Create Fade-Ins, Fade-Outs, and Volume Dips with Keyframes

The volume slider sets a single level for an entire clip. A volume envelope goes further: it lets you place keyframes at specific points in time so the volume rises, falls, or dips within the same clip. This is how you create smooth fade-ins, fade-outs, and targeted volume drops without splitting the clip.

Opening the Volume Envelope

1

Select a clip

Tap the clip on the timeline to select it and reveal the clip toolbar.

2

Open clip settings

Tap the settings icon in the clip toolbar.

3

Go to Volume Envelope

Find the Volume Envelope section. You will see a mini-timeline representing the clip's duration with a flat line at the current volume level.

Adding and Adjusting Keyframes

Tap anywhere on the envelope timeline to place a new keyframe. A small diamond marker appears at that position. Drag the marker up or down to set the volume level at that point.

The volume smoothly transitions between adjacent keyframes according to the selected interpolation curve. Add as many keyframes as you need to shape the volume over time.

To remove a keyframe, long-press it and choose Delete. The first and last keyframes (at the clip boundaries) cannot be removed.

Interpolation Curves

The curve setting controls how volume transitions between two keyframes. There are four options:

  • Linear — a straight ramp from one level to the next. Simple and predictable.
  • Ease In — starts slowly and accelerates toward the target level. Useful when you want the change to be subtle at first and more noticeable as it progresses.
  • Ease Out — starts quickly and decelerates as it approaches the target. Good for natural-sounding endings where the volume settles gently.
  • Ease In-Out — combines both: starts slowly, speeds up in the middle, and slows down at the end. Produces the smoothest, most natural-sounding transitions.
Default curve. New keyframes use Ease In-Out by default. You can change the curve for any segment by tapping the line between two keyframes and selecting a different option.

Common Use Cases

  • Fade in at clip start — place the first keyframe at 0% volume, add a second keyframe about half a second in at full volume. The clip gradually fades in instead of starting abruptly.
  • Fade out at clip end — add a keyframe at full volume about one second before the clip ends, then set the final keyframe to 0%. The audio trails off smoothly.
  • Duck for emphasis — lower the volume during a specific moment (for example, while a title card appears), then bring it back up. Place two keyframes to mark the start and end of the dip, and drag them down to the desired level.
  • Smooth clip-to-clip transitions — fade out the end of one clip and fade in the start of the next to avoid harsh audio cuts between recordings at different locations.

Tips

  • Ease In-Out curves sound most natural for gradual volume changes like fades. Use Linear when you need a precise, mechanical ramp.
  • Short fades (0.3 to 0.5 seconds) are enough to eliminate clicks and pops at clip boundaries.
  • Preview the clip after editing the envelope to hear the result before exporting.
  • If you only need a fixed volume for the whole clip, use the simpler clip volume slider instead.