How to Add Voice Over to a Video in DaVinci Resolve

About this video

Presenter Tim shows how to record and polish a voiceover entirely in the free version of DaVinci Resolve, downloaded from Blackmagic Design; he notes DaVinci Resolve Studio is the paid version with more features but is not needed here. He creates a project, works on the Edit page, drags a video into the media pool and onto the timeline, then uses Timeline > Record Voice Over. In that panel he names the file, selects a microphone and track — choosing Auto so a new track is created rather than recording over existing ambience — and enables the 3-second countdown and mute timeline audio while recording options. After recording two takes he keeps the second, trims its head and tail by dragging the clip edges, and raises level using the clip’s volume line. For polish in the Mixer he opens Dynamics and uses the compressor: threshold sets where compression kicks in and ratio sets how much sound above it is reduced, with a vocal ratio of between 2.5 and 3 suggested to stay natural, plus makeup gain to bring up the quiet parts. He then uses EQ, explaining lower frequencies add depth, mids add presence and highs add clarity, and advises cutting unwanted frequencies before boosting. Finally he trims the video to the voiceover using snapping (S) and linked selection, goes to the Deliver page, chooses a preset (mentioning YouTube presets and preferring an H.265 master or custom export), sets an in point with I to exclude blank space, adds the job to the render queue and renders.

Key takeaways

• The free version of DaVinci Resolve is sufficient for this workflow; Studio is the paid version but its extra features are not needed
• Record via Timeline > Record Voice Over, choose Auto track to avoid overwriting existing audio, and enable the 3-second countdown and mute timeline audio while recording
• Record multiple takes, trim the chosen take by dragging its edges, and adjust level with the clip volume line
• Compressor basics for vocals: threshold controls where it kicks in, ratio controls reduction above it — 2.5 to 3 is suggested for a natural sound — then use makeup gain to raise quiet parts
• For EQ, lows add depth, mids presence and highs clarity, and you should cut unwanted frequencies before boosting; export from the Deliver page via the render queue

Episode details: published September 12, 2025 · 9:44 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kevin Stratvert’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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