Independent training, updated for Resolve 21

Cut. Grade. Deliver.

DaVinci Resolve Tutorials, Fixes and Workflow Guides

Written for editors, tested hands-on in Resolve 21, covering both Free and Studio. Step-by-step menu paths, honest comparisons and fixes that hold up.

61 guides, new ones weekly

Learn: the path Workflow Color grading Fairlight audio Fusion Export Fix a problem Proxy workflow

Log Graded

Drag the handle. The difference is what you learn here.

Actually free

The free version has no watermark and covers full editing, grading and audio work.

Studio: 295 dollars once

Studio is a 295 dollar perpetual license. Organization-managed rental licenses and hardware bundles are separate options.

Resolve 21 is stable

Out of beta since June 3, 2026. Guides are retested against current Resolve releases and updated when behaviour changes.

Mac: Apple Silicon baseline

Treat an M-series Mac on a current macOS as the safe baseline for Resolve 21 and check the official download page. Intel Macs stay on Resolve 20.

Start with your task

I'm new to Resolve

The learning path Beginner tutorial Free vs Studio

My playback is slow

Slow playback fix Media offline Proxy workflow All fixes

I need to export

Export settings Transcribe audio All export guides

I want color grading

Photo page grading All color guides

I want Fusion and titles

Text and titles All Fusion guides

I'm choosing software

Resolve vs Premiere What it costs What's new in 21

Learn DaVinci Resolve

The beginner path, from install to your first finished edit.

All beginner guides

Start here

DaVinci Resolve Tutorial for Beginners

10 min read

Export Transparent Video in DaVinci Resolve (Alpha)8 min read

Transparency survives only when the timeline contains real alpha, the selected format can store RGBA, and Export Alpha is enabled. This guide covers the correct render path, verification and the black-background traps.

Stabilize Video in DaVinci Resolve: Edit, Color & Fusion8 min read

Start with the least destructive stabilizer, then escalate only when the shot needs controlled tracking. This guide explains every automatic mode, the crop-versus-smoothness tradeoff, and the point or plane you should track in Fusion.

DaVinci Resolve Color Management: RCM vs CST & LUT Order9 min read

Stop memorizing color-management presets and follow the signal instead. This guide compares RCM and CST workflows, explains DaVinci Wide Gamut/Intermediate, places LUTs by their real input and output, and diagnoses double transforms.

DaVinci Resolve Audio Ducking: Ducker, AI & Sidechain8 min read

Make room for dialogue without riding the music fader through every sentence. This guide separates Ducker Track FX, bus-capable sidechain compression and Studio's AI Audio Assistant, then shows how to tune and troubleshoot each route.

The learning path

Check the machineSystem requirements for your OS and GPU Make your first editImport, timeline, cuts and music Clean up the audioMute, split and level the dialogue Save it properlyBackups that survive a crash Export for deliveryDeliver page settings that just work

Fix a Resolve Problem

When the edit stops, start with the diagnosis, not the reinstall.

All fixes: the troubleshooting hub

DaVinci Resolve Slow Playback

14 min read

Fix GPU Memory Full in DaVinci Resolve10 min read

Save and duplicate the project, note the exact failing frame, then bypass the heaviest Color, Fusion, retime, and AI processing near that frame. Lower the timeline’s working resolution, restart Resolve, and test again.

Where DaVinci Resolve Projects Are Saved10 min read

Resolve stores projects inside a Project Library, not beside your footage. In Project Manager, open Project Libraries and use the details icon or Reveal in Finder to confirm the active local path. Export a DRP for one project, a DRA when media must travel, and a library backup for all projects.

DaVinci Resolve No Audio11 min read

Match the symptom first. Waveforms visible but meters dead: Clip Attributes, codec or clip volume. Meters moving but silent: DIM, master mute, bus routing or the output device in Preferences. Source Viewer fine but timeline silent: track mutes and routing. Each case has its own section below.

DaVinci Resolve Render Failed9 min read

Match the exact error message first: a clip Fusion can't process, a hardware decode conflict, full GPU memory, an uninitialized GPU, a stalled job with no error, a full cache drive, or one broken clip. Each has its own fix; the diagnostic bypass and clip isolation find the culprit fast.

Master the Workflow

Audio, titles, color and a clean export: every edit runs through these.

All workflow guides

New in Resolve 21

DaVinci Resolve 21 Photo Page: Full Walkthrough

12 min read

Change Aspect Ratio in DaVinci Resolve9 min read

Duplicate the timeline, open Timeline Settings, choose Use Custom Settings, and enter the target canvas. For vertical, use 1080 × 1920 or enable Use vertical resolution for a landscape preset. Then choose fit, crop, or manual reframe for each shot.

Audio Levels and LUFS in DaVinci Resolve8 min read

DaVinci Resolve audio levels need two checks: dBFS peak meters protect headroom, while LUFS/LKFS meters describe perceived loudness over time. Balance dialogue, music, and effects first; watch every bus for overload; then reset the Fairlight loudness meter and play the complete delivery range.

DaVinci Resolve 21 AI Slate ID and Slate Finder10 min read

In Resolve Studio 21, Slate Finder marks the readable slate range. Slate ID is a separate step: open it from Metadata, select trusted fields in Slate Information, then click Save.

How to Export Audio Only in DaVinci Resolve9 min read

For one finished mix, open Deliver > Custom Export, turn Export Video off and Export Audio on, choose WAVE/Linear PCM, and select the actual stereo Main or Submix bus. 24-bit/48 kHz is common for video post, but the delivery specification wins. For stems, route groups to separate buses first.

Compare and Choose

Picking an editor, a license or an upgrade? The honest breakdowns.

View all comparisons

The big question

DaVinci Resolve vs DaVinci Resolve Studio: Which Do You Need?

10 min read

Fusion vs After Effects in 202610 min read

Fusion is a strong fit for shot-based compositing inside Resolve. After Effects is often the faster choice for layer-driven motion design and Premiere templates. Compare the job, handoff and revision loop before choosing nodes or layers.

DaVinci Resolve vs CapCut in 20269 min read

CapCut is faster for same-day social clips, captions and templates across phone, web and desktop. Resolve is stronger when longer projects need controlled media, color, VFX, audio and delivery. Compare the complete publishing loop, not the number of AI buttons.

DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro in 202610 min read

Final Cut Pro suits Mac-only editors who value the Magnetic Timeline and fast organization. Resolve is stronger when color, Fusion, Fairlight, cross-platform access or simultaneous collaboration belong in the same project. Test the same short edit in both before moving a live library.

Voice Isolation vs Dialogue Leveler in DaVinci Resolve9 min read

Compare Voice Isolation and Dialogue Leveler in DaVinci Resolve 21: controls, Free vs Studio limits, processing order, artifacts, and cleaner dialogue.

Tested, not paraphrased.

Every guide is run hands-on in DaVinci Resolve 21, in Free and Studio, on Windows and Apple Silicon. Written by editor Jason Miller. If a menu path changes, the guide gets retested. About the club

Practical Resolve training

DaVinci Resolve Club is built for editors who want a clear answer fast: where to click, which setting matters, and what to check before exporting. The guides cover the full Resolve workflow: importing media, organizing bins, editing on the Cut and Edit pages, creating proxy media, color correction and grading nodes, Fusion effects, Fairlight cleanup and Deliver page render settings.

Start with the beginner tutorial path if you are opening Resolve for the first time. Use the workflow guides when playback is slow, proxies are confusing or media goes offline. Use the color grading section for scopes, color management, LUTs, node order and matching shots.

Covered topics

Beginner tutorial and first edit workflow
Media page, import, bins, relinking and proxies
Edit page timeline tools and shortcuts
Color correction, grading, scopes, nodes and LUTs
Fusion compositing, titles and tracking
Fairlight cleanup, EQ and loudness checks
Deliver page exports for YouTube, Shorts and clients

Questions editors ask

What is the best way to learn DaVinci Resolve as a beginner?

Start with the full edit path: install Resolve, import footage, make a simple timeline, adjust audio, add basic color correction and export. Then learn proxies, shortcuts, color nodes and Fairlight as separate skills.

Why is DaVinci Resolve playback slow?

Usually heavy codecs, high resolution footage, effects or timeline settings that outrun the machine. Proxy media, optimized cache and lower timeline resolution are the first things to check.

Which export settings should I use for YouTube, Shorts and Reels?

Use the Deliver page to match the platform: correct resolution, frame rate, codec, bitrate, audio format and color tagging. For vertical platforms, confirm timeline resolution before rendering.

Should I use DaVinci Resolve Free or Studio?

The free version covers most beginner editing, basic grading, audio work and standard exports. Studio matters for advanced noise reduction, some AI features and heavier professional workflows.

How do I start color grading?

Correction before the look: set exposure and contrast, fix white balance, use scopes, keep a clean node order, then add creative grading or LUTs.