diff --git a/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java b/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java
index 9c842bf..5f3cbad 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/example/videoclips/editing/HighlightFfmpegRenderer.java
@@ -283,8 +283,15 @@ public class HighlightFfmpegRenderer {
             command.addAll(List.of("-i", voiceover.path().toString()));
             // Narration must clearly lead. Boost ~+8 dB; combined with the lower music bed and side-chain
             // ducking, this keeps the voice well above the score during each line.
+            // Short fades soften the entry/exit so the narration doesn't hard-cut in and out.
+            double voiceFadeIn = Math.min(0.12, duration / 4);
+            double voiceFadeOut = Math.min(0.25, duration / 3);
             filters.append("[").append(input).append(":a]atrim=duration=").append(duration)
-                    .append(",asetpts=PTS-STARTPTS,volume=1.0,adelay=")
+                    .append(",asetpts=PTS-STARTPTS,volume=1.0")
+                    .append(",afade=t=in:st=0:d=").append(voiceFadeIn)
+                    .append(",afade=t=out:st=").append(Math.max(0.0, duration - voiceFadeOut))
+                    .append(":d=").append(voiceFadeOut)
+                    .append(",adelay=")
                     .append(delayMillis).append("|").append(delayMillis).append("[").append(label).append("];");
             voiceLabels.add("[" + label + "]");
             input++;