Couldn't run DaVinci Resolve on your laptop? You might be able to now, with Blackmagic's announcement today that the company has made processing 10x faster through CPU and GPU optimizations. Not only that—Blackmagic is dropping the price of the software from $999 to a $299 license and doing away with those pesky dongles.
Most importantly, with Blackmagic's acquisition of Fairlight, a time-tested audio technology, DaVinci Resolve 14 is built to be a powerful post-production audio tool for film and broadcast. Basic features include sound editing, mixing and routing, professional bussing and multi-format mastering to 3D audio formats like 5.1, 7.1 Dolby and 22.2.
"The state of the art, super low latency audio engine is designed to work with 192kHz 96-bit audio and delivers up to 1,000 tracks with real time EQ, dynamics processing and plug-ins on every track when used with the Fairlight Audio Accelerator. Plus the new Fairlight audio can record up to 96 channels while simultaneously playing back up to 150 audio channels, while mixing it all in real time! There simply is no other software available with this level of dedicated audio power."
Fairlight 2-Bay Console Running DaVinci Resolve 14
This iteration of Resolve, what Blackmagic is calling "the biggest release in the history of the product," aims to encourage filmmakers and post-production professionals to be able to work together all in one environment.
Here's a quick look at some of the features announced so far:
- Multitrack timeline for subframe editing of audio, down to sample level
- Work with up to 1,000 tracks with Fairlight Audio Accelerator Card
- Without accelerator card, up to 60 tracks in real time
- Mixer with several main, sub and aux buses for mastering and delivering
- Every channel features real time 6 band parametric EQ
- Clip time warping without shifting pitch
- Parameter automation
- Monitoring can handle buses up to 24 channels wide
- Monitoring on up to 16 different sets of speakers
- Better threading and CPU pipelining
- Lower Latency
- Faster UI refresh rates
- Support for Apple Metal
- New slip and slide trim commands for editors
- For colorists, 20 new Resolve FX filters
In addition to making DaVinci Resolve 14 better software for audio professionals, Blackmagic also announced new modules and functionality for the URSA Mini Pro:
Bluetooth Capability: The Bluetooth tech in the camera has lain dormant until now. With Blackmagic's new app, users can now control settings and make notes remotely. This is ideal for situations where the camera is in high (jib, crane) or low (underwater) places.
SSD Module: This module allows direct recording to your choice of approved SSDs for improved workflow with RAW files. The URSA Mini Pro is now capable of flexibly recording to CFast 2.0, SD UHS and SSD, making it one of the most versatile cameras on the market in terms of media. The module attaches flush in between the back of the camera body and the battery plate, and is powered by the camera itself.
URSA Mini Pro SSD Module
Native Nikon Mount: Building its repertoire of native mount options, the URSA Mini Pro has added Nikon to the list. The mount is a dumb mount—meaning no electronic communication between camera and lens (for aperture, etc)—but is ideal for the oft-used manual Ai Nikons.
All in all, a pretty good NAB for Blackmagic. Can't argue with these huge improvements and price drop for DaVinci, and continued support and improvements to what we think is their best camera yet. A public beta of DaVinci Resolve 14 will be available today on the Blackmagic website. Stay tuned this week for an in-depth video on the new audio features in DaVinci Resolve 14.
No Film School's complete coverage of NAB 2017 is brought to you by My RØDE Reel, Vimeo 360, and Blackmagic Design.
