4 years have passed since the release of this video and it's still probably the most worthwhile & concise 13 minutes of improving dialogue audio in existance.

I'm just gonna repeat what lots of other people have said already: I love how you explained everything in detail. People in other videos are like "just set the threshold like this and the ratio like that and you're good to go". BUT I WANNA KNOW WHY AND HOW! Well now I know, so thank you!

i was seriously struggling to follow because im working with davinci 18.5, and i had no idea why the settings weren't affecting the audio until i realized i had to turn on the dynamics and it worked like magic and sounds amazing! thanks for the help!

Thanks man, I've watched a dozen compressor tutorials and still didn't get it until you explained it.

With all these analogies between sound and video equivalents of terminology used, and clear explanation of what the terms mean, I finally understand why a particular filter in Photoshop is called a High Pass Filter after all these years! A lot of tutorials can demonstrate how to use a High Pass Filter in Photoshop, but few seem to know what's happening under the hood or even know why it's called that in the first place! Furthermore, you've demystified some of those EQ and Compressor knobs for me even though you didn't go into a lot of detail. Other tutorials often just tell you to press this and tweak that to achieve a result without helping you understand what or why you're doing it. Subscribed 😊

Finally, compressor understood! Thank you.

This explanation on everything was awesome, a lot of other people just said how they edited it, no explanation at all. With your video, we can actually use the information. Great job!

People are often confused by compression. The way I was taught when I started engineering in the 70s was: "A system that decreases the audio output as the audio input increases, and increases the audio output as the audio input decreases." So, it squashes it! However, audio compression is not and never has been a tool to correct problems with dynamic range. That is done (in the old days) by riding the fader to balance the audio track (eg, a voice over or vox pop), or in modern times, editing by cutting and changing level of segments, or programming in gradual changes using automation (which is like riding the channel, but with help). Once that is done, only then is compression added to make the audio better. So, your first approach by cutting to sort out the initial audio difference is the correct one, and that approach should be taken with everything. At the same time, you can lower the levels of any aggressive breaths since later compression will bring those up even more. Lower them a lot. I It will make later compression more transparent. Part of the reason for sorting out level problems first is that any production must aim at a certain "loudness" depending on the output (TV station, Netflix, KZfaq, all have their own loudness criteria.) You are much more likely to hit that criteria if you are not using compression to "iron out" your audio.

Honestly this video is so useful.

Hands down the best explanation of compression I've ever heard. And I've had an audio engineer sit down with me and try to explain it face to face!

Thank you for actually explaining WHY you are doing what you are doing. All other tutorials just tell you to copy them and give no explanation as to what is happening to the tracks fundamentally (they probably don't understand well enough for themselves). That's not learning by understanding… it's just copying. Thank you for truly understanding what you are teaching.

Wow with sound being very important this is very simple but very helpful, thank you!

Great detail and clarity. I would have benefited from more playback of the dialog with the various compressor settings to dual my ears in of what to expect. I did indeed know what to do and I've done it!

Excellent tutorial - especially regarding the compressor settings and why.

Thank you for making this video! Your explaination helped me so much in understanding why and how the compressor actually works

It's amazing how good you are at instructions, really hope you can keep up the marathon that is KZfaq.

This was really great. If you get a chance perhaps you could do a video with different audio footage showing how you treated each since as we you said the values are not always the same. People generally learn from examples.

This was just the video I was looking for to improve my YT video audio. Thanks.

This was really great. Your compressor explanation was brilliant! Thanks 🙏👏

This is probably the best audio tutorial I have ever seen. I love you!

I didn't need to be convinced, but the point you made at the beginning (and the delivery of the screwed up audio) was flawless. Well done, sir!

Well presented. As a beginner, I was able to follow your presentation.

This is an outstanding Audio 101 tutorial. No long stories... no rambling. Very direct, logical and spot on. The instructional component is fantastic. Again -- a wonderful job. Should be required viewing for anyone who want to be serious about audio.

Best Da Vinci 'how to' clip I've ever watched so far in the youtube universe. As per everyone else's comments, the 'why' is just as important as the 'how' and you explain it perfectly, thank you!

I think you just saved my life... but seriously, I've been working on a few projects and running into constant issues with audio. Everywhere I looked so far offered no help at all. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!

Excellent tutorial. Your dialogue is crystal clear in tone, pace & content! I'm new to video editing & have some knowledge of music recording. Off to watch, & listen to another of your videos... . Thank you.

You explained a very complex topic in a way that makes sense and not so daunting. Thank you so much for taking the time to do that.

How does this dude only have 3.9 subscribers! Really good video and gonna hit the sub button even though it seems like your last vid came out 8-months ago. KZfaq can be so disheartening but know we are grateful for all the hard work you put in. Thank you.

Very straight and detailed explanation. Does not prescribe you a "recipe" but shows you a way. Thanks so much. Cheers!

Very nice explanation. Thank you. I will look and see if you have added additional videos, since time has passed.

I know that this is an old video but this is still so relevant. This is a great and clear explanation of audio 101 and how to properly apply it to your video. Compression is a hard thing to get right but when you hit the sweet spot it just makes your audio pop out!

One of the best audio tutorials I have ever watched. Thank you!

Amazing video. Super clear and useful and I would say the perfect starting point for video editors and even novice sound engineers. I've seen countless videos on audio compression and this is by far the best one.

The best tutorial on this subject, thanks! I like that you explained the science behind everything

Thank you, I needed this. Just a bit more time to explain which buttons do what is what I missed in other tutorials. So keep it up!

I think that if we want to learn WHAT we need to do when adjusting film- and audioclips we need more tutorials like this one - many more. Thanks a lot!

This is the best explaination of compression I've come across on youtube. Great tutorial. Subscribed!

Lovely! I think I now understand the principles and the starting point which takes some fog away from all the settings. It was a very easy decision to subscribe.

David, this is a great tutorial for all beginners who want to use DaVinci effectively on daily basis! Superb job! Thank you!

Super great video makes excited to learn more and get started! Love the "stay organized" motto !!

This is the clearest video I’ve seen about EQ and compression. Visual and Audio comparisons helped a lot. Thanks!!

Thank you so much for this explanation! I have never really touched the audio settings in Da Vinci other than to blanket raise or lower the gain. This has opened a whole new door for me! You've got a new subscriber in me!

I'm not an opera singer, but I'm baritone, as many other people, and the main issue with your recommendation to filter out the low frecuencies below 100 Hz and even higher is that you remove all the rich harmonics of the voice that make it sound unique. I wouldn't advise to take out so lightly those frecuencies, except if you are dealing with a very high-pitched tenor voice (I don't mean an opera singer, because we all are tenors, baritones, sopranos when using our vocal range) or a woman (as it is the case in the video, by the way). The narrator's voice is a tenor's as well... 😉

I love the way you explain things.

OMG This breakdown is exactly what I have been looking for for months now! That was extremely helpful and now I can start to understand how sound editing works in dvr.

Very, very helpful. I learned so much. Thank you

Hands down, my favorite feature is being able to use my VSTs I use in Reaper. Makes life easier when I'm able to use familiar tools vs learning new ones.

This was clear and very descriptive thank you

Great tutorial! Would love to see more from you, David!

I've been using compressors randomly as long as it s sounded good in the end but having a clear approach gives me real control. Thank you so much for the easy-to-understand tutorial.

Amazing. Resolve should be paying you.

Thanks Buddy, that was epic. I may have to hire you one day when I am making Hollywood level films. You know your stuff. 70% of a film is its music, sound design and enjoyment of the audio. It needs to be exciting and suspenseful and all things that the visuals are protraying, for if you watch a suspense film with the audio off, it is not suspenseful at all.

Thanks for the actual explaination!

This is one of the best tutorials ever! I love how you explained why you make the changes you do! Excellent! Thank you for this.

Seriously considering creating a new account to give the video a second thumbs up! Great vid!

Excellent explanation! You went into some audio engineering concepts in a way that should help lots of people understand it better. THANKS!

Finally an explanation that I can understand! Thank you for not spinning off into lots of jargon like so many others do. Clean, precise, and simple!

Woah thanks a lot for this great tutorial

You explain that very good. Thank you for that nice Tutorial!

Thanks for the very detailed and useful explanation ❤

David: You make my Day, a BIG thanks

Too bad that you stop make these tutorials, by far you are the best teacher for sound in davinci resolve, if this helps to push you again: please continue your excelent videos

Simple and good enough for understanding! Nice job, I will look into some more of your videos. I'm hopping there is smth much more advanced about the audio in Davinci Fairlight...

The explanation was by far the best I've ever heard for this. Thanks for the great video!

Great video ... just used this exact workflow on my own video and the results are great! And because of your very clear explanation I understand where the improvement has come from. Thank you so much! Richard

Excellent tutorial. Very well explained. thank you.

This video is outstanding! I love your explanations. I'm gonna take a tour on your channel now.

Dude! thanks bro! that was one of the better more informative videos i have watched on davinci resolve! thankyou!

loved this

That awesome! I learned a lot and I really like I how you explained why you're recommending us do certain things. Thank You, sir.

I am a novice in Resolve and everything, and your video is the nicest think about improving voice speech! I ve got everything🤩 Thank you a lot!

Interesting topic, I am facing lot of problem with audio and will definitely try settings recommended by you.

Thank you David. Very clear tutorial and practically useful. You got me off to a good start. Take care.

David, by far the best Fairlight explanation I've come across. A suggestion for future episodes; a start-finish on treating a sit down interview where you have some background noise, self noise from the mic and maybe even a bit of reverb to deal with. Just a thought Thanks again, subscribed

Good job - I think that attack and release are pretty important for people to understand though. Wouldn't have taken much longer to explain them in my opinion. Then the video would be a perfect starter for audio compression.

Oh yeah, now that's great information! Thank you so much for this excellent explanation.

This is really great - thank you David!

I know this is an older video... but your style of instruction is excellent. While many youtubers will tell you "click this, click that"... this tutorial gave me understanding of what those clicks were doing... so I can now make educated deisions on my own audio. I see you have slowed down production of tutorials... dont; give up man.. .you have a knack and that will eventually pay off. Subbed!

This is the quality instruction that other videos could learn from. Wow. You're teaching is as clear as the audio on my video after watching this tutorial.

Very detailed and very clear, and I’m an audio engineer(also by study)who uses pro tools for music and want to get into fairlight, for the films I’m making👌🏾🔥. I didn’t learn anything as far the basics of mixing, but I’m really happy to see when someone actually explains the basics, which a lot of youtubers seem to forget or simply don’t have. Subscribed.

Nice explanation of things.

What a wonderful tutorial. That was one of the clearest, cleanest, most easily understood tutorial I've watched yet.

Thanks for the great tutorial, especially at 3:39

this is sooo well explained. Thanks a lot!

I just changed the Device from asio to SPDIF-out (soft blaster z) TNice tutorials improved the soft quality dramatically. I tNice tutorialnk tNice tutorials did the trick!

Wow! This is one of the best tutorials I've seen on the subject and just what I needed for an old audio slide show project that was recorded on cassette tape years ago. So much information in a relatively short period of time. Thanks very much!

This is the best tutorial by far. You explain everything with theory. not just a feeling

Many thanks, you got a sub after 20 seconds in, I'm so glad I found your informative and fact filled videos!

Let me join the chorus in thanking you. Finally, I got some principles to apply with my audio settings/filers. I first did Resolve and then went to OBS Studio and applied them to my audio compression filters. Understanding the threshold, ratio, and then gain was indeed an Ah-Ha moment. These are great starting points and the knowledge shared is much appreciated. Thanks Again.

I thought I had seen some great video's on this subject but this just topped them 👍🏻

Great demonstration and very useful tips. Thanks!!

This video is definitely worth a listen to. Excellent starting point to learning how to improve your vocals.

Thank you very much David

Great Tut. Exactly what I was looking for. Will watch others for sure. Thx!

This was golden, thank you so much. I do voice acting and music. This helps both.

This video and the descriptions of how each dial affected the input signal were incredibly well done. Of the ~15 videos I've watched on how to improve my audio in Resolve, this single video brought more value to me than all others I've watched combined. Thank you for your effort in creating this video.

You made it very easy to understand! Thanks! Please make more of these voice/dialogue videos!!

Thank you for the level of detail in this video! Very helpful!

This is such a beautifully explained video, I finally have a great understanding of the nuances of both the high-pass/low-pass filter and compression. Thank you!

Thank you!! I just switch from audacity as it wasn't doing what I needed it to do. You explained this perfect!! If I could give you 2 thumbs up. I would. I edit a podcast and this is essential to get down. Thank you so much 🙏🙏