How to Export Audio Tracks From DaVinci Resolve

Export audio from DaVinci Resolve by selecting File > Export Audio, choosing your format and location, then clicking Export

DaVinci Resolve lets you pull audio out of your project in several ways depending on what you need. The simplest route is to export the entire mixed audio as a single file. A more detailed approach lets you export individual tracks separately — useful if you want to send drums to one person, vocals to another, or keep your background music separate from dialogue. Both methods start in the same menu but branch depending on your goal.

The export process takes the same amount of time whether you're saving one track or twelve, but the file size and format you choose will affect how long the export actually runs. A stereo MP3 exports faster than a 24-bit WAV file, and exporting one track is faster than exporting all of them at once.

Key Takeaways

Go to File > Export Audio to open the export window, where you can choose format, sample rate, and bit depth before saving.
Export your mixed stereo output by selecting "Master" as your source, which combines all tracks into one file.
Export individual tracks by selecting each track name separately, which creates a different file for each one you choose.
WAV format preserves the highest quality but creates larger files; MP3 is smaller but loses some audio information during compression.
Set your sample rate to match your project (usually 48 kHz for video, 44.1 kHz for music) to avoid quality loss or playback issues.

Exporting your mixed master audio

The most common export is your finished mix — all tracks blended together into one stereo file. Open your project in DaVinci Resolve, go to File in the top menu, and click Export Audio. A window will open showing your export settings.

In the export window, look for the "Source" dropdown, which usually defaults to "Master" or "Stereo Out". This is what you want if you're exporting your final mix. Below that, you'll see format options: WAV, MP3, AAC, and others depending on your version. WAV keeps all the audio information and is best if you plan to edit the file later or need broadcast quality. MP3 is smaller and plays on any device, but the compression removes some audio detail you can't get back. Choose based on what you'll do with the file next.

Set your sample rate (usually 48 kHz for video projects, 44.1 kHz for music) and bit depth (16-bit for MP3 or streaming, 24-bit for archiving or further editing). Click the folder icon to choose where to save the file, give it a name, then click Export. The progress bar will show you how long it's taking — a two-hour project typically exports in a few minutes depending on your computer.

Exporting individual tracks separately

If you need to send tracks to collaborators or mix them elsewhere, you can export each one as its own file. In the same File > Export Audio window, click the "Source" dropdown and instead of selecting "Master", select the name of the track you want — for example, "Dialogue 1" or "Music". The export window will now show only that track's audio.

Choose your format and settings the same way as the master export, then click Export. DaVinci will save that single track. To export the next track, go back to File > Export Audio, change the Source dropdown to the next track name, and repeat. This creates separate files for each track, which you can then send to other people or import into a different program.

A faster method if you have many tracks: some versions of DaVinci let you select multiple tracks at once by holding Shift or Ctrl while clicking track names, then export them all in one operation. Check your version's File menu to see if this option appears.

Choosing the right audio format for your needs

WAV files are uncompressed, meaning they contain all the audio information your project recorded. They're larger — a stereo WAV file takes up roughly 10 MB per minute at CD quality — but they're the standard for professional audio work, archiving, and any situation where you might edit the file later. Use WAV if you're sending tracks to a mixing engineer, archiving your project, or exporting for broadcast.

MP3 uses compression to shrink file size to about 1 MB per minute, making it ideal for sharing, uploading, or playing on phones and computers. The trade-off is that MP3 removes audio information during compression, and you can't recover it. Once you export as MP3, that quality loss is permanent. Use MP3 for rough cuts, client reviews, or any situation where small file size matters more than perfect audio quality.

AAC is similar to MP3 but slightly more efficient — it sounds better at the same file size. It's the default format for iTunes and Apple devices. FLAC is a newer format that compresses without losing quality, but not all devices play it. Stick with WAV or MP3 unless you have a specific reason to use something else.

Sample rate and bit depth explained

Sample rate is how many times per second DaVinci measures the audio wave. 44.1 kHz (44,100 times per second) is the standard for music CDs and streaming. 48 kHz is the standard for video and broadcast. Higher rates like 96 kHz capture more detail but create larger files and are rarely necessary unless you're working in professional studios. Match your export sample rate to your project's sample rate — if your project is 48 kHz, export at 48 kHz. Mismatching causes the audio to play at the wrong speed or pitch.

Bit depth is how much information is stored for each sample. 16-bit is standard for CDs, streaming, and MP3. 24-bit captures more detail and is used in professional recording and mastering. For most purposes, 16-bit is fine. Use 24-bit only if you're archiving the file or sending it to a professional audio engineer who specifically requests it.

Troubleshooting common export problems

If your export stops or fails, check that you have enough free space on your hard drive — a large project can need several gigabytes. If the file exports but sounds wrong (too quiet, distorted, or at the wrong speed), verify that your project's sample rate matches your export settings. Open File > Project Settings and check the audio sample rate, then re-export using the same rate.

If you export as MP3 but the file won't play, your computer may not have an MP3 codec installed, or the file didn't finish writing. Try exporting as WAV instead to rule out a format problem. If only one track is silent when you export it, check that the track's volume isn't turned all the way down in the mixer — look at the fader on the right side of the timeline.

DaVinci sometimes requires you to render the timeline before exporting if you've made recent changes. If export seems stuck, press Escape to cancel, then go to Workspace > Render Cache and choose "Render All". This forces DaVinci to process all effects and transitions, then try exporting again.

Exporting for specific uses

For YouTube or social media, export as MP3 or AAC at 48 kHz and 16-bit. These platforms compress audio anyway, so high-quality formats waste space. For a podcast, MP3 at 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps bitrate is standard — this keeps file size small while sounding acceptable on phones and podcast apps. For a film festival or broadcast submission, export as WAV at 48 kHz and 24-bit unless the festival specifies otherwise.

If you're sending stems (individual tracks) to a mixing engineer, export each track as WAV at your project's native sample rate and 24-bit. Label each file clearly — "Dialogue.wav", "Music.wav", "Effects.wav" — so the engineer knows what they're working with. If you're creating a backup of your project, export the master as WAV at the highest quality your project supports, then store it alongside your project file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export multiple tracks at the same time without doing them one by one?

Some versions of DaVinci Resolve support batch exporting by selecting multiple tracks before opening the export window. Check your File menu — if you see an option for "Export Multiple Tracks" or similar, you can select several tracks at once using Ctrl+Click (or Cmd+Click on Mac) and export them all in one operation. If your version doesn't have this, you'll need to export each track separately.

What's the difference between exporting audio and exporting video with audio?

Exporting audio only saves just the sound, which is what File > Export Audio does. Exporting video saves the video file with audio mixed in, which you do through File > Export Video. Use Export Audio when you only need the sound, or when you want to send audio to someone else for mixing. Use Export Video when you're finished and need the complete video file.

Why does my exported audio sound quieter than it does in DaVinci?

Check your master fader level on the right side of the timeline — if it's turned down, the export will be quieter. Also check that no limiter or compressor is reducing the volume. If the audio clips or distorts during export, your levels are too high; lower the master fader and try again. You can also use the loudness meter in DaVinci to see exactly how loud your mix is before exporting.

Can I export just a portion of my timeline instead of the whole project?

Yes. Before opening File > Export Audio, select the section of timeline you want by clicking and dragging to highlight it. Then open Export Audio — DaVinci will export only the selected portion. If you don't select anything, it exports the entire timeline.

What format should I use if I want to edit the audio in another program later?

Export as WAV at your project's sample rate and 24-bit depth. WAV is the standard format for audio editing software like Audacity, Adobe Audition, and Pro Tools. It preserves all the audio information so you can edit without quality loss. Avoid MP3 for this purpose because the compression makes editing difficult and degrades quality further.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.