Fades

Peter 14Nov12: created this page. ToDo-2 Ready for editorial review and merciless editing.

• Once Steve's Wiki page on fading is published I would anticipate that we would link to it from this page.
• Gale: 14Nov12: It's a bit bare bones, and mostly duplication of the Effects page (apart from the images). Is there any more we can say? Something about what fades may be useful for? If/when we get Adjustable Fade shipped, would it go here? I am not sure it would. Perhaps this page should be for "automatic" fades?
  • How about an image of Cross Fade after mixing, to show what we mean by equal volume after the mix?
  • I can't see the point repeating the tips box both here and on the Effects page. I would suggest only having it here, if we want this page.

Linear Fades

These basic fades apply a fade to the selected audio, so that the amplitude changes gradually from the original amplitude at the start of the selection down to silence at the end of the selection. The shape of the fade is linear. The rapidity of the fade-out depends entirely on the length of the selection it is applied to.

Fade Out

Accessed by: Effect > Fade Out

Typically a fade out would be applied over a longish audio selection, from one or two up to about ten seconds or so.

Fade In

Accessed by: Effect > Fade In

Unlike fading out a fade in is normally applied over a very short audio selection (less tha a second). You may finf that you get an improved result by applying a fade in to the same audio selection three times (which effectively gives an exponentionally curved fade in).

Cross Fades

Despite the names these effects do not do an automatic cross-fade between two tracks or clips. Instead they apply a curve that is different from the one used by the Fade Out effect. The curve used is one that will result in equal volume throughout the fade once the faded in and faded out regions are mixed.

Cross Fade Out

Accessed by: Effect > Cross Fade Out

Cross Fade In

Accessed by: Effect > Cross Fade In

After a Cross Fade

If the two waveforms above (Cross Fade In and Out) then an equal volume section of audio would result as below. The example is untypical as we have used a constant frequency and amplitude sine wave to illustreate the fades - normal audio would appear more spiky.

Fade In/Out tips:

• By repeating a fade in, the audio will remain quiet for longer then rise more rapidly to the original level. Similarly, repeating a fade out will cause the level to initially drop more rapidly then tail off at a lower level. As with other effects, the fade may be repeated as required by pressing CTRL + R.
• For a more customizable logarithmic fade in or fade out, use the Envelope Tool on Tools Toolbar.</p>
• When cross-fading, fade in the first two-thirds of the overlapping audio that is beginning, and fade out the last two-thirds of the overlapping audio that is coming to an end. Two-thirds is a guideline rather than a rule, but helps to keep the level of audio constant through the fade. Alternatively, cross-fade using the two Cross Fade effects, selecting the entire overlap.
• Typically fade-outs are applied over a longer period (up to ten seconds) whereas typical fade-ins are much shorter (less tha a second).

Musical Fades

These fades apply a more musical fade to the selected audio, giving a more pleasing (more "professional") sounding result.

• Pro Fade Out uses a mirrored S-curve or 1/2 period cosine for the volume and a linear ramp for the lowpass filter (from 22050 Hz down to 100 Hz). Basically that means that the high frequencies are sustained for longer and the low frequencies are faded quicker (this is a standard used in the recording industry on many current CDs and LPs).

Pro Fade Out

Accessed by: Effect > Pro Fade Out provided you have installed it.

Pro Fade In

Accessed by: Effect > Pro Fade In provided you have installed it.