How do you make music fade out?
A fade out is a common technique in music production where the volume of a song is gradually decreased until it reaches silence. This gives the illusion that the music is slowly fading away into the distance. Fade outs have been an integral part of popular music since the 1960s when bands like The Beatles popularised their use.
According to the Wikipedia article on Fade (audio engineering), fade outs serve an important purpose in pieces of music that have no obvious ending. By fading the song out, it provides a satisfying sense of resolution and completion rather than an abrupt stop. Fade outs also allow the song’s emotions to taper off gradually rather than ending suddenly.
In summary, fade outs are an important music production technique because they provide a smooth and natural way to end a song. Fading out gives listeners closure while also leaving them wanting more.
Adjust the Volume Envelope
A volume envelope enables gradually fading in or out an audio event or clip. You can adjust the envelope to create a custom fade curve. On a digital audio workstation like Cubase or Nuendo, select the audio event or clip, then in the Inspector panel enable Volume Envelope. An envelope line will appear on the clip. By dragging the line down at the end of the clip, you create a fade out. The slope of the line determines how quickly or slowly the fade occurs. Adjust the shape of the line to fine tune the fade out curve. Using envelopes gives precise control over the fade out.
According to Steinberg’s documentation, “Fades allow you to gradually increase or decrease the volume at the start or end of audio events or audio clips, and to create smooth transitions.” Volume envelopes provide an automated way to adjust the fade in Cubase, Nuendo, and other DAWs.
Use Crossfades
Crossfading is a simple and effective way to fade the volume between two audio clips. To crossfade between clips:
1. In your audio editing software, arrange the two clips end-to-end on the timeline so they overlap slightly.
2. Highlight the overlapping section.
3. Apply a crossfade transition by selecting the “Crossfade” option in your editing software. This will fade out the first clip while simultaneously fading in the second clip in the overlapping section.
4. Adjust the crossfade duration to your liking. Shorter crossfades happen more quickly, while longer ones blend the clips together more gradually.
5. The audio will now seamlessly transition between the two clips. The crossfade causes the first clip to fade out to silence while the second clip fades in from silence in the overlapping area.
Crossfading is commonly used in music production and audio editing to create smooth transitions between song sections or mix audio tracks. It prevents jarring volume changes between clips during playback.
According to Descript.com, crossfading “makes one audio clip fade out as the next clip simultaneously fades in.” Crossfades can be applied in most digital audio workstations, like Audacity, GarageBand, Logic Pro, and more.
Automate the Master Volume
One of the most straightforward ways to fade out a mix is to automate the volume on the master channel. This will gradually lower the volume of your entire song over a set period of time. To do this in your DAW:
1. Add an automation lane to your master channel fader.
2. Create a volume automation point at the time where you want the fade to start. Set this to 0db.
3. Create another point at the time you want the fade to end. Set this to the volume level you want the song to fade out to, likely around -inf db.
The DAW will automatically draw a fade curve between these two points, gradually lowering the master volume over time. This is an easy way to quickly add fade outs to your mixes. Just make sure the automation is written to the master channel at the end of your mixdown for the fade to apply to your final export.
As an example, on the Ableton forum on Reddit, one user recommends routing all your tracks to a “pre master” group track, then applying the volume automation to fade out the entire group. This keeps things organized and applies the fade evenly across your mix (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/ableton/comments/e5x4of/master_channel_automation_aka_song_fade_out_how/).
Use Effects Plugins
Using effects plugins is a great way to create smooth, professional-sounding fade outs in your music productions. Here are some tips for fading out with effects:
Add a reverb plugin to your track and automate the wet/dry mix to increase the reverb over time. This will make the track sound like it’s receding into the distance. Popular reverb plugins include PurestFade, ValhallaRoom, and Logic’s built-in plugins.
Use a delay plugin and increase the feedback and delay time over time. As you increase these parameters, the delays will take longer to fade out, creating a fade out effect. Delay designer in Logic is great for crafting creative fade outs.
Sidechain compress your track to a noise source that fades out. As the sidechain signal fades, the compression amount will decrease, causing the volume to fade. This creates a very natural fade out effect.
Automate an EQ plugin to gradually filter out frequencies over time. For example, you can use a low-pass filter to slowly remove treble frequencies, imitating a fade out.
The key with effects is automating parameters over time to create a smooth, gradual fade rather than an abrupt volume change. Get creative with stacking effects like reverbs, delays, filtering, and compression to fade your track out professionally.
Fade Out Vocals
There are several techniques singers can use to fade out vocals for a smooth, professional sound:
Singers can utilize breath control and support to gently taper off vocal volume and intensity at the end of phrases. As they get softer, singers should maintain an open throat and engaged vocal cords to keep the tone steady until fading completely to silence (source). This creates a natural, gradual fade out.
Drawing the microphone away as you sing softer is another simple technique. Moving the mic further from the mouth lowers the volume and adds distance to the vocal. Combining this mic technique with breath support helps vocals fade smoothly (source).
In the studio, vocalists can record multiple takes fading out at different times and layer the takes for a fuller fade out. Automating the vocal volume down over time is also an option. Using effects like reverb can extend the tail of vocals to help them fade out.
Fade Out Instruments
When fading out a mix, it’s common practice to fade different instruments at different rates. This helps maintain clarity and prevent instruments from abruptly cutting out or overlapping oddly. Here are some tips for fading out specific instruments:
Vocals: Start fading out vocals early on, as vocals are very prominent and noticeable if they suddenly drop out. Reduce vocal volume gradually over the last 30-60 seconds of a song.
Guitar: Fade out rhythm guitars early as well, starting 50-90 seconds from the end. This helps prevent a muddy/crowded fadeout. Lead guitars can stay prominent longer to sustain energy.
Bass: Let the bass fade out more gradually, starting 20-30 seconds from the end. The bass groove helps drive the fadeout rhythm.
Drums: Fade drums later but swiftly, cutting their volume sharply over the last 10-15 seconds. This sudden drop prevents drums from sounding disconnected at the very end.
Piano, strings, horns: Sustain these instruments close to the end before fading, letting their natural decay ring out. They help maintain a sense of completion.
Following these tips ensures each instrument completes its role naturally in the fadeout, rather than conflicting or cutting off awkwardly.
Creative Uses
Fades can be utilized in creative ways beyond simply ending a song. For example, some producers use fades to create a swelling or pumping effect on specific instruments or vocals. This can help add dynamics and interest to otherwise static parts. Subtle fades on percussive elements like shakers, hi-hats or snares can create rhythmic pulses. Automating fades on synth pads, guitar lines or vocals can make them sound more expressive. Fades can also be automated on delay and reverb effects for transitions. Using volume automation in creative ways allows producers to get more mileage out of basic parts.
One unique technique is using abrupt “choppy” fades rather than gradual ones. This can create almost a stuttering or glitch effect. Some genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music utilize these choppy fades for interest and rhythmic variations. While traditional fades taper off, creative fades can fluctuate in volume for unique textures.
Essentially, creative fades are all about experimentation. Producers can discover new ways to add dynamics and movement with fades rather than always using them to end a song. This opens up many possibilities for production techniques and sound design.
Common Mistakes When Fading Out
When fading out music, there are some common mistakes to avoid:
Cutting out the fade too soon – If you cut off the fade out too early, the ending can sound abrupt and unnatural. Most fades should last at least 4-8 seconds to smoothly bring the volume down.
Fading out at an inappropriate time – The fade out should complement the arrangement and genre. Fading out in the middle of a vocal line or before a chorus ends can sound disjointed.
Overusing fade outs – While effective in moderation, fading out every song can become predictable. Use fades intentionally for specific songs and effects.
Fading out all instruments equally – For interest, fade some instruments like pads and reverbs earlier than leads and drums.
Boosting the master volume during the fade – Increasing the master volume as you fade out cancels out the fade and keeps the volume constant. Lower the master volume gradually instead.
Not automating other parameters – Along with volume, automate EQ, filters, and effects when fading out for a more natural exit.
Fading out vocals awkwardly – Vocals often sound best fading slightly before instruments. Fade vocals during a break or sustain rather than mid-lyric.
According to music production tips from Native Instruments, TakeTones, and others, avoiding these fade out mistakes will lead to more professional-sounding mixes.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several effective techniques for fading out music, including using volume automation, crossfades, plugins, and adjusting volume envelopes. The ideal fade out duration and shape will depend on the genre, song structure, and creative intent. Most popular songs end with fade outs of 10-30 seconds. When executing a fade, start gradually and increase the slope as you near the end for a natural sound. Automate the master track volume rather than individual tracks. Crossfade between sections carefully to avoid clashing frequencies. Use EQ and reverb effects to smooth the transition. Vocals and lead melodies often sound best with longer, gradual fades compared to background instruments. With practice and listening back critically, you can master smooth, professional-sounding fade outs that serve the song.
The key tips to remember are:
- Automate master volume rather than tracks
- Adjust fade durations based on song and genre
- Use crossfades and effects for natural fades
- Fade vocals and leads slower than other instruments
- Increase fade slope gradually as you near the end
- Listen back to ensure a smooth, natural fade out