Fairlight · Metering · Resolve 21
Frequency Analyzer in Fairlight
A practical guide to the Fairlight frequency analyzer in DaVinci Resolve 21: Spectrum and Waterfall views, full-spectrum inspection and diagnosis of tonal problems before you reach for EQ or restoration tools.
Instant frequency balance
Frequency history over time
Visible full-spectrum scale
1. What you are looking at
Amplitude by frequency — and, in Waterfall, how it changes over time
20 Hz → 24 kHz
The live Full Spectrum view spans the audible-frequency region from deep low frequencies to the top end. Use the horizontal scale to locate where energy is concentrated.
Level scale
The vertical graph scale in the supplied interface runs from 0 dB down to −80 dB. Peaks on the graph show relative energy at particular frequency regions.
Spectrum
Best for a current snapshot of tonal balance: low-frequency build-up, resonances, harsh bands, hum fundamentals or missing high-frequency content.
Waterfall
Adds time to the picture. It is useful when a resonance, hum, ring or transient exists only for part of a clip and is hard to understand from one instantaneous trace.
2. Diagnostic workflow
Analyze first, process second
Listen before looking
Identify the audible problem first. The analyzer should explain what you hear, not invent a problem because a line on the graph looks unusual.
Choose Spectrum or Waterfall
Use Spectrum for current balance; switch to Waterfall when the problem changes over time or leaves a frequency trail.
Locate the region
Find whether the issue lives in sub/low, low-mid, presence, sibilance or high-frequency territory before opening EQ or restoration.
Use the narrowest appropriate tool
A tonal imbalance may need EQ; mains hum is better handled by De-Hummer; broadband noise may call for Noise Reduction.
Bypass and re-check
After processing, compare before/after at matched level and verify that the visible change also sounds better.
Check in context
A soloed track can look clean but fail in the mix. Re-check the analyzer and your ears while dialogue, music and effects play together.
3. What it can reveal
Turn vague audio complaints into specific frequency questions
Hum and harmonics
Stable low-frequency peaks and repeated harmonic structure can point you toward a mains-hum problem. Confirm by ear, then use De-Hummer rather than carving the entire low end with EQ.
Sibilance and harshness
Short bursts of high-frequency energy can help locate a sibilance region before you set De-Esser frequency. Do not assume every bright peak is a defect.
Broadband noise
A persistent floor spread across a wide frequency range is different from one narrow tonal problem. That distinction matters before choosing Noise Reduction.
EQ decisions
The analyzer can verify where a boxy, muddy or piercing region sits, but EQ decisions should still be made by listening in context rather than flattening the graph.
4. Analyzer vs related tools
Measurement explains the signal; processing changes it
Frequency Analyzer
A metering/diagnostic view. It does not fix the signal by itself.
Equalizer
Changes tonal balance once you have identified what actually needs to move.
De-Hummer
Targets mains hum and its harmonics — a specific restoration problem the analyzer can help reveal.
Noise Reduction
Treats broader noise patterns; use the analyzer as supporting evidence, not as a substitute for the plug-in's own detection/listening workflow.
Blackmagic has documented the Fairlight Frequency Analyzer as part of its audio-post toolset. The exact Full Spectrum, 20 Hz–24 kHz scale and Spectrum/Waterfall controls shown here are taken from the supplied live Resolve 21 interface. Current Resolve 21 documentation remains the version reference.