ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Fade (audio engineering)

Ok kiddo, imagine you're playing with a toy car that has a volume button on it. When you turn it up, it gets loud, and when you turn it down, it gets quiet. Now imagine you're listening to a song and there's a part where the music starts getting quieter and quieter until it stops completely. That's called a fade.

In audio engineering, a fade is a way to change the volume of the music or sound over time. It can make the music gradually get louder or quieter, or make it fade in or out slowly. This technique can be used to make a song or sound effect sound more dynamic or emotional, or to transition between different parts of a song or scene.

To do a fade, an audio engineer will use a special tool called a fader. This is like the volume button on your toy car, but much more precise. The engineer can use the fader to change the volume of the sound over time, creating a fade effect.

There are different types of fades, like a fade-in, fade-out, or crossfade. A fade-in is when the sound starts off quiet and gradually gets louder. A fade-out is when the sound gradually gets quieter and eventually stops. A crossfade is when two sounds are fading into each other at the same time, like during a DJ mix.

So, to sum it up, a fade is when the volume of a sound changes gradually over time, and it's done using a tool called a fader. It's a cool way to make music and sounds more interesting and emotional.
Related topics others have asked about: