Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 19 Adds Major AI Tools

April 15 2024, 00:35
Even before NAB 2024 opened in Las Vegas, Blackmagic Design announced DaVinci Resolve 19, a major new update to its software suite which adds new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, over 100 feature upgrades such as IntelliTrack AI, Ultra NR noise reduction, multi source editing, new Fairlight AI audio panning to video, ducker track FX, and ambisonic surround sound, plus new features in Blackmagic Cloud for large customers. DaVinci Resolve 19 public beta is available for download now from the Blackmagic Design web site.
 

DaVinci Resolve 19 introduces powerful new DaVinci Neural Engine AI tools and over 100 feature upgrades. Editors can work directly with transcribed audio to find speakers and edit timeline clips. In Fairlight, the IntelliTrack AI can be used to track motion and automatically pan audio. The cut page has new broadcast replay tools for live multi camera broadcast editing, playout and replay with speed control.

DaVinci Resolve 19 (public beta available now) is a major new update which improves considerably the audio features that the company has been building in the Fairlight area of the suite. Those include a new, fully integrated native Ambisonics workflow and support for Sony 360RA Walkmix audio formats and plugin, vital for immersive audio and spatial applications, together with the ability to sidechain VST3 and AU audio effects and support for dynamic delay compensation with AU plugins. 

The new software now offers automatic binaural rendering of immersive formats. The Dolby Atmos deliverable toolset has been expanded to support rendering of a binaural output from a complex Dolby Atmos mix. Now a Dolby 7.1.4 mix can be rendered to playback in a pair of headphones while maintaining the immersive sound experience from just two audio channels.

For music production there are now new Music Remixer FX to remix voice, drums, bass, guitar and other sources, while the post-production users gained the new Dialogue Separator FX to separate dialogue, background and ambience, and a ducker track FX for auto level management of beds against dialogue.
 

On the AI front, the DaVinci Neural Engine can classify audio clips based on their content, making editing choices faster when reviewing unfamiliar materials. After analysis, audio clips appear in collections bins for dialogue, music and effects with detailed sub categories such as explosions, water or insects.

This release includes major improvements to existing tools, which are not always obvious. As an example, the Voice Isolation feature supports true stereo and improved buffering, the Dialogue Leveler has improved with faster cue up time, and there is an improved frequency analyzer displays for spectrum and waterfall options. There are also multiple improvements for native FX processing, and multiple automation improvements, as well as subtle things like support for panning in groups, support for clip head and tail snapping in focus mode, support for zoom to fit for timeline view, LTC and MTC chase, and more.

Obviously, Blackmagic also launched many new hardware products, basically expanding its existing range, from a new 12K cinema camera, all the way to more intelligent and compact multiform converters. On the audio hardware front, there’s a new Blackmagic Audio Monitor 12G G3 (US$1,295; available in June), a powerful new model of its extremely popular rack mount audio monitoring solution. The new 12G G3 model features a 10G Ethernet SMPTE-2110 IP video input so users can connect to IP broadcast systems without an external converter. Plus, it also includes a large audio meter with accurate ballistics, 12G-SDI input, traditional balanced analog XLR, HiFi, AES/EBU audio inputs and HDMI video output.
 
Blackmagic Cloud Store Max (US$6,495; available in May) now expands with new 1RU models of network storage. Cloud Store Max features extremely high performance flash storage, with 24 and 48TB models, 12 card RAID 0 flash memory core, 4 x 10G Ethernet, 100G Ethernet, USB-C and Blackmagic Cloud sync for distributing files globally.
 

The new Organizations app in Blackmagic Cloud enables larger companies to define a single organization or company. Now users can create groups or teams and quickly share projects to an entire group rather than one by one. Users can also manage storage access, share Presentations, and create a single sign on. It also lets companies buy or rent DaVinci Resolve Studio licenses. This makes it easier for companies to assign and manage the allocation of licenses within large groups. Licenses can be costed against specific projects and then removed when the project is complete.

For editors, improvements to the transcription workflow make it possible to edit clips based on the transcribed text directly on the timeline. The analyzer is now able to detect multiple voices, allowing users to assign names to different speakers and refine text based search and text replacement operations.

The cut page now supports realtime selection of live camera recordings for instant replay to air with slow motion and stingers. The new multi source viewer lets users see all their live cameras, or even just clips with a common timecode, in a single multiview screen. Users can scrub, play and select shots to add to the timeline or simply play to air. They can even switch live from any of the available angles.

The new IntelliTrack AI is powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine, and can also be used in Fairlight to automatically generate precision audio panning by tracking people or objects as they move across 2D and 3D spaces. With AI audio panning to video, users can quickly pan multiple actors in a scene, controlling their voice positions in the mix environment. The AI based dialogue separator FX lets users rebalance dialogue against background sound and the reverberant sound of the room. It also includes controls for voice, background and ambience so users can reduce, remix or remove competing sounds. It’s perfect for field recordings and interviews in busy locations.
 

The ducker track FX lets one track auto adjust the level of another track without the need for setting up complex side chain compression or automation curves. Users can automatically set music or background noise to lower when dialog is present, then fine tune the audio mix with advanced controls. The music remixer track FX lets customers adjust music to fit with the style of their show. Controls include mute and level adjustments for voice, drums, base, guitar and more. Users can turn a vocal piece into an instrumental, automate changes and refocus the music mix to the instruments customers want to hear.

Fairlight now has fully integrated Ambisonic native operation with 1st to 5th order busses and tracks, native effects processing, 2D and 3D spherical panning, binaural and channel based monitoring, dynamic in-viewer metering and head tracking support.

“This is an exciting new release with tools that have been specifically designed for high end digital film customers as well as Blackmagic Cloud integration for large customers," says Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “The new Intellitrack AI is powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine and optimizes tracking and stabilization in the color and Fusion pages, as well as audio panning in Fairlight. There’s a new grading palette for colorists as well as new Resolve FX, enhanced USD tools and multipoly rotoscoping for VFX and new AI Fairlight FX, plus new tools which make digital film quality available to live broadcasters. It’s exciting and I can’t wait to hear how customers use all these amazing new features.”

DaVinci Resolve 19 public beta is available now for download from the Blackmagic Design web site.
www.blackmagicdesign.com
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