Control audio during a transition with Crossfade audio

A transition overlaps the end of one clip with the start of the next, so for a moment both clips have sound. What you hear in that moment depends on one switch in the Transitions tab: Crossfade audio. It belongs to each transition, so every cut can have its own setting.

What happens with the switch off

Off is the default. The picture still blends, but the sound does not mix. The outgoing clip plays at full volume for the whole transition. The incoming clip stays silent until the transition ends, then arrives at full volume.

The result is a clean handoff. You never hear two clips layered on top of each other, which matters most when someone is talking in either clip.

What happens with the switch on

The two sounds ramp together across the transition. The first clip fades out while the second fades in, and the ramp is as long as the transition itself. A longer transition gives a slower, softer audio blend.

Turn it on

1. Select the transition by clicking its round button on the timeline.
2. Find the Crossfade audio switch at the top of the Transitions tab on the left.
3. Switch it on.
4. Press Space to play the cut and listen.

The Duration slider sits just above it. The audio ramp follows whatever length you set there.

Pick the setting by the sound

• Speech. Leave the switch off. With it on, the end of one sentence and the start of another can sound at the same time at partial volume. The second clip's sound starts when the transition ends, so keep the transition short when that clip opens on a spoken word.
• Room tone and ambience. Switch it on when the clips carry a steady background such as wind, traffic or a crowd. With the switch off, that background can jump when the second clip's sound arrives at the end of the transition.
• Music inside the clips. Switch it on so the music does not cut off and restart.
• A separate soundtrack. Music placed on an audio lane is its own clip. Select it and use the Fade in and Fade out buttons in the right panel to shape its ends.

Check it by ear

A cut can look smooth and still sound rough. Play each transition once while you watch and once with your eyes closed. Listen for three problems: a doubled word, a gap of silence, and a sudden jump in background level. Each one points to a fix. A doubled word means the switch should be off. A jump in background level means it should be on. A gap of silence means the second clip is still waiting for the transition to end, so switch the crossfade on or shorten the transition.

Give it a go

Open a project in DepCut, add a transition between two clips that carry sound, and compare the cut with Crossfade audio off and on.