What is Descript?
Descript is an AI-powered audio and video editing platform that lets you edit media by editing text. When you upload audio or video files, Descript automatically transcribes them with 95%+ accuracy. You can then edit your content by simply editing the transcript—delete text to remove audio, rearrange sentences to restructure your content, or fix mistakes without touching a timeline.
The platform includes advanced features like Overdub (AI voice cloning), Studio Sound (automatic audio enhancement), filler word removal, screen recording, and real-time collaboration. Descript works on both Mac and Windows, making professional editing accessible to podcasters, video creators, educators, and businesses.
Why We Use Descript AI
- Faster Editing Workflow: The descript video editor reduces editing time by 50-75% compared to traditional software. Edit your podcast or video by cutting text instead of manipulating waveforms or timelines.
- Accurate Transcription: Descript transcription automatically converts speech to text with industry-leading accuracy. This creates immediate value for accessibility, SEO content, and show notes.
- Professional Audio Quality: Studio Sound uses AI to remove background noise, echo, and enhance voice clarity—transforming recordings made in less-than-ideal conditions into professional audio.
- No Steep Learning Curve: If you can edit a document, you can edit in Descript. No need to learn complex video editing software.
- All-in-One Platform: Consolidates transcription, editing, screen recording, and collaboration into one subscription, saving money on multiple tools.
- Collaboration Features: Multiple team members can edit simultaneously, leave timestamped comments, and review changes in real-time.
How to Use Descript: Step-by-Step Method
Getting Started
- Create Account and Install: Visit Descript’s website, create an account, and download the desktop application. Descript offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans (Creator and Pro) with advanced capabilities.
- Create New Project: Click “New Project” and import existing files (MP4, MOV, MP3, WAV) or record directly using your microphone, webcam, or screen capture.
- Automatic Transcription: Descript automatically transcribes your content in 5-10 minutes (for a 30-minute file). The transcript appears alongside your media, fully synchronized.
Basic Editing with Descript Video Editor
Text-Based Editing: Select any text in your transcript and press delete to remove that section from your audio or video. Copy and paste text to rearrange sections. Changes update automatically in your media.
Remove Filler Words: Click “Remove filler words” to automatically identify and delete “um,” “uh,” “like,” and other fillers. Review individually or remove all at once.
Shorten Word Gaps: Use this feature to tighten pacing by reducing long pauses without making content feel rushed.
Studio Sound Enhancement: Toggle Studio Sound on any audio track to apply AI-powered noise reduction, EQ, and clarity enhancement. This transforms mediocre audio into professional quality.
Advanced Video Editing Tips
Multi-Track Editing: Add multiple audio and video tracks for complex projects. Layer background music, add b-roll footage, and adjust individual track volumes.
Adding Captions: Descript automatically generates captions from your transcript. Customize fonts, colors, and positioning. Export with burned-in captions or separate subtitle files (SRT, VTT).
Screen Recording: Click “Record” > “Screen” to capture tutorials or presentations. Record your screen, webcam, and microphone simultaneously.
Compositions and Templates: Create reusable templates for recurring content formats. Include intro/outro sequences, music tracks, and branding elements for consistency.
Overdub Voice Cloning: Train Descript on your voice (10-minute process) to create an AI voice clone. Type corrections and Descript generates audio in your voice—no re-recording needed.
Descript Transcription Workflow
Speaker Labels: Descript automatically detects different speakers. Rename labels (e.g., “Speaker 1” to “Sarah”) for clarity in interviews and multi-person content.
Editing Transcripts: Click any word to edit the transcript. Corrections don’t affect actual audio, only the text. Add technical terms or names to your dictionary for consistency.
Export Transcripts: Export as TXT, SRT, or VTT for blog posts, show notes, captions, or accessibility compliance.
Exporting Your Content
Click “Publish” to export your finished content. Options include:
- Audio formats: MP3, WAV
- Video formats: MP4, MOV
- Multiple aspect ratios: 16:9 (YouTube), 9:16 (TikTok, Stories), 1:1 (Instagram)
- Direct publishing to YouTube, podcast platforms, and social media
Video Editing Tips for Descript
Optimize for Different Platforms: Export the same project in multiple aspect ratios. Create a 16:9 version for YouTube and a 9:16 vertical version for Instagram Reels in minutes.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Master essential shortcuts for speed—Spacebar (play/pause), Cmd/Ctrl+X (cut), Cmd/Ctrl+V (paste), Option/Alt+Delete (ripple delete).
Layer Visual Content: Add images, graphics, and b-roll over your main video. Descript integrates with stock media libraries for quick access to professional footage.
Leverage Templates: Create templates for regular content types. Include standard music, intro/outro sequences, and formatting to maintain brand consistency.
Review Before Export: Always preview your full edit before exporting. Check for awkward cuts, audio levels, and visual transitions.
Common Use Cases
Podcast Editing: Remove filler words, tighten pacing, add music and sound effects, balance multiple speaker levels, and generate show notes from transcripts.
YouTube Videos: Edit interviews, tutorials, and vlogs quickly. Add captions, layer b-roll, and export with optimized thumbnails.
Educational Content: Create online courses with screen recordings, voiceover narration, and accurate captions for accessibility.
Social Media Content: Extract highlight clips from long-form content. Create multiple platform-optimized versions from a single edit.
Business Communications: Polish recorded meetings, client presentations, and webinars. Remove unnecessary sections and enhance audio quality.
Pricing Plans
Free Plan: Basic transcription and editing with monthly limits and export watermarks. Good for trying Descript.
Creator Plan ($24/month): Unlimited transcription, Overdub, Studio Sound, watermark-free exports, and screen recording.
Pro Plan ($40/month): Adds 10-track multitrack editing, extended version history, and team collaboration features.
Limitations and Considerations
While Descript is powerful, understanding its limitations helps set appropriate expectations:
Not a Full Video Effects Suite: Descript prioritizes editing efficiency over advanced visual effects. For projects requiring extensive color grading, motion graphics, or complex visual effects, traditional video editing software remains necessary.
Internet Dependency: Many features require internet connectivity, particularly transcription and Overdub. This can be limiting for users working in areas with unreliable connections.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic editing is intuitive, mastering features like multitrack editing, composition management, and Overdub training requires time investment.
Processing Requirements: Working with video, especially at higher resolutions, requires capable hardware. Older computers may struggle with smooth playback and rendering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Descript AI is an audio and video editing platform that uses artificial intelligence for text-based editing, automatic transcription, voice cloning (Overdub), and audio enhancement (Studio Sound).
Descript automatically transcribes audio and video files using AI, achieving 95%+ accuracy. Upload your file and transcription completes in 5-10 minutes for typical 30-minute content.
Yes, Descript offers a free plan with basic features and limited transcription hours. Paid plans ($24-40/month) provide unlimited transcription, advanced features, and commercial usage rights.
Yes, this is Descript’s core feature. Delete or rearrange text in the transcript and the corresponding video or audio changes automatically.
Descript uses text-based editing instead of timeline editing. It’s faster for content-focused projects but less suited for complex visual effects or advanced color grading.
Descript achieves 95%+ accuracy on clear audio. Accuracy improves with quality microphones and minimal background noise. Technical terms may need manual corrections.
Overdub is AI voice cloning that creates a digital copy of your voice. Type corrections and Descript speaks them in your voice without re-recording.
Yes, Descript has full-featured applications for both Mac and Windows with identical capabilities.
Yes, click “Remove filler words” and Descript identifies all “um,” “uh,” “like,” and similar words. Review individually or remove all instances at once.
Studio Sound applies AI-powered audio processing to remove background noise, reduce echo, and enhance voice clarity with one click.
Yes, Descript supports real-time collaboration. Team members can simultaneously edit, comment, and review with customizable permissions.
Descript imports and exports MP4, MOV, MP3, WAV, and other common formats. Export to various aspect ratios (16:9, 9:16, 1:1) for different platforms.
Transcription processes faster than real-time. A 30-minute file typically transcribes in 5-10 minutes depending on server load.
Absolutely. Descript is extremely popular for podcast editing—remove mistakes, add music, balance audio levels, and generate show notes all in one platform.
No, Descript is desktop-only (Mac and Windows), though projects sync to the cloud for access across devices.
