What is a Bus?
A bus is essentially a destination channel to which you can route multiple audio tracks from the
timeline, so that they are mixed together into a single signal that can be controlled via a single
channel strip.
Main Bus:
'Main busses' are typically the primary output of a program and each new
project you create starts out with a single 'main bus', to which all tracks are routed by
default. The 'main bus' combines all of the tracks in the timeline into one signal so that
you can adjust the overall level of the audio mix once you have adjusted the level of
each individual track.
Sub Bus:
'Sub busses' allow you to combine multiple tracks of audio that belong to the
same category such as dialogue, music or effects so that everything in that category
can be mixed as a single audio signal. For example, if you have five dialogue tracks,
you can route the output of all five dialogue tracks to a 'submix bus', and the level of all
dialogue can then be mixed with a single set of controls. This submix can be rendered
separately or sent to the main bus for render.
The Mixer
Each audio track in your timeline corresponds to an individual channel strip in the Mixer, and by
default there's a single strip on the right for the 'main bus' labeled 'M1'. Additional channel strips
will appear on the right hand side with a set of controls for each additional 'main' and 'submix
bus' you create. A set of graphical controls allows you to assign track channels to output
channels, adjust EQ and dynamics, set levels and record automation, pan stereo and surround
audio, and mute and solo tracks.
The audio mixer, with channel strips corresponding to the tracks in the timeline
Using the Equalizer to Enhance your Audio
After adjusting the audio levels of your audio clips in your project, you may find that the audio
needs further finessing. In some cases you may find that the dialogue, music and sound effects
are competing for the same frequency on the audio spectrum, making your audio too busy and
unclear. This is where using EQ can help, as it allows you to specify the parts of the audio
spectrum that each track occupies. You can also use an equalizer to help remove unwanted
elements from your audio by isolating and reducing the level on particular frequencies that
contain low rumbles, hums, wind noise and hiss, or simply to improve the overall quality of your
sound so it is more pleasing to listen to.
Using DaVinci Resolve
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