Our Honest Review of Descript

Last updated:
August 13, 2024
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Fast Facts

Name:
Descript
Key features:
  • Designed for podcast and video editing based on transcripts
  • Other features include video editing, storyboarding, and production tools, in addition to audio functionality
  • Generates a transcript of everything you say in addition to the scenes, automatically separating the video track.
  • Automated edits of transcripts like removing filler words like um and ah, which are automatically updated and removed from the uploaded audio or video. (credit)
Our take:
The video/audio editing tool for the rest of us.
Pros:
  • Very versatile tool that’s designed to write, record, edit, collaborate, transcribe, and even share videos and podcasts on many popular channels.
  • Automates many audio and video editing processes and supports 22 languages.
  • Some paid plans are reasonable for casual editors.

Cons:
  • Descript doesn't have any mobile app for editing podcasts or videos on the go.
Pricing:
View pricing breakdown here

Our Review

The content creation wave isn't stopping. Whether you're doing it for yourself (hello, future Hollywood star) or using it to launch your business, the number of people we've seen talking into their phones and fancy podcast mics has skyrocketed, and that's not stopping anytime soon.

But once you hit "stop" on your recording? Time to edit, and that's not a small feat.

Most tools are extremely complex. For lots of editing, especially to clean up your podcasts, Descript is the tool that balances simplicity with power.

Fast, and easy to use

If you're reading this post, you are likely not a professional video/audio person, which means Descript is built for you:

  • Clean and simple interface
  • Engaging subtitles
  • Templates built for social

While Adobe tools had us confused about all the possible dials you could turn and play with, Descript got us up and running in just a couple of minutes for a basic audio edit.

Two magical features

Descript allows for text-based audio editing. It transcribes your audio and shows a transcript. And instead of editing your audio tracks directly, you edit the transcript, and Descript makes the matching changes in the audio.

For most people, the "wow" factor with Descript comes in two moments:

  1. Remove filler words
  2. Overdub

In just one click, you can take out filler words like "um" and "uh", which might just save you a few hours of work.

Overdub is Descript voice cloning. Once you've given enough audio of your voice, Descript knows how to replicate your voice. Then, instead of having to re-record any audio due to a mistake, all you have to do is type in the correct Descript will then create the new audio. It's pretty magical.

Here's a demo from the Descript team for an example.

Give it a shot

From our research, everyone - even the professionals! - loves Descript. They're funded by OpenAI, it's a great product and it only sets you back $12-24/month.

That makes this an easy top recommendation.

Use This Tool

Tutorials coming soon.
Back

Descript

Key Features

  • Designed for podcast and video editing based on transcripts
  • Other features include video editing, storyboarding, and production tools, in addition to audio functionality
  • Generates a transcript of everything you say in addition to the scenes, automatically separating the video track.
  • Automated edits of transcripts like removing filler words like um and ah, which are automatically updated and removed from the uploaded audio or video. (credit)

The Interface

Target demographic

Users who want to experiment with audio editing on any level

Our take

The video/audio editing tool for the rest of us.

Pros

  • Very versatile tool that’s designed to write, record, edit, collaborate, transcribe, and even share videos and podcasts on many popular channels.
  • Automates many audio and video editing processes and supports 22 languages.
  • Some paid plans are reasonable for casual editors.

Cons

  • Descript doesn't have any mobile app for editing podcasts or videos on the go.

Pricing

View pricing breakdown here

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