if you want to replace it with a more dynamic shot.

2. Open Media Pool:

   • If the media pool is closed, click the Media Pool button in the top left of the interface to reopen it.

   • Select the B-Roll smart bin.

3. Select Replacement Clip:

   • Open the 09 LAKE TAXI.mov clip in the source viewer.

   • Locate a frame in the source viewer where the plane enters the sunlit part of the lake.

4. Replace the Clip:

   • Click the Replace Clip button in the timeline toolbar to replace the clip in the timeline.

   • The frames in the source and timeline viewer will now be identical.

5. Note: The Replace edit uses the source and timeline playhead locations to complete the edit. It ignores any In or Out points placed in the source clip but will use In and Out points in the timeline.

6. More Sophisticated Replacement:

   • Move the playhead over the last clip before the credits, 05 ST MAARTEN.mov.

   • Refine the playhead position within this clip so that the jet engines of the plane are centered in the frame.

7. Find Original Clip:

   • Right-click the clip in the timeline and choose Find In Media Pool.

   • The media pool will open with the original source clip selected.

8. Select New Source Clip:

   • In the media pool, find the next sequentially named clip, 06 ST MAARTEN 2.mov, and open it in the source viewer.

   • Position the playhead at a frame in the source viewer that closely matches the frame shown in the timeline viewer.

9. Replace with the New Clip:

   • Click the Replace Clip button in the timeline toolbar or press F11.

   • Play the timeline to review the change.

By following these steps, you can efficiently replace shots in your timeline, enhancing the overall quality and storytelling of your video project in DaVinci Resolve.

Transitions can be a powerful tool in your editing workflow, but they should be used thoughtfully to enhance the storytelling. Here's how to add and adjust transitions in DaVinci Resolve:

1. Position the Playhead:

   • Move the timeline playhead to the edit point between 01 A380 TAKEOFF.mov and 03 MALDIVES.mov.

   • Click Detail Zoom in the timeline toolbar for a closer view.

2. Open Effects Library:

   • Click the Effects button to open the Effects Library.

   • Choose the Video Transitions category.

3. Note: Transitions, like clips and filters, can be live previewed.

4. Add a Transition:

   • From the Wipe transitions category, select Edge Wipe and drag it to the edit point between 01 A380 TAKEOFF.mov and 03 MALDIVES.mov.

   • Play back the transition to see the results.

5. Adjust Transition Settings:

   • The transition will use default settings to wipe up from the bottom of the screen.

   • Select the transition in the timeline, and in the Inspector, change the Duration to 12 frames and the Angle to about -80.

   • Check the Feather box and increase the border to around 100.

6. Preview the Transition:

   • Press / (forward slash) to preview the selected transition.

Tip: To change the standard transition, right-click another transition in the Effects Library and choose Set as Standard Transition.

6. Add Standard Transition to Multiple Edit Points:

   • In the timeline, Command-click (macOS) or Ctrl-click (Windows) the three edit points between 09 LAKE TAXI.mov, 08 AERIAL ALASKA.mov, 07 KENYA.mov, and 06 ST MAARTEN 2.mov.

   • Notice the red handle on the incoming side of the 09 LAKE TAXI.mov and 14 AERIAL ALASKA.mov edit, indicating insufficient handles.

7. Adjust Clips for Handles:

   • Choose Timeline > Add Video Only Transition. A warning will appear if clips lack sufficient handles.

   • Click Cancel.

   • Click the Trim Edit mode button in the timeline toolbar, or press T.

   • Slip the 08 AERIAL ALASKA.mov clip backward by at least a second (-01:00 in the tooltip) to create handles.

8. Apply Transitions:

   • Command-click (macOS) or Ctrl-click (Windows) each of the edit points between 09 LAKE TAXI.mov, 08 AERIAL ALASKA.mov, 07 KENYA.mov, and 12 ST MAARTEN 2.mov to reselect them.

   • Choose Timeline > Add Video Only Transition or press Option-T (macOS) or Alt-T (Windows) to apply the current standard transition.

Tip: To change the duration of multiple transitions, Command-click (macOS) or Ctrl-click (Windows) each transition in the timeline and press Command-D (macOS) or Ctrl-D (Windows) to open the Change Transition Duration window.

By following these steps, you can effectively add and adjust transitions to enhance the flow and visual appeal of your video project in DaVinci Resolve.

To enhance the look of your video clip or the sound of an audio clip, you can apply various filters in DaVinci Resolve. Here's how you can add and adjust a vignette effect to a clip and then copy the effect to another clip:

1. Position the Playhead:

   • Move the playhead over the first clip in the timeline and select the clip.

2. Open FX Filters:

   • In the Effects Library, select the Open FX Filters category.

   • Scroll down to the Resolve FX Stylize group.

   • Select the Vignette filter and drag it to the selected clip in the timeline.

3. Tip: You can also double-click a filter to apply it to the selected timeline clip(s).

4. Adjust Vignette Effect:

   • Click the Effects tab in the Inspector to reveal the Vignette effect controls.

   • Change the Softness value to 0.0 to better see the shape of the vignette.

   • Decrease the Anamorphism to around 0.6 and increase the Size value to about 1.4.

5. Tip: The Size slider only allows you to adjust the value to a maximum of 1. To increase it further, click and drag in the value field, or select the field and type in the desired value.

   • Increase the Softness back up to about 0.4.

   • Change the Operating Mode to Advanced and adjust the Center X value to about 0.56 to move the center of the vignette more over Brian’s face, subtly drawing the viewer’s attention toward him.

6. Copy and Paste the Effect:

   • With the first clip still selected, choose Edit > Copy or press Command-C (macOS) or Ctrl-C (Windows).

   • Scroll through the timeline to find the next clip of Brian. Click the timecode bar to move the playhead over this clip and select the clip in the timeline.

   • Choose Edit > Paste Attributes or press Option-V (macOS) or Alt-V (Windows).

7. The Paste Attributes window appears, allowing you to choose which attributes to paste from INTERVIEW 01.mov to INTERVIEW 02.mov.

8. Select Attributes to Paste:

   • Select Plugins and click Apply.

9. The effects applied to the copied clip are now pasted to the selected clip with the same settings.

10. Refine the Effect:

    • Use the controls in the Effects tab of the Inspector to further refine the effect for the new clip if necessary.

Note: If you are using the free version of DaVinci Resolve, you might encounter filters that show the DaVinci Resolve Studio watermark. These filters are fully available only in the paid version. The watermark will disappear if you open the project in DaVinci Resolve Studio.

By following these steps, you can effectively add and customize filters to enhance your video clips in DaVinci Resolve.

The final step for this edit is to add a title to identify Brian and the different locations featured in the film. Follow these steps to add and customize Fusion titles:

1. Position the Playhead:

   • Click the Full Extent Zoom button.

   • Move your playhead to the beginning of the timeline.

2. Open the Effects Library:

   • In the Effects Library, select the Titles category.

   • Browse the list of title generators and Fusion title templates.

3. Tip: Hover over any title template to live preview it.

4. Select a Fusion Title:

   • From the list of Fusion titles, select the template called Simple Underline Lower Third.

   • Drag the title to the timeline and place it above the interview clip on a new track.

5. Adjust Title Text:

   • Place the playhead over the title and select the title clip in the timeline to reveal the controls in the Inspector.

6. Tip: Double-click a title in the edit page to automatically open the Inspector and adjust the controls.

7. Edit the Text:

   • Highlight the “SAMPLE TITLE” text in the text box and type BRIAN J. TERWILLIGER.

   • Adjust the tracking value to about 1.03 to reduce the spacing between the letters.

8. Tip: To reset any Fusion title parameters to their defaults, click the small gray dot below the slider. To reset the entire template, click Reset next to the title’s name at the top of the Inspector.

9. Customize Line Controls:

   • Scroll to the bottom of the Inspector to the Line Controls section.

   • Change the Type pop-up menu to Horizontal.

   • Change the color of the left side of the line to a bright shade of yellow.

   • Change the color of the right side of the line to a warm orange.

10. Trim the Title:

    • In the timeline, trim the end of the title to match the end of the first clip on V1.

11. Copy and Reuse the Title:

    • Select the title clip in the timeline and choose Edit > Copy or press Command-C (macOS) or Ctrl-C (Windows).

    • Move the playhead to the start of the 03 MALDIVES.mov clip and choose Edit > Paste or press Command-V (macOS) or Ctrl-V (Windows).

    • A copy of the title is pasted over the 03 MALDIVES.mov clip.

12. Note: Resolve pastes a clip back into the same track it was copied from by default.

13. Trim and Edit the Pasted Title:

    • Trim the end of the title to match the end of the 03 MALDIVES.mov clip.

    • Select the title and change the text in the text box to MALDIVES.

14. Repeat for Other Clips:

    • Repeat the steps to paste additional copies of the title over the 09 LAKE TAXI.mov and 08 AERIAL ALASKA.mov clips, changing the text to ALASKA.

    • Paste another copy over the 07 KENYA.mov clip, changing the text to KENYA.

15. Tip: Drag a copy of the title from the timeline to the media pool to save it for later use in the current project.

16. Import Finished Timeline:

    • To import a finished version of this timeline, select the TIMELINES bin and choose File > Import > Timeline.

    • Navigate to R18 Beginner Guide Lessons / Lesson 02 / Timelines / Age of Airplanes FINISHED.drt and click Open.

By following these steps, you can add and customize Fusion titles, making your project look professional and informative.