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How to create speed ramps and variable speed changes in DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve lets you create variable speed changes and speed ramps using the retime controls and curve editor. This guide covers constant speed changes, variable ramps, optical flow, and the Speed Warp feature in Studio.

How do you create speed changes in DaVinci Resolve?

To create a speed change in DaVinci Resolve, right-click a clip on the timeline, select "Retime Controls" from the context menu, and a speed bar appears at the top of the clip. Drag the speed bar left to speed up the clip or right to slow it down. The clip duration changes to reflect the new speed, and the speed percentage is displayed on the clip.

For a constant speed change, enter the desired percentage directly in the speed bar — 50% for half-speed slow motion, 200% for double-speed fast motion. Resize the clip by dragging its edges while holding the Retime Controls enabled to change speed by adjusting duration.

DaVinci Resolve supports three retime methods: Nearest Frame (fastest, lowest quality), Frame Blend (good for moderate speed changes), and Optical Flow (best quality, most processing required). DaVinci Resolve Studio adds Speed Warp for advanced motion-estimated retiming with the highest quality.

For more DaVinci Resolve tips, read our guide on DaVinci Resolve AI Tools for Colorists and Editors.

How do you create a variable speed ramp in DaVinci Resolve?

A speed ramp changes playback speed over time — starting at normal speed, slowing down for a key moment, then returning to normal. To create one, enable Retime Controls on the clip. Ctrl-click (Windows) or Cmd-click (Mac) on the speed bar to add speed points. Drag the segments between speed points to different speeds.

The graphical curve editor provides finer control. Click the curve icon on the retime control bar to open the speed curve editor. The curve shows clip position on the vertical axis versus time on the horizontal axis. A straight 45-degree line represents constant speed. Steeper sections represent faster playback. Flatter sections represent slower playback.

Adjust the curve handles to create smooth acceleration and deceleration between speed changes. Linear transitions between speeds look mechanical. S-curve transitions — gradual ease-in and ease-out — create natural-feeling speed changes.

For a dramatic slow-motion effect on a highlight moment, place speed points at the start and end of the moment, drag the segment between them to 20-40% speed, and adjust the curve handles to create smooth transitions into and out of the slow motion.

Speed ramp use cases by content type

| Content type | Speed ramp pattern | Suggested speed | Retime method |

|---|---|---|---|

| Action sports | Normal → slow on trick → normal | 20-40% | Speed Warp (Studio) or Optical Flow |

| Interview highlight | Normal → slow on key quote → normal | 60-80% | Optical Flow |

| Music video | Match beat with speed changes | Variable | Frame Blend |

| Product demo | Normal → slow on feature reveal → normal | 50-70% | Optical Flow |

| Cinematic transition | Fast motion into scene, slow down on arrival | 200% → 50% | Optical Flow |

How does Speed Warp differ from Optical Flow in DaVinci Resolve Studio?

Speed Warp is an advanced retiming algorithm available in DaVinci Resolve Studio. It uses motion estimation to create new frames that were not present in the original footage, producing smoother slow motion than Optical Flow in challenging footage.

| Retime method | Quality | Processing speed | Best for |

|---|---|---|---|

| Nearest Frame | Lowest | Fastest | Fast preview, dramatic stop-motion effect |

| Frame Blend | Moderate | Fast | Moderate speed changes (50-80%) |

| Optical Flow | High | Moderate | Most slow-motion work |

| Speed Warp (Studio) | Highest | Slowest | Complex motion, challenging footage |

Speed Warp is particularly effective for footage with complex motion patterns that confuse Optical Flow — fast-moving subjects, repetitive patterns, or high-contrast edges. It analyzes motion vectors more comprehensively and generates cleaner intermediate frames.

Apply Speed Warp from the inspector when a clip has a speed change applied. Select the clip, open the inspector, and in the Retime section, choose "Speed Warp" from the Retime Process dropdown. Adjust the Motion Estimation settings to balance quality and processing time.

How does pre-editing upstream help with speed ramps?

Speed ramps work best on select clips within a timeline — not on hours of raw footage. Applying speed changes to unedited footage wastes time processing retime effects on clips that will be cut.

When you pre-edit footage in Cutsio, you identify and highlight the specific moments that deserve the dramatic treatment — the winning goal, the key quote, the product reveal. Export an EDL with only those selects into DaVinci Resolve, and apply speed ramps only to the clips that matter.

FAQ

Is Speed Warp available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

No. Speed Warp is exclusive to DaVinci Resolve Studio. The free version offers Nearest Frame, Frame Blend, and Optical Flow retime methods.

Can I apply a speed ramp to an entire timeline?

Apply speed changes to individual clips, not the entire timeline. For timeline-wide speed adjustment, nest the timeline or use the retime controls on a compound clip.

Does changing clip speed affect audio pitch?

By default, Resolve preserves audio pitch during speed changes. Disable pitch correction in the inspector if you want the audio to speed up or slow down naturally.

How do I reverse a clip in DaVinci Resolve?

Enable Retime Controls, right-click the speed bar, and select "Reverse." The clip plays backward at its original speed.

Can I keyframe speed changes in the curve editor?

Yes. The curve editor provides full keyframe control over speed. Add keyframes along the speed curve and adjust handles for precise timing.