Relative Fades vs Absolute Fades
When creating cues that fade up or down audio you might know by how much the volume should lower, but know that the original volume might change. This is when a different format of fading comes in handy, it’s called a “Relative Fade” in contrast to absolute fade.
Once you’ve added a fade cue and applied the target you can select the style or format of fading: Absolute or Relative.
Absolute fades fade to a certain value. Every time. If you set your fade cue to fade to -10dB it’ll fade the cue to -10dB no matter what if it’s current at 0dB or -20dB. Fade up? Fade down? Don’t care, fade to -10dB.
Relative fades fade by a certain value. Every time. If you set your fade cue to fade by -6dB, it’ll fade down by that amount. If the cue is currently at 0dB, it’ll fade to -6dB. Hit it again and it’ll go down to -12dB. Again, -18dB.
Which one is right and which one is better? Well it really depends on your situation and your need but having both options makes for some very powerful possibilities.
Assignment
Change the previous lesson’s fade down and up cues to relative fades rather than absolute fades.
Were You Listening?
What type of fade fades to a certain level no matter what the current audio level is?
Answer
Absolute fade.