DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro: Don't make a HUGE mistake!

Summary

This video script explores the debate between switching to DaVinci Resolve or sticking with Final Cut Pro for video editing. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms, including color grading, interface, workflow, and audio editing capabilities. The speaker also touches on the importance of not limiting oneself to a single tool and the need to adapt to the best tool for the job, concluding with a call to action for Premiere Pro to innovate or risk obsolescence.

Takeaways

• 🌐 DaVinci Resolve is gaining popularity among video professionals due to its powerful features, but it's also known for its complexity.
• 🔧 The speaker uses DaVinci Resolve alongside other tools like Final Cut Pro and Avid for various client needs, highlighting the versatility of video editing software.
• 🤔 There's a love-hate relationship with DaVinci Resolve; it offers fantastic tools for color grading, graphics, compositing, and audio but can be frustrating to use due to its technical demands.
• 🔄 The speaker has observed professionals switching between editing platforms like Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve based on their workflow preferences.
• 📚 A detailed comparison is provided between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve, focusing on aspects like color grading, platform compatibility, interface, workflow, and organization.
• 🎨 DaVinci Resolve is renowned for superior color grading capabilities, with industry-standard features that surpass those of Final Cut Pro, although plugins are available to enhance Final Cut's capabilities.
• 🖥️ Platform compatibility is a key difference, with Final Cut Pro being exclusive to Mac OS and DaVinci Resolve available on multiple platforms, offering more versatility.
• 🛠️ DaVinci Resolve is described as a 'technical creative editing tool' that requires a deeper understanding of post-production technicalities, whereas Final Cut Pro is seen as more user-friendly and streamlined.
• 📈 The script emphasizes the importance of considering one's specific editing needs and the type of content creation (YouTube vs. feature film) when choosing an editing software.
• 💰 DaVinci Resolve offers a free version with rich features and a paid studio version, making it an attractive option for those looking to try professional video editing without a significant financial commitment.
• 📚 Both Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve have a wealth of tutorials and training resources available, aiding new users in mastering the software.
• ❓ The future-proofing of editing software is uncertain, with DaVinci Resolve seeming to be actively developed and improved, while Final Cut Pro's future is less clear.

Q & A

Why are many people switching from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve?

People are switching due to DaVinci Resolve's powerful capabilities, including advanced color grading, audio tools, and integrated post-production features, despite its complexity.

What does the speaker find frustrating about DaVinci Resolve?

The speaker finds DaVinci Resolve frustrating due to its technical complexity and the many deliberate decisions required before starting to edit, which can affect the workflow.

How does the speaker describe the learning curve for DaVinci Resolve?

The speaker describes the learning curve for DaVinci Resolve as potentially huge, with a complex interface and many buttons that can be daunting for beginners.

What is the main difference between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve in terms of user interface?

Final Cut Pro has a more streamlined and intuitive interface, making it easier for beginners, while DaVinci Resolve's interface is more complex with advanced customization options.

Why might a user prefer Final Cut Pro over DaVinci Resolve?

A user might prefer Final Cut Pro for its simplicity, ease of use, and streamlined workflow, especially if they do not require the advanced technical features of DaVinci Resolve.

What platform compatibility does DaVinci Resolve offer that Final Cut Pro does not?

DaVinci Resolve is available on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux, making it more versatile for users working on different platforms compared to Final Cut Pro, which is exclusive to Mac OS.

How does the speaker compare the workflow and organization of Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve?

The speaker finds Final Cut Pro's magnetic timeline to be more efficient for editing, while DaVinci Resolve uses a traditional track-based timeline that can be overwhelming for beginners.

What are some of the built-in features of DaVinci Resolve that make it a powerhouse for post-production?

DaVinci Resolve includes built-in visual effects and motion graphics capabilities through its Fusion module, advanced audio editing with Fairlight, and comprehensive color grading tools.

How does the price of Final Cut Pro compare to DaVinci Resolve?

Final Cut Pro is a one-time purchase of around $300 with a 90-day free trial, while DaVinci Resolve offers a feature-rich free version and a paid studio version for the same price.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of learning multiple editing tools?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of not limiting oneself to a single tool, but learning multiple tools to enhance versatility and efficiency in video editing.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the choice between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve?

The speaker advises trying out both software options to determine which one suits individual needs, preferences, and hardware capabilities best, and not to base the decision solely on ease of use.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 The Dilemma of Switching Video Editing Software

The script discusses the trend of professionals switching from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro, citing the powerful features of Resolve and the simplicity of Final Cut. The author, a video professional, uses multiple editing tools and finds Resolve both frustrating and fantastic due to its complexity and advanced features like color grading and audio tools. The script also touches on the technical challenges of using Resolve, such as setting project parameters that are hard to change later, and contrasts this with Final Cut's more streamlined workflow. The author questions whether the switch to Resolve is permanent and emphasizes the importance of understanding one's editing needs and preferences.

05:00

📚 Comparing Video Editing Platforms: Final Cut Pro vs. DaVinci Resolve

This paragraph delves into the comparison between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve, highlighting key differences in platform compatibility, interface design, workflow organization, and media management. Final Cut Pro is praised for its intuitive interface and magnetic timeline, which simplifies the editing process, while Resolve is noted for its complex interface with advanced customization options. The script also covers the integration of both software with other applications, built-in effects and transitions, and the availability of third-party plugins and templates. Additionally, it discusses the audio editing capabilities of both platforms, with Resolve's Fairlight offering more advanced features but a steeper learning curve compared to Final Cut's simpler approach and integration with Logic Pro.

10:03

💡 The Future of Video Editing: A Look at Tutorials and Software Development

The final paragraph addresses the future-proofing of video editing software, expressing concerns about the development direction of Final Cut Pro and optimism for the continuous improvement of DaVinci Resolve. The author lists numerous tutorial resources available for both software packages, recommending that beginners find and follow tutorials that resonate with them. The script concludes with the assertion that the choice between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve should be based on individual needs and preferences, and encourages users not to limit themselves to a single tool. The author humorously dismisses Premiere Pro as outdated and invites viewers to watch another video discussing its shortcomings.

Keywords

💡DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing software known for its advanced color grading capabilities and comprehensive post-production features. In the video script, it is discussed as a popular choice among video professionals due to its powerful toolset, which includes editing, motion graphics, color correction, and audio post-production. However, it is also noted for its complexity, which can be a barrier for some users.

💡Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro is another leading video editing software from Adobe, often used for professional video production. The script mentions a trend of users switching from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve, indicating a shift in preference among video professionals. The reasons for this switch are explored, including the powerful features and capabilities of Resolve.

💡Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a video editing software exclusive to Mac OS and is highlighted in the script for its user-friendly interface and streamlined workflow. It is positioned as an alternative to DaVinci Resolve, with a focus on ease of use and creative editing, although it may lack some of the advanced technical features found in Resolve.

💡Color Grading

Color grading is the process of altering and enhancing the color of a video to achieve a specific look or mood. DaVinci Resolve is renowned for its industry-standard color grading tools, which are mentioned as a significant draw for video professionals. The script contrasts this with Final Cut Pro, which has color correction features but may require additional plugins for more extensive grading.

💡Complexibility

The term 'complexibility' in the script refers to the idea that with great power or capabilities comes great complexity. This is used to describe DaVinci Resolve's powerful features, which, while beneficial, can also make the software more difficult to use and navigate for some users.

💡Technical Workflow

A technical workflow in video editing involves a deep understanding of color space, media management, project setups, and other technical aspects of post-production. The script discusses DaVinci Resolve as a tool that requires a more technical workflow due to its comprehensive feature set and the need for deliberate decisions before editing.

💡Streamlined Workflow

A streamlined workflow is one that is efficient and easy to navigate, often with automated features that simplify the editing process. The script contrasts the technical workflow of DaVinci Resolve with the streamlined workflow of Final Cut Pro, which is designed to be more intuitive and accessible for users.

💡Media Management

Media management in video editing refers to the organization and handling of video files and assets. Both DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro have their approaches to media management, with Resolve using a traditional bins and folder structure, while Final Cut Pro uses events and keywords. The script suggests that both have their strengths and weaknesses in this area.

💡Fusion

Fusion is a module within DaVinci Resolve that offers visual effects and motion graphics capabilities. The script mentions that many users may skip over the Fusion page due to its complexity, indicating that while it provides advanced features, it may be daunting for those not already familiar with such tools.

💡Fairlight

Fairlight is an advanced audio editing tool within DaVinci Resolve, offering in-depth audio editing and mixing capabilities. The script notes that while Fairlight is superior to Final Cut Pro's basic audio editing features, it also comes with a significant learning curve.

💡Platform Compatibility

Platform compatibility refers to the availability of software across different operating systems. The script points out that DaVinci Resolve is available on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux, making it more versatile for users on different platforms compared to Final Cut Pro, which is exclusive to Mac OS.

Highlights

Switching from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve is becoming a common trend due to Resolve's powerful capabilities.

DaVinci Resolve is complex but offers great tools like magic mask, graphics, compositing, color grading, and audio tools.

The speaker has been using DaVinci Resolve since version 16 and finds it frustrating yet fantastic.

DaVinci Resolve requires deliberate decisions and technical understanding before starting to edit.

Final Cut Pro is simpler and more streamlined, making decisions for the user to regain control later.

DaVinci Resolve is a powerhouse with built-in features for post-production, but its complexity can be a barrier.

Final Cut and DaVinci are on par with rendering and performance, but the process speed is the focus.

DaVinci Resolve is available on multiple platforms, making it more versatile than Final Cut Pro, which is Mac-exclusive.

Final Cut has a more intuitive interface, while DaVinci Resolve's interface is complex with a steep learning curve.

Final Cut uses a magnetic timeline for efficient editing, unlike DaVinci's traditional track-based timeline.

Both Final Cut and DaVinci Resolve have their strengths and weaknesses in media management and organization.

DaVinci Resolve offers built-in visual effects and motion graphics, reducing the need for external software.

Final Cut integrates well with other software and has a growing list of templates and plugins.

DaVinci Resolve's Fairlight offers advanced audio editing, but it has a significant learning curve.

Final Cut has a built-in tracker that is easier to use than DaVinci Resolve's more precise but complicated tracker.

Final Cut and DaVinci Resolve both have a wealth of tutorials available for learning.

DaVinci Resolve offers a free version and a paid studio version, both at $300, making it accessible.

The future-proofing of DaVinci Resolve is strong with continuous updates and optimizations.

Final Cut Pro's future seems uncertain, with a 'good enough' approach that could be risky.

The choice between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve depends on individual needs, preferences, and hardware.

Learning multiple tools is beneficial; limiting oneself to one tool can slow down the creative process.

Premiere Pro is considered outdated and in need of significant changes to stay relevant.

Transcripts

foreign

switching switching

everybody is switching to DaVinci

Resolve and rightfully so or is it most

of the people that I've noticed are

actually switching from Premiere Pro to

DaVinci and honestly that makes sense

resolve is super powerful but you know

what they say with great power comes

great complexibility

as a video professional I do video

content every day I create videos for

clients Brands large and small

businesses editing Motion Graphics 3D

animation you name it so my needs are

pretty hefty and DaVinci Resolve is one

of those tools that I use for client

work along with Final Cut Pro Avid

Premiere Pro specifically for editing

and if you're considering switching to

resolve there are some great reasons to

make the switch but I would say that

there are also great reasons to switch

to or stick with Final Cut Pro it comes

down to which reasons are more

compelling to you do you want a more

technical workflow or do you want one

that's more streamlined here's the thing

I love and hate DaVinci Resolve it's

frustratingly fantastic resolve is

anything but easy to use sure it has

some great things like the magic mask

powerful graphics and compositing

amazing color grading and audio tools

but I am curious to see how many of

these switchers will actually switch

back after a while I I've been using

resolve professionally since version 16.

and don't even get me started on the

color grading and the audio tools and

the noise reduction they're all

fantastic but it frustrates me too often

to make me want to use it exclusively

technically it's a great tool but that's

the biggest frustration that I have with

it it's too Technical and it feels like

there are many steps you need to do even

the simplest of things and you have to

make so many deliberate decisions before

you start editing because some of them

are actually really hard to change later

on and they will affect the work you

have to set the timeline and project

parameters which you can't change later

which color space are you working in

adding drives and locations too often I

just feel too frustrated even before I

made my first edit now granted all these

things are important to have a smooth

workflow down the line whereas on the

other hand Final Cut feels too simple

and most of the decisions are made for

you and you have to go and then change

those settings to gain some of that

control back where the media is stored

or where the app actually functions it

does feel like these two apps are coming

from the opposite ends of the editing

Spectrum listen I get it DaVinci is a

Powerhouse of built-in features it has

everything you could need for

post-production but does it actually

make the process faster render speeds

side because Final Cut and DaVinci are

on par when it comes to rendering and

performance but that's not the speed I'm

talking about I would classify Final Cut

as a creative editing tool with drag and

drop Simplicity and DaVinci I would

classify as a technical creative editing

tool because it forces you to really

understand color space media management

project setups frame rates and other

technical aspects of post-production and

delivery formats for high-end production

standards things that the majority of

people will never need to know

specifically if they are creating for

YouTube exclusively that is why you

really need to consider why you want a

specific editor do you want to be mostly

creative with some ability to adjust the

image and sound and jump into the edit

and get the video out as fast as

possible or do you need something that

is more technically accurate for a

standard specification or simply put are

you creating for YouTube or a feature

film so let's take a look at a

comparison between Final Cut and result

to help you better decide which is best

for you and if you really do need to

switch

foreign

let's get this out of the way color

grading resolve is renowned for its

color grading capabilities offering

industry standard color correction and

Grading while Final Cut has color

correction features they are not as

extensive or robust as results but there

are plugins for final cut that try to

make up the shortfall like color finale

or Cinema grade but even the most

seasoned Final Cut users will use

resolve to do their final color grade

Final Cut and resolve are both

professional video editing software but

they do have some key differences so

first and foremost platform

compatibility Final Cut Is exclusive to

Mac OS and apple while resolve is

available on Mac OS windows and Linux so

this makes resolve way more versatile

for users working on different platforms

it also has the advantage of being able

to collaborate with more users

the next one is the interface Final Cut

has a more streamlined and I would say

intuitive interface compared to resolved

making it easier for beginners to learn

and to navigate resolves interface is

more complex with a potential huge

learning curve but it does offer more

advanced features for customization

compared to Final Cut but oh man does it

have a lot of buttons and if I wasn't

already comfortable with it it would

feel daunting at first glance for

instance so many people just skip right

over the fusion page and pretend like it

doesn't even exist

foreign

for workflow and organization Final Cut

uses the magnetic timeline which I

personally find to be phenomenal

automatically adjust and move Clips

based on your editing actions and this

can lead to more efficient editing I can

drop Clips right into the timeline and

just start editing whereas resolve uses

a more traditional track based timeline

that way more people are familiar with

but for anyone that is just learning it

can feel overwhelming and the many steps

to start editing can throw many people

off with pop-ups that have many options

that aren't straightforward to decipher

if you are not familiar with them or not

a technical person but when it comes to

the organization and media management I

find both are equally good and bad in

the way they handle them resolve uses

the more traditional bins and folder

structure while Final Cut uses events

and keywords and resolve has taken all

these huge modalities of editing Motion

Graphics color grading and audio

engineering and put them all into one

app but left the complexity for each of

them whereas Final Cut has tried to

strip away all the complexity and make

it as simple as possible for the vast

majority of users with the ability to

expand on it

foreign

both these apps actually integrate

really well with other software they do

come with a lot of built-in effects

transitions but if you want to get the

most out of Final Cut You need to get

third-party plugins whereas resolve on

the other hand offers built-in visual

effects and Motion Graphics capabilities

through its Fusion module reducing the

need for any external software and that

by far is superior to Final Cut Pro but

again you do lose the ease of use with

all of them both Final Cut and DaVinci

have a growing list of templates and

plugins that you can use to expand the

app which is great

another big one is audio editing and

Final Cut does offer logic pro and

there's a round trip they have to use

it's a companion app but on the surface

it is very limited and very simple where

resolve has a way more advanced editing

tool called fairlight which offers way

more in-depth audio editing and mixing

capabilities but again the learning

curve is huge and this is going to be a

running theme through all the aspects

and recently something that Final Cut

was actually missing was a built-in

tracker and I would argue that the Final

Cut method is actually easier to use if

you want to track something to a person

or an object it's actually quite easy

resolve is more precise but it gets

complicated very fast

unless you're her emotion Graphics

animator you'll want to use templates to

add graphics and templates are usually

really well designed and all you do is

change the font and add your colors and

the thing that has made Final Cut so

attractive to so many people is that

there has been a huge library of

templates that are well designed and

customizable sites like motion VFX video

Hive and motion array and others you can

build your whole broadcast package look

and feel with just a few adjustments

resolve is starting to catch up with

really good templates but again if

you're looking for ease of use you have

to get past the complexity of resolve to

use them really well

at this point performance of Final Cut

and resolve have been optimized for Mac

OS now it's great that resolve works on

other platforms and on the surface works

great on most machines but once you

start layering on effects and higher

level processes this may require a way

more powerful machine to run all that

smoothly

one of the biggest reasons resolve is

really turning the corner with a lot of

editors is the price Final Cut is a

one-time purchase of 300 there is a

90-day free trial but typically it's

priced around 300 bucks DaVinci Resolve

offers a feature-rich free version and a

full Advanced feature paid studio

version for the same price of 300 the

free version of resolve is a great

starting point for those looking to try

a professional video editing without the

financial commitment

another big place that both Final Cut

and DaVinci have a great similarity is

the amount of great tutorials available

both free and paid for instance

Blackmagic has free tutorials and

training right on their website that

goes over the fundamentals and there are

numerous great YouTube channels that

cover all the aspects of the app such as

Casey Ferris Jamie Fenn Mr Alex Tech

learn color grading and Donna did it for

Final Cut Pro you have Peter Lindgren

Ryan Engel Ripple training Larry Jordan

the Dillons Dylan Bates the Final Cut

bro and Dylan John Brad West Matthew

O'Brien Tom Buck Serge M Tyler Stahlman

and Jen Jaeger these are just a few that

I like for DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut

Pro and if you're just getting started

motion VFX has a free Final Cut Academy

and DaVinci Resolve Academy just find

the ones that resonate with you and

start there

this one here is one of the biggest

uncertainties future proofing currently

resolve feels like it's being handled

with care and love by Blackmagic they

really seem to be pushing it to be

better and better every single year

adding features requested features

optimizing for more and more Hardware

they just seem to love what they're

doing where Final Cuts seems to be in a

constant state of it's good enough why

change it and that's a very dangerous

place to be for an app at this point it

can go either way for Final Cut Pro so

I'm really hoping that Apple does show

that they're going to be moving forward

positively With It ultimately the choice

between Final Cut Pro and DaVinci

Resolve depends on your specific needs

preferences and Hardware

both software options have their

strengths and their weaknesses and it

may be worthwhile to try them both out

before committing to one or the other

Final Cut and DaVinci Resolve can both

produce award-winning work one has to

work harder to get there and the other

you have to work harder to get there and

if you're considering the switch choose

your heart it really does come down to

ease of use and if that's important to

you but here's the truth

nobody cares what tool you use if you

limit yourself to only one tool you're

wasting your time learn all the tools

that you can why would you want to slow

yourself down by only sticking to one

tool if another tool is better at

something else for instance you wouldn't

animate in Photoshop you could but why

would you don't limit yourself to any

one tool there are some great ones out

there except for Premiere Pro

that program is dead it just doesn't

know it yet so check out this video

where I go over all the reasons why

Premiere Pro needs to change if it

doesn't want to get killed off for good

also I live stream on my second Channel

where I deep dive on the creative

process as well as freelance financials

as always thanks for watching