The Fade Whisperer

Let's face it: fades are the unsung heroes of our workflow.  They smooth out transitions, eliminate pops and clicks, and generally make our lives a whole lot easier.  But here's the thing – most people just use the default fade settings, missing out on a powerful time-saving tool: fade presets.

Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on my most-used fade presets, designed to streamline your editing process and keep your projects flowing.  So, grab your headphones, open up Pro Tools, and let's dive in!

Fade Presets 101: Understanding the Millisecond Mystery

Before we dive into specific presets, let's address the elephant in the room – milliseconds.  

For whatever reason, Pro Tools stubbornly refuses to let you change the time unit in the fades window.  

Milliseconds are king, even though you're probably not thinking in those terms. Don't worry, though! I've done the legwork for you.  

Through trial and error (and a whole lot of number-crunching), I've discovered that 42 milliseconds is pretty darn close to 1 frame. It's not perfect, but it's close enough for our editing purposes. So, to save you the hassle, here's a handy cheat sheet:

• 42 milliseconds = 1 frame

• 84 milliseconds = 2 frames

• 168 milliseconds = 4 frames

Important Note: These presets only apply to newly created fades, not existing ones. Think of them as a starting point, not a set-in-stone rule. Always adjust the fades to your ear and the specific needs of your project.

Taming the Dialogue Beast: Fade Presets for Interview and Production Dialogue

Dialogue fades can be a tricky balancing act.  

You want to find the sweet spot between smooth transitions and eliminating unwanted noise. 

Here's how I approach it with two distinct presets:

Int Fades (Interview Dialogue)

 Interview edits tend to be more chopped up, so a cleaner sound is often preferred. 

My Int Fades use an "equal gain log" fade in and out. This helps to minimize noise floor issues as the dialogue fades in and eliminates any pesky tail-end noises like breaths or run on sentences.

DX Fades (Production Dialogue)

These fades are similar to Int Fades, but with a standard "equal gain" curve instead of the log fade. This gives me more control over the fade in and out points, allowing me to adjust the length as needed. One frame on each side is a good starting point.

Finding Fade Harmony: BG Fades for Seamless Scene Transitions

Everyone has their own philosophy on fade length for background sound effects (BG).  

While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, it's always a good idea to check with your mixer for their preferences.  

Personally, I like a balance between short and sweet fades with the flexibility to extend them if needed.  

Here are my two go-to BG fade presets:

BG 2fr

This preset is perfect for quick cuts within scenes, especially for interior shots.  The two-frame fade length allows for a smooth transition without being jarring.

BG 4fr 

For exterior scenes or transitions that require a bit more breathing room, the BG 4fr preset provides a slightly longer four-frame fade. This helps to create a more natural flow between scenes.

Remember:  With BG fades, you're essentially crossfading the audio from one scene to the next. The key is to maintain consistent volume throughout the transition. That's why both presets use an "equal power" slope. This ensures a smooth blend between scenes without any unwanted dips or spikes in volume.

Music and Effects Fades: A Case-by-Case Approach

Unlike dialogue and BG fades, music and effects (MX/FX) are a bit more case-dependent.  

The ideal fade length can vary wildly depending on the specific audio file.  

However, I do have a starting point preset to avoid those dreaded snats (digital clicks) at the beginning and end of clips:

This preset uses a very short fade-in (just 1 millisecond). The reason for this is to avoid losing any important transients at the start of the file.  

On the other hand, the fade-out is a bit longer to provide a more natural ending for the audio.  

However, if you're dealing with a very short clip, you wouldn't want to fade the entire thing. Always be mindful of the specific audio you're working with!

Bonus Tip:  For ultimate safety, you could set both fade in and out to 1 millisecond. This would give you the most flexibility to adjust the fades later on without worrying about snats.

Fade Magic at Your Fingertips: Recalling Presets for Speedy Workflow

Here's the best part –  you can easily access your fade presets without diving into menus.  

With the Batch Fades window open, simply select a number key corresponding to your desired preset. In case you don't know how to set the numbers up, once you have the settings to your liking, holding cmd, click on the number you want it to be. Once clicked, it should blink blue a couple times, indicating it has saved your settings to the number recall.

Here's how I have mine set up:

1. INT Fade

2. DX Fade

3. BG 2fr

4. BG 4fr

5. MX/FX Fade

Unfortunately, there's no way to assign custom keyboard shortcut keys for fade presets like you can with Zoom or Clip Effects.  

But hey, maybe a future Pro Tools update will bring this functionality (fingers crossed for 2030!).

So, what are your favorite fade presets? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below, and let's keep the fade conversation flowing! Also Happy Halloween! 👻