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#137 - Every DaVinci Resolve Fairlight Audio Effect Explored

DaVinci Resolve is a big program and it has a lot of native effects.

So many that I gave up trying to write one issue of Cut/daily about them all. Today we'll focus on the incredibly powerful, but often overlooked, Fairlight audio effects.

When it comes to effects in DaVinci Resolve it's important to understand the difference between the Free and Paid (Studio) versions.

(Cue a million YouTube thumbnails of confused faces holding app icons.)

DaVinci Resolve (Free) vs DaVinci Resolve Studio (Paid)

Resolve Studio is only $295 for a lifetime of updates and personally it's well worth it, given the 50+ additional features, including:

  • Up to 120fps at up 32K resolution
  • Support for Multiple GPUs
  • Neural Engine AI (Facial Recognition, Super Scale, Speed Warp, Object Removal, Object Isolation and Tracking)
  • Noise Removal, Motion Blur, Lens Distortion
  • Stereoscopic 3D
  • Remote Grading
  • Scripting and Automation
  • Advanced Delivery: Dolby Atmos Mastering, HDR grading and delivery, DCP Encoding/Decoding, IMF Deliverables, Dolby Vision support

What about Fusion and Color Effects?

There are also a bunch of ResolveFX and OpenFX effects that are not included in the free version but are available in the Studio version.

There no longer seems to be any official comparison list (it likely got too long!) but if you want to you can pick your way through the user manual which does mention whether an effect is Studio only, at certain points.

If you're a reader, the following sections of the DaVinci Resolve 17 User manual will help get you started with every effect on offer:

  • Part 6 - Editing Effects and Transitions (p.821)
  • Part 9 - Fusion Page Effects (p.1618)
  • Part 11 - Color Page Effects (p.2961)
  • Part 12 - Resolve FX Overview (p.3002)
  • Chapter 176 - Fairlight Audio Effects (p.3296)

The rest of this post is for paying subscribers only. When you're ready to learn more, sign up to read this and every other issue of Cut/daily!