Blackmagic Finally Listened: Show Music Beats in DaVinci Resolve 20

Discover DaVinci Resolve 20's 'Show Music Beats' feature — a powerful new tool that automatically detects music beat points, helping editors sync cuts and effects with precision.

As a freelance video editor working in London, I’ve been waiting for this feature for years. With the release of DaVinci Resolve 20, Blackmagic Design has finally added something that genuinely changes the way I cut music-driven projects: automated beat detection in the timeline.

Whether I’m working on trailers, branded social content, or fast-paced performance edits, this new addition has already become part of my go-to workflow. It’s quick, it’s intuitive, and it solves a long-standing frustration.

How to Use 'Show Music Beats' in DaVinci Resolve 20

The new Show Music Beats option allows you to display beat markers directly on your audio clip in the timeline. Once enabled, Resolve analyses the music and automatically marks the beats. These markers act as guides for where beats occur, and most importantly, your edits can now snap to those beat points.

Why This Feature Changes the DaVinci Resolve Editing Workflow

This makes it easier to time cuts, transitions, and effects with the rhythm of your track—perfect for editors who want to fine-tune their pacing without relying solely on waveform guessing.

Where You Can Use ‘Show Music Beats’ in DaVinci Resolve

This feature is available on both the Cut Page and the Edit Page, so no matter your workflow style, you can take advantage of it.

Step-by-Step: How to Show Music Beats on the Timeline in Resolve 20

Getting started is simple:

1. Select your music clip in the timeline

2. Right-click on the audio clip

3. Choose “Show Music Beats” from the context menu

4. Resolve will automatically analyze the track

5. Once the analysis is complete, beat markers will appear directly on the clip

6. Begin editing—clips will now snap to these beats for seamless rhythm-aligned cuts

Limitations of the Show Music Beats Feature in Resolve 20

While beat markers are now visible, DaVinci Resolve doesn’t show musical bars or measures. This means if you want to align cuts with full bars or musical phrases, you’ll still need to use your ear and editing instincts.

Still, having beat detection baked in removes the manual guesswork and makes it far easier to build edits that follow the music’s natural energy.

Why Beat Detection in Resolve 20 Is a Game-Changer for Freelancers

Before this update, I’d spend time placing manual markers or eyeballing waveform peaks. For every promo or social clip that needed tight rhythm edits, that meant extra effort—and more hours on the clock.

Now, I can cut faster and more accurately without sacrificing quality. That matters when you’re freelancing and juggling multiple edits or tight deadlines.

This tool is especially useful for:

• Rhythm-based storytelling

• Cutting to music for social platforms

• Performance and dance edits

• Manual music remixing

• Live events and showreels

If your work depends on music, this will make a difference—whether you’re in a studio or editing on the go.

Is Show Music Beats Worth Using in Your Edits?

If you’ve updated to DaVinci Resolve 20, the Show Music Beats feature is ready to use right now. Just drop in your track, right-click, and let Resolve handle the beat detection.

For editors who care about pacing, flow, and musical timing—especially those of us working independently—this is a long-awaited, game-changing tool that slots straight into the creative process.

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