We have been unable to find a pro quality audio interface that works with Resolve 16 [and now on 17 as well] on Windows. Note that Fairlight hardware is overkill for us, and UltraStudio is not sufficient for our audio needs does not record audio input only.
The Resolve manual says:
Yet this is not true. We have tried a bunch of different WDM devices, and Resolve does not see them as valid inputs in the Patch panel, even when they work in every other DAW and app on the system, all without ASIO.
When we tried a Universal Audio device and showed an engineer that Resolve could not see it, he said, "It's like you cannot wear Nike shoes!" since UA is so widespread in the market.
When we reported this, Blackmagic told us:
As you will see below, we are using a WDM device, but Resolve does not see it.
In our search for a functioning interface, we have been emailing our vendor along with tech support at Apogee, Universal Audio, and others, all of whom are perplexed by Resolve's inability to recognize basic audio inputs from the major interfaces.
One engineer at Apogee wrote to us:
But then he tested it with Resolve, and it didnt work. He then said:
I cannot even put into words how bizarre this is,* but ultimately, we just need a solution that works. Can anyone confirm full functionality of pro quality (~$500-1000 US) audio interface?
* EDIT: OK, here are the words: I am glad for the Fairlight functionality added to Resolve, but how can we use it if Resolve cannot use mainstream pro interfaces? This seems contradictory. Currently the only way we can use a quality audio interface is to record audio (VO for instance) in a separate DAW, which seems absurd given that Fairlight should be able to do everything we need.
The Resolve manual says:
The audio processing throughout DaVinci Resolve, including on the Fairlight page and
audio processing using FairlightFX plug-ins, is equally compatible with all platforms
that DaVinci Resolve runs on, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. In particular,
DaVinci Resolve supports audio monitoring and audio input using (i) the audio of a
supported Blackmagic Design I/O device such as an UltraStudio or Decklink,
(ii) your macOS, Windows, or Linux workstation’s on-board audio, (iii) any Core Audio
compatible, Windows compatible, or Advanced Linux Sound Architecture
(ALSA)-supported third-party audio interface.
Yet this is not true. We have tried a bunch of different WDM devices, and Resolve does not see them as valid inputs in the Patch panel, even when they work in every other DAW and app on the system, all without ASIO.
When we tried a Universal Audio device and showed an engineer that Resolve could not see it, he said, "It's like you cannot wear Nike shoes!" since UA is so widespread in the market.
When we reported this, Blackmagic told us:
"DaVinci Resolve does not support ASIO. For third party devices on Windows only WDM is supported."
As you will see below, we are using a WDM device, but Resolve does not see it.
In our search for a functioning interface, we have been emailing our vendor along with tech support at Apogee, Universal Audio, and others, all of whom are perplexed by Resolve's inability to recognize basic audio inputs from the major interfaces.
One engineer at Apogee wrote to us:
Symphony Desktop will work perfectly with WDM. The ASIO driver is an optional additional thing, if a specific DAW needs it, but won't negatively affect your use WDM if you don't use it.
But then he tested it with Resolve, and it didnt work. He then said:
I have my Symphony Desktop working here with all other programs on the computer, which use WDM, like basic recorders, but Resolve doesn't even seen inputs available. It also doesn't have any area in the Preferences to even select your overall input device, only output.
Based on the BlackMagic Forum Thread I linked above looks like they also have issues with Audio Input in the MacOS version. So again, not an issue of WDM here, but an issue about their software addressing an input device at all, even a WDM device.
So I think you should really contact BlackMagic support about DaVinci Resolve using other brand audio interfaces. I believe they have a software issue that needs to be addressed to use basic audio cards.
I cannot even put into words how bizarre this is,* but ultimately, we just need a solution that works. Can anyone confirm full functionality of pro quality (~$500-1000 US) audio interface?
* EDIT: OK, here are the words: I am glad for the Fairlight functionality added to Resolve, but how can we use it if Resolve cannot use mainstream pro interfaces? This seems contradictory. Currently the only way we can use a quality audio interface is to record audio (VO for instance) in a separate DAW, which seems absurd given that Fairlight should be able to do everything we need.
Last edited by Matt White on Fri Aug 20, 2021 12:43 pm, edited 7 times in total.