Descript has emerged as one of the most popular and innovative software solutions for podcast editing. With its robust suite of AI-driven tools, Descript offers unparalleled ease of use, efficiency, and precision, so it’s no surprise that it’s a favorite among podcasters of all levels.
For seasoned professionals and beginners, Descript’s intuitive interface and powerful features help streamline the editing process. They enable you to focus more on telling compelling stories and less on the technical complexities of audio editing.
Let’s explore how Descript’s AI tools are transforming the world of podcast editing and why it stands out as the go-to software for podcasters around the world.
1. Studio Sound
With so many creators starting new podcasts, it’s logical and expected that not all of them have perfect conditions for recording. Luckily, Descript’s Studio Sound feature can make your recording sound professional even if you record it in your bedroom, on your phone, or even have a guest interview via a Bluetooth headset.
Studio Sound works by isolating speakers’ audio and regenerating it to enhance voices while removing background noise and echo. Its regenerative AI can be applied to voiceovers, interviews, phone calls, or conference calls. It supports most file formats, ensuring flexibility and ease of use.
This is how you can use Studio Sound to get professional-quality recordings:
- Drag and drop your audio or video file into Descript.
- Click the Studio Sound button. The AI will then enhance your voice and eliminate background noise automatically.
- Adjust the level of Studio Sound to match your preference and make the sound as natural as possible.
2. Remove Retakes
Making perfect first-take recordings takes a lot of time and experience in front of the microphone. But now, there’s no need to chase that elusive first (or tenth) take.
With Descript, you can record as many takes as necessary to get it just right. Then, you can remove all the unwanted takes using the Remove Retakes feature.
Here’s how to use Remove Retakes in Descript:
- Click on the Actions icon and search for Remove Retakes.
- Click the Start AI button to let the AI identify the clips to remove.
- You can either Apply the edits to script or Copy the edits to a new composition. The latter option will create a new version with the edited script.
If you apply the edits to your script, you can select Continue editing with AI to apply additional actions like Accept all deletions, which removes all ignored media identified by Remove Retakes.
3. Edit for Clarity
One of the first steps in editing podcast audio files is to eliminate “ums,” “uhs,” tangents, and other fluff.
This tool precisely identifies distracting words and off-topic segments in your project’s script, and then removes them from the conversation.
Similar to the Remove Retakes feature, you can choose to accept these changes and apply them directly to your script or copy the edited script into a new composition. The edits will appear as ignored text, allowing you to easily track the changes made.
The process is very simple:
- Go to Ask AI
- Choose Edit for Clarity
And voila! Descript automatically removes all the filler words.
4. Shorten Word Gaps
Descript’s Shorten Word Gaps feature allows you to manage and optimize the silent pauses between words in your audio or video projects. This way, it ensures your content flows smoothly and maintains listener engagement by eliminating unnecessary gaps that can disrupt the pace.
- To shorten word gaps, go to the Action bar and select Shorten word gaps or use the Search tool to find them.
- Once in the search panel at the top of the Script editor, you can adjust the time settings. Change the top time selection to choose which gaps to shorten and the bottom time selection to decide how short the gaps should be.
- Navigate through the search results using the arrows in the search panel or by clicking individual results in the Properties panel. Clicking Shorten will adjust the selected gap to the desired duration and move to the next gap. Shorten all will apply the changes to all gaps in your search results.
You can also adjust word gaps directly from the script editor or the wordbar without using the search tool.
Advanced settings
The Shorten word gaps feature includes advanced settings accessible via the Settings icon:
- Auto-advance: Automatically moves to the next gap in the properties panel after shortening a specific gap.
- Preview results: Automatically plays back a portion of the selected audio when you click on or advance to a new selection.
These settings allow you to customize your workflow for more efficient editing.
5. Regenerate
Finally, the Regenerate feature in Descript utilizes generative audio technology to enhance and correct audio recordings seamlessly.
- This feature is great if an edit in your recording creates an unnatural intonation mismatch that can’t be fixed with traditional audio engineering. By clicking the gap between words and selecting Regenerate, new audio cells are generated to make the transition sound seamless.
- If a speaker’s performance falters or loses interest midway, Regenerate can improve the delivery. Select the problematic range, click Regenerate, and the audio will be revitalized to maintain engagement and flow.
- Regenerate can clean up background noises, ensuring the primary audio remains clear and uninterrupted.
Descript’s AI Features Will Make Your Editing Easier and Audio Better
Descript’s AI features are definitely changing the way we approach audio and video editing, making professional-quality production accessible to everyone. With these five tools, Descript empowers content creators to produce polished and engaging content effortlessly.
These AI-driven capabilities not only save time but also ensure that your creative vision is realized without the usual technical hurdles. Whether you’re a podcaster, video producer, or any kind of content creator, these features help you focus more on storytelling and less on the complexities of editing, ultimately delivering a better experience for your audience.