How to Use DaVinci Resolve Speed Ramp Tool - A Quick Guide

Are you eager to improve your video editing skills? Learn how to use DaVinci Resolve's speed ramp feature!

davinci resolve speed ramp
CapCut
CapCut05/05/2024
0 min(s)

Want to add dynamic slow-motion or fast-forward effects to your videos? DaVinci Resolve speed ramp feature is a powerful tool for creating these effects. Luckily, in this comprehensive tutorial, we'll break down everything you need to know about using speed ramps in DaVinci Resolve, from adding keyframes to creating smooth transitions. We will also discuss the best alternative for DaVinci Resolve - the CapCut desktop video editor.

Table of content

What is the Speed Ramp in Davinci Resolve

Speed ramping in DaVinci Resolve is a technique that allows you to dynamically alter the speed of your footage, creating smooth transitions between fast and slow motion. Adjusting the speed curve allows you to smoothly accelerate or decelerate portions of your video, adding a dynamic flair to your edits.

This feature is incredibly versatile, enabling you to enhance storytelling, emphasize key moments, or create captivating visual effects. For example, in an action sequence, you can use speed ramping to intensify the impact of a punch or a jump, while in a scenic video, you can slow down to highlight breathtaking scenery.

Moreover, speed ramping can also be used to improve the flow of your edits, ensuring smooth transitions between clips of varying speeds. Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, or video editor, mastering speed ramping in DaVinci Resolve can take your projects to new levels, infusing them with energy, drama, and cinematic style.


Speed ramp DaVinci interface

How to use the Davinci speed ramp feature to elevate your video

Here's how to create speed ramps using the DaVinci speed ramp feature:

  1. Place your clip on the timeline and right-click on it. Choose "Retime Controls" from the menu. In the "Retime Controls" section, you'll see a black triangle at the bottom next to the clip's speed percentage. Click on it and select "Add speed point" to create keyframes at the beginning and end of the section you want to slow down or speed up.
  2. 
    how to use speed points on DaVinci Resolve
  3. Now, you can change the speed of your clip. Click and drag the top handle of the second speed point to stretch or compress the previous section. This will change the speed percentage accordingly. However, dragging the bottom handle will only move the speed point without affecting the clip's timing.
  4. 
    how to change speed on DaVinci Resolve
  5. To create a smooth speed ramp, right-click the clip again and select "Retime curve." This will open up a new set of tools below the clip. (In versions earlier than 18.1 of DaVinci Resolve, ensure the option in the upper-left corner of the window is set to "Retime speed" instead of "Retime frame.")
  6. 
    how to use retime curve on DaVinci Resolve
  7. With "Retime curve" selected, you can create speed ramps by clicking on the first keyframe and selecting the left icon at the top to change it into a curve. This will add handles that you can use to adjust the shape of the curve for a more natural speed change. Repeat this process for the second keyframe to create your speed ramp.
  8. 
    how to adjust speed ramp on DaVinci Resolve

By following these steps, you can easily create smooth DaVinci Resolve speed ramps to add dynamic slow-motion or fast-forward effects to your videos.

A better alternative to Davinci Resolve: CapCut Desktop

While DaVinci Resolve offers incredible power for video editing, it can be a little complicated and hard to use for beginners. However, if you're looking for a simple and novice-friendly approach to dynamic slow-motion or fast-forward effects, then the CapCut desktop video editor might be the perfect fit for you! Let's dive in.

    Step
  1. Import
  2. After downloading the CapCut video editor, sign up using your Google ID, TikTok, email, or by scanning the QR code. Once you are signed in, import your desired video by clicking on the "import" button. You can also use videos from the platform's vast library or generate your desired videos using the AI feature of the CapCut desktop video editor.
  3. 
    how to import on CapCut video editor
  4. Step
  5. Spice up your video on CapCut Desktop
  6. Once you've imported your media, let's now edit your video! Here's where the magic of the Curve feature comes in:
  7. Start by adding the video clip to your timeline. After that, the editing panel on the right side will appear. Within the editing panel, go to the "Speed" section. Here, you'll find the adjustment slider to adjust the speed of your video. But for more precise control, click the new "Curve" button next to those options.
  8. The Curve feature shows a graph where you can change the playback speed over time. Drag the points on the graph to create smooth slow-motion effects or dynamic fast-forward segments—all visually represented for a more engaging editing experience!
  9. Moreover, the CapCut desktop video editor offers a range of additional features to enhance your videos. For example, the "relight" feature can be used to adjust brightness and contrast, perfect for correcting poorly lit footage or adding dramatic effects. Similarly, the "motion blur" can be applied to create smoother transitions between different scenes.
  10. 
    how to enhance video on CapCut video editor
  11. Step
  12. Export

Once you are satisfied with your creation, now you can export it using the CapCut Desktop video editor's various export options.

Click the "Export" button at the top right corner. A window will appear with export settings such as resolution, frame rate, and format. Choose the settings that best suit your needs. Moreover, the CapCut Desktop video editor also lets you optimize your export for specific platforms like YouTube or Instagram. Finally, click the "Export" button to export your video.


how to export on CapCut video editor

Moreover, you can also use the fast-sharing feature of the CapCut desktop video editor to share your creations on TikTok and YouTube within no time.


how to quickly share on CapCut video editor

Key features

Here are some key features of the CapCut desktop video editor:

  1. A bank of media resources
  2. By choosing your materials from a library of free-to-use trendy effects, and filters, to text overlays, you can easily add a touch of humor to your video and bring it alive.
  3. All-in-one audio and video editing software
  4. The CapCut desktop video editor makes video editing easy. You can easily cut, trim, and arrange videos. It also lets you control playback speed precisely for important moments.
  5. TikTok user-friendly and fast-sharing
  6. CapCut desktop also offers smooth sharing capabilities, simplifying the process of showcasing your creations to the world. With just one click, you can effortlessly export your video directly to TikTok with the customizable export settings.
  7. Robust AI capabilities
  8. The CapCut desktop video editor offers loads of smart AI tools that make editing videos easier. You can remove things from the video and add cool effects with smart tools. Motion tracking lets you add graphics that follow objects on the screen. You can also enhance portraits for a polished look and automatically reframe your video for different social media platforms. CapCut desktop video editor can even generate captions and narrate your text using AI text-to-speech. These AI features make CapCut a powerful and user-friendly video editor.
  9. Support multiple file formats

CapCut desktop video editor supports popular video and audio formats for import, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and MP3. Moreover, export options include MP4, MOV, and H.264, ensuring compatibility with most platforms and devices. You can choose the format that suits your needs, considering file size and quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the DaVinci Resolve speed ramp is a powerful feature for adjusting the speed of your videos. However, this professional tool has a steeper learning curve, which is too hard for a beginner.

Not all people have time to invest, so here is a quick equivalent: CapCut desktop video editor. Here, a simple slider can easily slow down or speed up your video segments. And other advanced video enhancers, like auto reframes and slow-motion smoothers, can easily optimize your video's visual experience. Ready to make your viewers scream, get on the ride with CapCut!

FAQs

  1. Can you change the video playback speed in Davinci Resolve by 2x?
  2. Yes, you can change the video playback speed by 2x on the speed ramp DaVinci Resolve by using the retime controls to adjust the clip's speed percentage to 200%. However, by using the CapCut desktop video editor, you can adjust the playback speed with easy controls. You just have to use the speed feature and adjust the slider to 2.0x. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get into CapCut now!
  3. How do you gradually increase speed in Davinci Resolve?
  4. To gradually increase speed in DaVinci Resolve, use the "Retime Curve" feature. First, add keyframes at the beginning and end of the section you want to speed up. Then, adjust the curve to create a smooth transition. But if you are looking for a free method to address speed issues in video, try CapCut. It has different chic styles of speed mode, which TikTok influencers love to apply in their daily vlogs. Don't be bothered, dive into CapCut and craft a hit video.
  5. Does Davinci Resolve have smooth slow motion?
  6. Speed ramp DaVinci offers a smooth-slow-motion effect but you can also adjust the speed curve for similar results. However, the CapCut desktop video editor is beginner-friendly and provides intuitive speed controls and the Curve feature for precise adjustments. So, try CapCut Desktop to elevate your editing skills.
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