Apr
Since version 14 of Da Vinci Resolvea new tab for editing, post-production and sound mixing is available within it: Fairlight. In itself it is a complete and unrestricted program to set up a DAW(Digital Audio Workstation) if accompanied by an external sound card or a mixer/controller.
Available in both the ‘lite’ and ‘Studio’ versions, it is undoubtedly the best free, cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac) and multi-track option for sound editing and post-production in professional audiovisual production environments. Other alternative programs such as Reaper or Pro Tools First, offer less professional paid solutions or scenarios with a higher learning curve outside the video environment and forced to be connected to the Internet with a validated user, respectively.
Its great competitive advantage is obvious: integrated within Da Vinci, it offers interaction between the video and audio editing and color correction tabs. No need for exports or intermediate conforming steps. In other words, what is edited in the Da Vinci tab is immediately reflected in the Fairlight interface and vice versa. Just by avoiding the preparation of an exclusive session for the export of OMF/AAF/XML files for the sound engineer and forgetting the need for a special render with the video format requested, it is already a competitive advantage to be taken into account.
Without an external accelerator card, Fairlight can work in mixing environments up to 7.1 formats and with this interface up to 22.2. In other words, it is prepared for current multichannel sound formats and even with immersive sound capabilities(Dolby Atmos and DTS X). And with a number of tracks/buses more than sufficient for complex work sessions (up to 1,000 tracks with the accelerator card).
Its mixer is very similar to any of today’s most powerful solutions( Steinberg’sNuendo or AVID’s Pro Tools ), although certain capabilities are missing, such as the ability to clone FX/inserts from one channel to another or to change the size and layout of the vumeters, which are immobile in a tab and very small in size (especially in 5.1 or higher environments).
Working with external VST plugins is optimal and works on both clips and tracks (simultaneously and up to 6 FX in each place). It still has some limitations: it only works with VST v2 and 64-bit architecture. And the reality is that in the tested versions (Resolve v14.1 and .2) VSTs behave better in the Studio version.
The equalization and dynamics section offers very effective solutions with the usual predefined filters for audiovisual production (compressors, expanders, noise gates, high and low pass filters, etc.); sends to effects and auxiliary channels in any mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1, LFE(low frequency effect) channel, etc. format.
In summary, we can say that Fairlight (and its constant updates and improvements) is currently the most powerful free professional option on the market for professional sound editing.
Sergio Marquez
