Getting Started with Descript: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Descript has become a go-to tool for creators who want to edit audio and video as easily as editing text. If you are new to Descript, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to move from initial setup to exporting a polished episode. Whether you’re a solo podcaster, a video creator, or a content editor on a team, these foundations will set you up to work faster and with more confidence.

Why Descript?

Descript blends transcription, audio editing, and screen recording into a single interface. Instead of manipulating waveforms, you edit the transcript. Remove filler words, rearrange sections, or create highlights with simple text operations. The learning curve is shallow for non-technical creators, yet the tool packs advanced features like Overdub, multitrack editing, and collaboration.

“Descript lets you treat audio like a document — if you can edit a paragraph, you can edit a podcast.”

Step 1: Account Setup and Project Creation

Start by creating a Descript account at descript.com. Choose a plan that fits your needs — there is a free tier for basic use, and paid tiers unlock higher transcription hours, Overdub, and more advanced export options. After signing in, create a new project and give it a clear name. Projects help you organize episodes, drafts, and source materials.

Step 2: Importing Media

You can import audio and video files directly, record via the Descript desktop app, or use screen recording to capture interviews or demos. To import, click New Session and drag files into the project pane. Descript will upload and begin transcribing automatically — the speed depends on file length and connection.

Step 3: Review and Correct the Transcript

Once transcription is finished, review it carefully. Automatic transcription is fast and accurate but rarely perfect. Click on a word to play that location in the audio; correct spellings, names, and industry terms so edits will read naturally. You can also add speaker labels and chapter markers at this stage.

Step 4: Text-Based Editing

This is where Descript shines. Editing text removes audio: delete filler words, rearrange sentences, or use the Replace tool to swap repeated phrases. You can highlight and apply effects to selected ranges, such as compressing, normalizing, or reducing noise. For video, trimming text also trims the video player timeline, keeping A/V in sync.

Step 5: Overdub and Voice Repair

Overdub lets you synthesize your voice to fix small mistakes without re-recording. Train an Overdub model (on supported plans) by submitting recordings and following the consent flow. Use it sparingly and ethically: Overdub is ideal for short corrections, not full-speech generation without disclosure.

Step 6: Multitrack Mixing and Advanced Edits

Switch to multitrack when you need separate control over music, interviews, or sound effects. Descript supports clip-level fades, crossfades, and automation of levels. Use the mixer to balance voices and background music. If you need finer waveform editing, split clips and use traditional DAW techniques within the track view.

Step 7: Collaboration and Comments

Invite teammates to the project with share links and permission levels. Comment on parts of the transcript to ask for revisions or timeline changes. Version history lets you revert edits, making experimentation safe.

Step 8: Exporting

When your episode is ready, export in multiple formats: MP3 for podcasts, WAV for high-quality audio, or MP4 for video. You can choose to burn captions into video or export a separate SRT file. For podcast hosting, export an RSS-ready file or integrate directly with supported hosts.

Tips and Best Practices

• Use keyboard shortcuts: Learn the common shortcuts to speed up editing.
• Keep source files organized: Name raw files clearly and store them in a consistent folder structure.
• Validate speaker labels: Accurate labeling improves collaboration and makes transcripts readable.
• Use templates: Create templates for recurring episode types to standardize intros, outros, and ad spots.

Common Pitfalls

Beginners often forget to check the transcript before trimming audio, which can lead to awkward edits. Another common mistake is over-relying on Overdub: synthetic voice fixes should be used transparently. Finally, skipping multitrack mixing can leave music overpowering voices — always review final exports on multiple playback systems.

Conclusion

Descript streamlines the path from raw recording to published content by letting you think in words, not waveforms. Start with short projects to get comfortable, then layer in advanced features as you grow. With thoughtful setup and consistent workflows, Descript can cut production time dramatically while improving clarity and polish.

Ready to try it? Create a small test project: record a 5-minute clip, transcribe, make three edits, and export. You’ll learn the core loop in under an hour and be ready to scale your production workflow.