How to Add an Audio Track in DaVinci Resolve (3 Easy Methods)

Adding an audio track in DaVinci Resolve takes only a few clicks once you know where to look. The interface offers several ways to do it, and the right method depends on where you are in the software and what you are trying to accomplish. This guide covers every practical approach, explains the track type options, and helps you avoid the most common stumbling points along the way.

What You Need Before You Start

Before adding a track, confirm you are on either the Edit page or the Fairlight page in DaVinci Resolve, and that you already have a timeline open in the project. If you have not created a timeline yet, do that first via File > New Timeline. Starting with clean, well-recorded source audio, such as footage captured with a 32-bit float wireless mic like the Hollyland LARK MAX 2, will also make your track management much smoother once you are in the edit.

How to Add an Audio Track in DaVinci Resolve (Edit Page)

The Edit page is where most users spend the majority of their time, and it is the most straightforward place to add audio tracks. There are three methods available.

Method 1 — Right-Click in the Timeline (Fastest)

This is the quickest approach and works whenever at least one audio track already exists in your timeline.

1. Locate the track header area on the left side of the timeline. This is the panel showing track names like “A1” or “Audio 1.”

2. Right-click on any existing audio track header.

3. Select Add Track from the context menu.

4. A sub-menu or dialog will appear asking for the track type. Choose your preferred type (Mono, Stereo, Adaptive, etc.).

   

5. The new track will appear directly below your existing audio tracks.

   

Pro Tip: If you right-click below the last audio track in an empty space of the track header panel, you may see the same “Add Track” option, which is handy when your timeline is getting crowded.

Method 2 — Using the Timeline Menu

Use this method when you have no existing audio tracks to right-click on, or if you simply prefer working through the menu bar.

1. With your timeline open, click Timeline in the top menu bar.

2. Hover over or click Add Track.

3. Select Audio Track from the sub-menu.

4. A dialog box will appear. Choose your track type from the dropdown.

5. Click Add or press Enter to confirm. The new track appears at the bottom of your audio track stack.

This method also gives you a clear view of the track type options in a dialog format, which is helpful if you are still learning what each type means.

Method 3 — Drag and Drop an Audio File

This is the most beginner-friendly method because it creates a new track automatically as a side effect of importing a clip.

• Open the Media Pool (top-left panel on the Edit page).

• Drag an audio clip from the Media Pool down into the empty grey area below your existing tracks in the timeline.

• DaVinci Resolve will create a new audio track and place your clip on it in one step.

  

A few things to note: - The track type is assigned automatically based on the file’s channel layout. - You cannot pre-select a track name or type using this method. - This approach is best for quick imports, not for setting up a structured session in advance.

Understanding Audio Track Types in DaVinci Resolve

When you add a track using Method 1 or Method 2, DaVinci Resolve will ask you to choose a track type. Here is a practical breakdown of your options.

For most YouTube videos, vlogs, and short films, Stereo covers music and ambient audio, and Mono works best for dialogue or voiceover. You can always add more tracks of different types to the same timeline.

Adding Audio Tracks in the Fairlight Page

The Fairlight page is DaVinci Resolve’s dedicated audio workstation, designed for more complex mixing sessions. Adding a track here follows a similar process to the Edit page.

1. Click the Fairlight tab at the bottom of the screen to switch workspaces.

2. Locate the Track Header area on the left side of the Fairlight timeline.

3. Right-click anywhere in the Track Header panel.

4. Select Add Track, then choose your track type from the dialog.

   

The new track will appear in the Fairlight timeline and will also be visible if you switch back to the Edit page. For most users, the Edit page methods are sufficient. The Fairlight page becomes more valuable once you are working with multiple busses, automation, or plugin chains.

Quick Tips for Managing Audio Tracks

Once your tracks are in place, a few simple habits will keep your session organized:

• Rename your tracks by double-clicking the track name in the header. Labels like “Dialogue,” “Music,” and “SFX” save a lot of confusion later.

• Use track color-coding by right-clicking the track header and selecting a color. This makes it easy to scan a busy timeline at a glance.

• Lock tracks you are not actively editing to prevent accidental moves or cuts. Click the lock icon in the track header.

• Open the Mixer panel (Shift+9 on the Edit page) to monitor and adjust audio levels per track without switching to Fairlight.

FAQ

Q1: Why can’t I add an audio track in DaVinci Resolve?

The most common reason is that no timeline is open. Make sure you have created or opened a timeline before trying to add tracks. Also confirm you are clicking in the track header area and not the clip area of the timeline. This feature is fully available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve, so a license limitation is not the cause.

Q2: How do I add multiple audio tracks at once?

Right-click in the track header area and look for Add Tracks (plural) rather than “Add Track.” This opens a dialog where you can specify the number of tracks to add and the track type, letting you build out your session layout in a single step.

Q3: What is the difference between the Edit page and Fairlight page for audio tracks?

The Edit page handles basic multi-track layout and is suitable for most editing workflows. The Fairlight page offers advanced mixing tools, including effects routing, automation lanes, and detailed metering. Both pages support adding tracks in the same way, and tracks created on one page appear on the other.

Q4: Can I add an audio track without a video track?

Yes. Audio tracks in DaVinci Resolve are completely independent of video tracks. You can have a timeline with only audio tracks, or add as many audio tracks as needed regardless of your video track count.

Q5: Is there a keyboard shortcut to add an audio track?

DaVinci Resolve does not include a default keyboard shortcut for this action. However, you can assign one by going to DaVinci Resolve > Keyboard Customization, then searching for “Add Track” and assigning your preferred key combination.

Next Steps

Adding an audio track is the first step. Once your tracks are in place, the natural next move is dragging your audio clips onto the timeline and adjusting levels for each track. For a deeper look at balancing your audio mix, check out our guide on DaVinci Resolve audio mixing basics, or if you are working with separately recorded audio, see how to sync audio in DaVinci Resolve.