How to Fade Out Audio in After Effects (Quick Method)

Trying to fade out audio in After Effects but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Unlike Premiere Pro, After Effects doesn’t have built-in audio transitions, so it takes a few manual steps.

The good news? Once you know how to use keyframes, fading audio becomes super manageable. Here’s how to do it.

1. Import your audio file

1. Drag your audio file into the Project panel.
2. Drop it onto your timeline like any other layer.
3. If your audio is part of a video clip, you can apply the same steps directly on that layer.

2. Reveal the audio levels

1. Select the audio layer on your timeline.
2. Press L on your keyboard.
3. This will open the Audio Levels property, where you’ll see a dB (decibel) value.
4. You can also click on arrow next to Waveform to see the audio levels

3. Add keyframes for volume

1. Move the playhead to where you want the fade-out to begin.
2. Click the stopwatch next to Audio Levels to set your first keyframe (default is 0 dB).
3. Move forward on the timeline to where you want the fade-out to end.
4. Set a second keyframe and change its value from 0 dB down to something like -48 dB (silent).

4. Adjust timing for smoother fades

1. Drag either keyframe left or right on the timeline.
2. The farther apart they are, the more gradual the fade will be.
3. For a fade-in instead, reverse it: start at -48 dB, then go up to 0 dB over time.

5. Preview and tweak

1. Press spacebar or hit 0 on your numpad for RAM Preview.
2. Listen carefully and adjust timing or values if needed.
3. You can also press F9 (Windows) or Fn + F9 (Mac) on selected keyframes for smoother easing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Fade Audio in After Effects?

1. Select your audio layer
2. Press L to reveal Audio Levels
3. Add two keyframes: one at full volume (0 dB), one at lower volume (e.g., -48 dB)
4. Space them apart for a gradual fade
5. Preview and adjust timing as needed

How can you apply fade-in effect to an audio track?

1. Select your audio layer
2. Press L
3. Set first keyframe at low volume (e.g., -48 dB)
4. Set second keyframe later at 0 dB
5. Adjust spacing for smoothness

How to decrease audio in After Effects?

1. Select your audio layer
2. Press L
3. Change Audio Levels from 0 dB down to desired level (e.g., -12 dB)

This reduces volume across the entire clip without needing multiple keyframes.

How to change audio fade-out?

1. Press L on the layer with existing keyframes
2. Drag existing keyframes closer or farther apart for speed adjustment
3. Change final value if needed (e.g., from -24 dB down to -48 dB for full silence)

This lets you fine-tune how fast or slow your sound fades away without starting over.

Fading out audio in After Effects might take an extra step compared to other editors, but once you've done it once or twice, it becomes second nature.