How to Add Fades to a Recording
Updated October 2026
A fade is a short, smooth change in level at the start or end of a clip. It removes the abrupt start and stop that make a clip sound cut off.
The short version
- Add a short fade in to the start and a fade out to the end.
- Keep the fade short for speech, longer for music.
- Fades are for the edges; do not use them to hide a bad cut in the middle.
- In Multitrack, fades are set by dragging the handles at the start and end of a clip.
Why fades matter
A recording that starts or stops at full level sounds abrupt. A fade in softens the start, and a fade out softens the end, so the piece feels finished rather than chopped off.
How long
For speech, a fade of a fraction of a second at the start and a little longer at the end is usually enough. For music, a few seconds is common. Listen to it: the fade should be hard to notice.
In Tunedzy
In Multitrack, each clip has fade handles at its start and end. Drag them to set the length of the fade. Play the clip to check the edges.
When not to fade
A fade in the middle of speech sounds like a dip. For a cut in the middle, use a short crossfade between the two pieces instead, as the crossfade guide explains.
Smooth starts and endings
Multitrack in Tunedzy gives each clip fade handles, so you can shape the start and end of a clip directly.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
How long should a fade be?
Short for speech, longer for music. Listen rather than measure.
Does a fade change the loudness?
Only at the edges. The middle of the clip keeps its level.
Should every clip have a fade?
Clips at the start and end of a piece usually do. Cuts in the middle use crossfades.
Keep going
How to Crossfade Two Recordings
How to Trim Silence From a RecordingHow to Normalize Audio the Right WayAll guides and comparisons · Tunedzy Go on your phone · Pricing