How to use Descript - Full AI Video Editing Tutorial (2024)

David K. Dundas
29 Apr 202419:55

TLDRIn this tutorial, David demonstrates how to use Descript, an AI-powered video editing software, emphasizing its efficiency in editing and transcription. He covers features like recording, text-based editing, AI enhancements, and exporting, highlighting Descript's ability to streamline video production.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Descript is an AI-first video editing software that aims to simplify the editing process as if writing a Word document.
  • 🎥 The Descript interface allows for easy uploading, recording, and editing of video and audio files directly within the platform.
  • 🔍 Descript's transcription feature enables editing of the video through the text, which can be faster than traditional video editing software.
  • 📹 Users can record directly within Descript, offering various types of recordings like audio only, camera only, or screen and camera.
  • ✂️ Editing in Descript involves deleting text to remove sections of the video, making it a quick and accessible way to edit.
  • 📏 The software provides features like aspect ratio adjustment, layer manipulation, and the ability to export layers as separate files.
  • 📚 Descript includes a media folder for importing additional files like images, stock videos, backgrounds, GIFs, and stock photos.
  • 💬 The text-to-speech feature allows for the replacement of words in the script with the user's own voice, useful for correcting mistakes without re-recording.
  • 👀 The eye contact feature helps to ensure the speaker appears to be looking at the camera, enhancing the video's visual appeal.
  • 🖼️ Descript offers a green screen effect, though it may be slow for very long videos due to processing time on the server.
  • 🔊 The software includes audio effects such as Studio Sound, though the effectiveness can be variable and may not suit all users' needs.
  • 🔗 Sequences in Descript allow for the linking of multiple files with the same audio, enabling synchronized editing across them.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video tutorial?

    -The main purpose of the video tutorial is to demonstrate how to use Descript, an AI-first video editing software, and to highlight its features and workflow.

  • How does Descript's interface differ from traditional video editors?

    -Descript's interface is designed to make video editing as easy as writing a Word document. It allows for editing through transcription, with a straightforward layout that includes a video monitor, media folder, and various editing controls.

  • What types of projects can be created in Descript?

    -In Descript, users can create both video and audio projects. Audio projects are used for quick voice recordings or voiceovers, while video projects are the main focus of the tutorial.

  • How can users start recording in Descript?

    -Users can start recording in Descript by clicking on 'Start Recording' and choosing the type of recording they want to make, such as audio only, camera only, or a combination of both.

  • What is the significance of the transcription panel in Descript?

    -The transcription panel in Descript is where the video's audio is transcribed, allowing users to edit the video by simply editing the transcription text.

  • How does Descript handle aspect ratio changes?

    -Descript allows users to change the aspect ratio of their videos to square or landscape, and users can adjust the size of the video monitor to their preference.

  • What are some of the AI features Descript offers for video editing?

    -Some of the AI features Descript offers include removing filler words, shortening word gaps, creating overdubs, and applying effects like eye contact and green screen.

  • How does Descript's 'Overdub' feature work?

    -The 'Overdub' feature in Descript allows users to record their own voice and replace words in the script. It's useful for correcting minor mistakes without having to re-record the entire video.

  • What is the process of creating a sequence in Descript?

    -To create a sequence in Descript, users select multiple files and click on 'Create Sequence.' This links the files together so they can be edited simultaneously, which is especially useful for syncing audio and video.

  • What are some limitations mentioned in the tutorial regarding Descript's timeline feature?

    -The tutorial mentions that Descript's timeline feature is not as intuitive or efficient as those in other video editors like CapCut or Premiere Pro, and it can be slow for longer videos.

  • How does Descript's green screen feature compare to other software?

    -The green screen feature in Descript is described as being okay, but not the strongest. It can be slow for long videos and doesn't handle hand movements well, which can be a limitation for some users.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Introduction to Descript Video Editing Software

David introduces the video, highlighting his intention to demonstrate the use of Descript as an AI-first video editing tool. He mentions his workflow with multiple video editing software and emphasizes Descript's efficiency in saving time. The video will cover the interface, key features, AI capabilities, and a basic workflow. David invites viewers to subscribe for more content and begins the tutorial on the Descript dashboard, explaining the project creation process for both video and audio projects.

05:00

📹 Descript's Interface and Basic Features

The tutorial continues with an exploration of Descript's interface, focusing on its simplicity and the ease of recording and importing media. David demonstrates how to record audio and video directly within the software, as well as how to import files from one's drive. He also discusses the transcription feature, which allows for editing the video through its text representation, and the various editing controls available for adjusting video layers, aspect ratios, and canvas positioning.

10:02

🔍 Advanced Editing with AI Features in Descript

David delves into Descript's AI-powered editing features, such as the removal of filler words and the shortening of word gaps to tighten dialogue. He illustrates the process of editing text to reflect changes in the video, which is more efficient than traditional video editing software. Despite occasional imperfections in the AI's editing, such as distortion at edit points, Descript offers tools to restore or adjust edits. The video also touches on the 'overdub' feature, which allows users to replace words in the video with their own voice recordings.

15:03

🛠️ Descript's Timeline and Additional Features

The video moves on to discuss the timeline feature in Descript, which, while not as refined as other editors like CapCut, offers a unique way to tighten dialogue by adjusting the gaps between words. David also covers other AI features such as 'eye contact' enhancement and 'green screen' effects, noting that while some features excel, others like the green screen can be time-consuming. He provides a brief overview of audio effects and the export process, emphasizing Descript's role as a comprehensive video editing solution.

📚 Workflow Example and Descript's Sequences Feature

David concludes the tutorial by showcasing his workflow using Descript, starting from recording and green screen processing on the desktop to the final video editing within Descript. He introduces the 'sequences' feature, which allows for the simultaneous editing of linked video files with the same audio. This feature, along with the AI-based editing tools, significantly reduces the time spent on editing, as demonstrated by the removal of filler words and word gaps, and the ability to overdub sections of the video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Descript

Descript is an AI-first video editing software that streamlines the editing process by allowing users to edit videos as easily as writing a Word document. It is designed to save time and effort in video production. In the script, Descript is highlighted for its unique interface and AI features, such as the ability to remove filler words and tighten word gaps, which are demonstrated as significant time-savers in the editing workflow.

💡AI features

AI features in Descript refer to the artificial intelligence capabilities integrated into the software to enhance video editing. These include functionalities like automatic transcription, filler word removal, and word gap shortening. The script emphasizes how these AI features contribute to a more efficient and accessible editing experience, setting Descript apart from traditional video editors.

💡Transcription

Transcription in the context of Descript is the process of converting spoken language from a video into written text. This feature is central to Descript's editing methodology, as it allows for precise and text-based editing of video content. The script illustrates how transcription facilitates faster editing by enabling direct manipulation of the text to adjust the video.

💡Filler words

Filler words are unnecessary or repetitive sounds like 'um' and 'uh' that speakers often use unconsciously. Descript's AI can identify and remove these filler words from the video's audio track, cleaning up the dialogue and improving the overall quality of the video. The script demonstrates this feature as a time-saving aspect of Descript's AI capabilities.

💡Word gaps

Word gaps refer to the pauses or breaks between words in speech. In video editing, these gaps can be adjusted to tighten the dialogue and improve the flow of the video. Descript allows users to shorten these gaps to a specified duration, as shown in the script, which is a feature that helps in creating a more polished and professional final product.

💡Overdub

Overdub is a feature in Descript that enables users to re-record parts of the audio without needing to redo the entire video. It's particularly useful for correcting minor mistakes or replacing words in the script. The video script showcases the overdub feature as an example of how Descript simplifies the editing process, allowing for quick fixes to the audio track.

💡Eye contact

The eye contact feature in Descript uses AI to ensure that the speaker appears to be making eye contact with the camera throughout the video. This enhances the viewer's engagement by creating a more personal and direct connection. The script describes this feature as a thoughtful addition that contributes to a cleaner and more professional look in video presentations.

💡Green screen

Green screen is a technique used in video production where a green background is replaced with other images or videos during post-production. Descript offers a green screen feature that allows for easy application of this technique within the software. However, the script notes that the feature can be slow for long videos and may not handle hand movements well.

💡Studio sound

Studio sound in Descript refers to an audio effect that aims to enhance the audio quality of the video, making it sound more professional. The script mentions that while this feature is available, the presenter prefers to use Adobe's audio enhancer, indicating that the effectiveness of Studio sound might be subjective or situational.

💡Sequences

Sequences in Descript are used to link multiple tracks of audio with the same content, allowing for synchronized editing across them. This is particularly useful when dealing with long videos or when the same audio is present in different video files. The script demonstrates how sequences can save time by ensuring edits made to one track are reflected across all linked tracks.

💡Export

Export in the context of Descript is the final step of the video editing process where the user saves the completed video in a desired format. The script mentions that Descript has limitations in terms of maximum resolution for export, which is 1440p, and provides an overview of the export settings available to users.

Highlights

Descript is an AI-first video editing software that simplifies the editing process.

The interface is designed to make video editing as easy as writing a Word document.

You can record audio or video directly within Descript.

Descript's transcription feature allows for editing the video by simply editing the text.

The software offers various aspect ratio options for your videos.

Layers in Descript can be individually manipulated, such as moving, cropping, or muting.

Media folder allows for easy import of images and other files into your project.

Descript provides stock videos, backgrounds, GIFs, and images for your projects.

The text feature enables adding and editing text overlays on the video.

Templates in Descript offer different layouts for captions and other text elements.

Editing in Descript is faster than traditional video editors like Premiere Pro.

AI features include the ability to remove filler words from the transcript.

Word gaps can be shortened to tighten up dialogue in videos.

Descript's overdub feature allows replacing words with your own voice recording.

The timeline feature, while functional, may not be as intuitive as other editors.

Eye contact feature helps to create a more engaging video by ensuring the speaker appears to be looking at the camera.

Green screen effects can be applied, but processing can be slow for longer videos.

Studio sound feature offers audio enhancements, though it may not be as effective as other tools.

Exporting from Descript is straightforward, with options for different video qualities.

Descript's sequences feature allows for synchronized editing of linked audio and video tracks.

The software can significantly reduce editing time by quickly removing filler words and tightening word gaps.

Descript is a powerful tool for video storytelling, especially when enhancing voice dialogue.