Blackmagic Design updates DaVinci Resolve with new Fairlight tools

DaVinci Resolve Update 16.2 enables cost-effective audio post-production simply using the keyboard and mouse.

Blackmagic Design has released version 16.2 of DaVinci Resolve. This is an update to its popular editing, grading, visual effects and audio post-production program that includes important tools in the Fairlight module.

It also has general editing and chromatic correction improvements, and is recommended for all users.

This update offers major improvements to editing in the module timeline Fairlight using mouse and keyboard. This is because the new edit selection mode enables functions that were previously only available through the Fairlight audio console, so editing is much faster from now on.

In addition, this mode allows you to add fades, cuts and even move clips around by clicking the mouse, and with the new resizable waveforms it is possible to zoom without having to adjust the volume. For its part, the export option (bounce) allows you to render a clip with custom audio effects directly from the timeline in the Fairlight module.

Adding multiple clips to the timeline is now easier as it can also be done vertically and not just horizontally, making it easier to add multiple audio tracks at once. Additionally, it is no longer necessary to manually change clips and reimport them, since the multichannel tracks They can become groups linked directly on the timeline. Additionally, an option to edit at frame boundaries is provided, improving the compatibility of exported files for delivery to the film and television industry. This editing mode is very precise, because it allows you to crop at the beginning and end of frames without having to zoom in to see them on the timeline.

On the other hand, the update provides support for modifier keys, so clips can be duplicated using the mouse and keyboard, and even easily copied to different timelines.

Version 16.2 of DaVinci Resolve includes, sound library Blackmagic Fairlight, where searchable by metadata is possible, so users can find effects even if they don't know the file name. The results will show both the name and description, so finding the perfect sound effect is faster and easier than ever.

At the same time, they are automatically sorted, separating them first by category, and then according to the plugins, whether they are native or provided by third parties. Additionally, they can be marked as favorites and will be moved to the top of the list, making them even easier to find.

On the other hand, it offers the possibility of create audio buses to achieve immersive MPEG-H 3D sound, as well as to monitor work dynamics. Additionally, improvements in the behavior of audio distribution and balance make it possible to limit the former.

Also included is a large number of optimizations in the “Registration” panel of the Fairlight module. This works in the same way as in the rest of the modules. This offers a list of all the files used and just click on a clip to locate it on the timeline. Track Recording now allows you to solo, mute, or record, as well as turn visibility control on or off on multiple tracks at the same time by clicking and dragging the mouse across them. This method also allows you to reorganize them, either individually or in groups.

This update also provides improvements when importing and exporting AAF files, so sequences from AAF files can be integrated directly into the timeline in use. On the other hand, if the project is configured with a different timeline, the AAF data can be imported with an offset value to match. AAF files with multiple channels will be recognized as a linked group automatically, and can also be exported in codecs compatible with the waveform. On the other hand, AAF files exported from Fairlight will have audio fades integrated so that they can be detected in other applications.

As for traditional Fairlight users, this update provides relevant improvements when importing old projects. Among them, greater speed is offered when opening jobs with more than 1,000 multimedia files, that is, they will be imported more quickly.

audio mixing

At the same time, this new software optimizes audio mixes, thanks to a new default equalization curve in the clip inspector that allows you to eliminate unwanted frequencies. The filtros FairlightFX include an innovative plug-in that adds a floating meter to each track or bus, so you can monitor audio levels even when the mixer is closed. It also has an LFE filter designed to attenuate higher frequencies when mixing the effects with low ambient frequencies.

For its part, work dynamics have been optimized with immersive sound from a Fairlight audio console, and now includes dedicated controls for its location in space. Clip EQ can now be modified in the inspector from the console. In addition, the copy and paste functions have been optimized, so they carry all attributes, including EQ, automation and gain settings. It is also worth noting that sound engineers have the opportunity to configure their preferred workflow, as well as create and apply their presets for clip equalization. You can even add or customize plugins to provide faster access to the most used tools.

Not only can clip levels be modified relatively, offering the opportunity to adjust the overall gain while respecting existing settings, but they can also be easily reset to 0 dB by removing any previous adjustments. Fades can be quickly deleted directly from the Fairlight audio console, and sound engineers can save their preferred view of the track so they don't have to create it again. However, functions that were previously only available via the keyboard can be accessed using the panel, including layer editing. Which means that the automation curves can also be selected through the external devices.

Continuing with the numerous optimizations in the Fairlight module, the playback controls from the audio console. Scrolling through tracks has been improved and is even possible even if none are selected. Allows direct access to the timecode window located above the timeline from the audio console. Additionally, it not only supports high frame rates, but also values ​​relative to the current position of the head, so the head can move based on where it is located and not on time code.

It is even now possible to use the comma (,) key instead of having to key in 00. The main fader control on the console allows you to place all tracks on a bus so that it is easier to make quick adjustments to the mix. Additionally, the precision of rotary controls on the panel and when using the mouse with modifier keys has been increased. On the other hand, users can change the display mode by selecting the text-only icons or labels on the Fairlight audio console. There is even an option for those who are used to the traditional interface. Scrolling through the timeline is faster, since you can use the left and right arrows to move the head forward or backward.

Editing module

Finally, this update to DaVinci Resolve also provides optimizations in the Editing module, for example, greater speed when loading and switching between timelines, improving its performance when working with numerous audio tracks; or the possibility of creating composite clips from input and output points, so that the people responsible for editing can be more selective with the files they want to use in said module. Additionally, it provides support for previewing the audio timeline when performing image overwrite editing. On the other hand, trimming the duration will be reflected in real time in that of the clip, so users can determine a specific time. It also has a window to change the duration of a transition.

He panel multimedia now allows metadata to be entered into audio files containing up to 24 embedded channels. On the other hand, it is possible to duplicate clips and timelines in the same tray using the key combination to copy and paste, respectively.

Collaborative workflows in the Color module now offer greater stability. Additionally, by activating dual screen mode, it is possible to view the main screen as a window.

Los smart filters They provide the opportunity to organize files based on metadata, such as keywords or people, to make searching faster.

Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design, We are very happy with this release as it includes many features for audio post-production. All of these new features allow complex audio adjustments to be made on the Fairlight module, using just a mouse and keyboard. Consequently, more users will be able to add professional sound quality to their projects, since DaVinci Resolve has a free version. It's really incredible."

DaVinci Resolve version 16.2 can be downloaded for free from the site web de Blackmagic Design.

Main features

• Improvements to timeline editing in the Fairlight module.
• Improvements to the Blackmagic Fairlight sound library.
• New automatic arrangement feature for effects and plugins.
• Improvements in buses and 3D immersive sound monitoring.
• Optimizations in track registration for audio editing in the Fairlight module.
• Improvements when importing and exporting AAF files.
• Improvements when importing old Fairlight projects.
• Various optimizations in the audio mix and FairlightFX filters.
• Major improvements to the Fairlight console audio editor.
• Better playback controls in the Fairligh console audio editor.
• New editing features for loading and toggling timelines.
• Multimedia panel with faster copy and paste functions.
• New grading features, such as smart filters.
• Better support for new file formats.