DaVinci Resolve’s track fader looks like it tops out at +10 dB, which leads many editors to assume that is the hard ceiling. It is not. The slider has a visual range limit, but you can push the amplitude higher by typing a value directly into the dB field. This guide covers exactly how to do that on both the Fairlight page and the Edit page, plus a quick look at clip gain as an additional boost option.
Why DaVinci Resolve Track Amplitude Appears Capped at 10
The +10 dB limit is a visual constraint on the slider handle, not a software-enforced cap. The fader on the Fairlight page and the Volume field in the Edit page Inspector both accept higher values when you enter them manually. If you have been trying to drag the slider further and hitting a wall, you are in the right place.
How to Set Track Amplitude Above 10 in DaVinci Resolve (Fairlight Page)
This is the most direct method for users working in the Fairlight audio environment.
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Open the Fairlight page using the tab at the bottom of the screen. Locate the audio track you want to adjust.
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On the right side of the track, you will also see the fader (slider), which you can drag up or down for manual volume adjustment.
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Find the small numerical dB value on the left side of the track header (for example 0.0, -10.0, -20.0).
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Double-click that number field directly.
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Type your desired value, for example -15 or -20.
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Press Enter to confirm.
Note: After you press Enter, the slider handle will not move beyond its visible range. This is expected behavior. The number in the field will update to reflect your entry, and the value is fully applied to the track’s output level.
Alternative Method: Set Volume Above 10 in the Edit Page Inspector
If you are working on the Edit page and prefer not to switch to Fairlight, you can set the volume directly from the Inspector panel.
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Click to select the audio clip on the timeline.
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Open the Inspector panel using the button in the top-right corner of the Edit page.
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Navigate to the Audio tab inside the Inspector.
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Find the Volume field.
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Click on the current value and type a number above 10, then press Enter.
Keep in mind that this method adjusts the clip-level volume rather than the track-level amplitude. The two values are independent, which is actually useful when you want precise control over individual clips versus the overall track level.
Using Clip Gain as a Stacked Boost (Optional Gain Stage)
Clip gain is a separate gain stage that sits before the track fader in the signal chain. You can access it by right-clicking a clip and navigating to Clip Attributes, then the Audio tab. In Fairlight, a gain field also appears directly in the clip header.
Because clip gain is processed before the fader, combining the two gives you a stacked total boost without pushing either value to an extreme.
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Use clip gain to correct the source level of an individual clip.
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Use the track fader to set the final output level for the whole track.
Watch your output meters when stacking both values. The combined signal can clip even if each individual setting appears moderate.
FAQ
Q: Is there a maximum amplitude value DaVinci Resolve will accept?
DaVinci Resolve does not enforce a hard numeric ceiling on manually entered fader or volume values. However, audio will clip and distort if the combined signal exceeds 0 dBFS at the output stage. Keep an eye on the master output meter while boosting to catch any clipping before it becomes a problem.
Q: Why does my track fader slider not move above +10 even after I type a higher value?
The slider handle is constrained to its visual range by design and will not travel past the +10 mark regardless of what you type. The value you entered is still active and processing correctly. The numerical field below the fader will display the actual applied value, confirming your entry took effect.
Q: What is the difference between track amplitude and clip gain in DaVinci Resolve?
Track amplitude, controlled by the fader, applies a uniform level adjustment to everything passing through that track. Clip gain applies only to the specific clip it is set on and is processed before the fader signal reaches the track. The two are independent and additive, making them useful as separate stages in your gain structure.
Wrapping Up
You now have two reliable paths: type a value directly into the dB field on the Fairlight fader, or enter a higher number in the Volume field inside the Edit page Inspector. After boosting, check the master output meter to confirm the signal is not clipping. If the audio is still too quiet after applying both clip gain and track amplitude adjustments, the problem likely originates in the original recording, and loudness normalization or EQ would be the logical next step.
