How to customize DaVinci Resolve for YouTube videos

If you’re tired of rebuilding your projects every time you open DaVinci Resolve, you’re slowing yourself down before you even start editing. A repeatable setup changes everything.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the exact template and layout I use for every YouTube video. By the end, you’ll have:

A reusable project template that saves hours
Organized assets so you’re not hunting for B-roll
My go-to keyboard shortcuts
An export preset that cuts down clicks

Let’s break it down.

Example Workflow (Start to Finish)

Here’s what the full process looks like once your setup is in place:

Import your assets into the media pool.
Build your rough cut by trimming mistakes and silences.
- Pro tip: DaVinci Resolve 20.2 now has Ripple Delete Silences under Clip → Audio Operations.
Drop in assets from your Power Bins – B-roll, text, transitions, music, and your end screen.
Polish the edit, check for mistakes, and preview.
Export with your preset and upload to YouTube.

Now let’s get your template set up so this process is plug-and-play.

Step 1: Project Manager + Templates

Create folders for different formats (long-form, shorts, podcasts).
Right-click → New Project → name it with your video title.
Save a master template project. Each time you start a new video, right-click → “Open in Read Only Mode” → Save As with your new title.

Step 2: Preferences + Layout

System settings: set your mic and headphones/speakers.
UI settings: reload last project; check “Optimize UI for vertical” if needed.
Save/Backup: turn on Live Save and timeline backups.

Step 3: Keyboard Shortcuts

Customizing your keyboard is a game changer:

Q / E = trim left or right
W = split clip
S = gap delete
D = ripple delete
Function keys (F1–F8) for quick actions (compound clips, voiceover, quick export, etc.)

Don’t forget to save these as a preset. Watch this other video to know how.

Step 4: Project Settings

Timeline resolution: 1920×1080 for long-form, 1080×1920 for vertical.
Save these as separate presets so you don’t need to switch manually.

Step 5: Edit Page Layout

Media Pool: drag all assets here.
Power Bins: keep reusable items (B-roll, music, end screens, subscribe buttons).
Inspector: adjust text, fonts, and brand colors for titles.
Workspace presets: save your favorite panel layouts (like dual-screen mode).

Step 6: Timeline Organization

Add stacked timelines (horizontal, vertical, shorts).
Track setup:
- V1 = A-roll
- V2 = B-roll
- V3 = Titles/graphics
- A1 = Voice
- A2 = Music (with auto-ducking enabled)
Use color labels and track renaming to stay organized.

Step 7: Export Presets

Create a YouTube export preset (H.265 codec, normalized audio at -14 LUFS).
Save it to Quick Export so you can skip the Deliver page when in a rush.

Final Step: Save as a Template

Clear the timeline.
Save Project As → “YouTube Template.”
Start every new video by duplicating this template.

Why This Works

With this setup, every project starts ready-to-go:

No wasted time digging for assets
No extra clicking with export settings
No redoing your keyboard shortcuts

It’s the same workflow every time – fast, organized, and built for YouTube.

So the next time you open Resolve, you’ll be editing, not rebuilding.

What’s next

This is the third video in a series for creators on how you can edit + improve your videos with DaVinci Resolve, especially if you’re an educational channel.

Make sure to subscribe to get updates.

About

Hi, I’m Marjy! Content Producer + Editor for creators and educators. If you’re enjoying this post, here are other ways you can connect with me:

Subscribe to my newsletter: I send actionable tips about marketing and online business. Join the list here.
Let’s work together: I help educational creators with YouTube content support and editing. I also have Clarity Call sessions if you need help organizing your thoughts. Learn more about my services here.
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