Descript

What It Is:

Descript AI is an all-in-one audio and video recording and editing platform that leverages artificial intelligence to simplify this type of content creation. At its core, it allows users to become Positionless by allowing them edit audio and video files as if they were text documents — that means, editing the content by editing the texts on each file. 

As the tool automatically transcribes spoken content, users can delete or rearrange sections of the recording simply by editing the transcription itself, no needing to manually cut and splice the images in a timeline, rearrange audios, or worry with parts that don't fit together. 

Beyond editing, Descript AI integrates transcription, editing, voice synthesis, visual effects, and publication tools, equipping any kind of non-expert with simple-to-use tools so they don't need to wait for the video maker or the screenwriter to do simple adjustments on a video or to create an easier script.

Uses and Features of Descript AI:

Core Features

• Transcription: Converts audio/video to editable text
• Text‑based Editing: Edit media by editing transcript documents
• Overdub (Voice Cloning): Create or clone realistic synthetic voices
• Studio Sound & Noise Reduction: AI-driven cleanup of background noise and filler words
• Filler Word Removal: One-click removal of "ums," "ahs," and other hesitations

Recording & Collaborating

• Screen & Remote Recording: Built-in tools to record both screen and external guests
• Multitrack Audio Editing: Supports mixing separate audio tracks
• Real‑time Collaboration: Allows teams to edit and comment simultaneously

Video & Visual Tools

• Green Screen: Automatically remove and replace backgrounds
• Eye Contact Correction: AI aligns your gaze to simulate direct eye contact
• Automatic Multicam & Scene Editing: Simplify multi-angle clips and scene-based workflow
• Visual Effects & Color Control: Includes transitions, blur, filters, and color adjustments
• Stock Media & Templates: Access built‑in music, B‑roll, graphics, and pre‑made layouts

Guidance and assistance

• Find Good Clips: Auto-detects shareable moments from longer videos
• Podcast Show Notes & YouTube Descriptions: Generate summaries, chapters, and copy for marketing
• Social Post Writer: Create short-form social content from scripts
• Chapter Generator: Suggests chapter titles and markers
• Script Generator & Rewriter: Draft or rework scripts automatically
• Ask AI Anything: Interactive assistant for writing help
• Turn Script into Blog Post: Converts transcripts into blog-ready text

Language & Accessibility

• Translation: Translates audio/video into various languages
• Captions/Subtitles: Auto-generates VTT captions across formats
• Text‑to‑Speech Voices: Synthetic voice generation in multiple languages

Like all AI tools, Descript must be used with care and attention, especially if the purpose is to produce institutional and promotional content that will disclose important information to customers, potential partners, and other company's stakeholders.

If you're a self-employed person or a small entrepreneur, it's also important to be careful not to end up using content that appears poorly produced or containing incorrect information about you or your business.

Try This Prompt Out To...

...Create clips for social media!

After creating your free account, the first step is uploading a video file, such as a video podcast, interview, presentation, webinar, or live stream.  To create clips quickly and easily, you can simply go to Ask AI → Find Good Clips. 

Descript scans and marks strong moments that you can review before moving on to the next step, when the tool converts each highlight in a new composition.

You can also create more personalized clips, using one of the prompts below. The first one is a more direct version, with less information, and the second one is for those aiming for a deeper level of personalization. Substitute the information highlighted in yellow with the ones that fits your project:

Simpler and more direct prompt:

"From this full video, automatically select the 5 best self-contained moments (15–30s each) that will work as social clips.  

Turn each selection into a new composition, switch canvas to 9:16 (1080×1920), and apply a simple social media style with captions.  

Keep captions clear and centered, remove long silences, and make sure cuts start/end at natural sentence boundaries.  

Export-ready settings: MP4, 1080×1920, 30fps."

More refined prompt (more editing knowledge needed):

"Create 5 vertical clips (15–25s) from this composition for TikTok. 

Constraints:

• Use the hooks about features; each clip must stand alone (context + payoff).

• Aspect ratio 9:16 (1080×1920).

• Add captions with smart line breaks; bold key phrases; speaker name once in small caps.

• Style pack: “Helsinki Blueberry — light”; accent color #E6007E.

• Subtle punch-in/out zooms to hide jump cuts; add AI b-roll/stills if helpful.

• Remove filler words/long pauses if it improves flow.

Deliverables:

• Name each clip “{Topic} — {Hook}”.

• For each, draft a 130-character caption + 5 hashtags.

• Place outputs in a folder called “Social Clips from name of original video”.

• Export as MP4, 1080×1920, 30 fps, H.264.

Common Mistakes Made and Limitations of Descript AI:

• Relying too heavily on auto-generated transcripts
   AI transcription is fast but not perfect. Mistakes in names, technical terms, or accents are common if not reviewed manually.
• Overusing Overdub (voice cloning)
   It can sound unnatural if used excessively or without proper voice training and pacing. Audiences may pick up on robotic tone.
• Assuming edits in transcript always match the timeline perfectly
   Deleting text may cut audio or video awkwardly, especially with pauses, overlaps, or background noise.
• Skipping filler word review before auto-deleting
   Removing "ums" and "ahs" in bulk can sometimes create unnatural pauses or abrupt cuts.
• Using default visuals and stock media without customization
   Makes the final product feel too generic. A personal or branded touch is often necessary.
• Publishing without checking the AI-generated captions or summaries
   Auto-generated captions may contain errors, and AI descriptions might miss key context or tone.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes:

• Always review transcriptions and edits manually, especially in public-facing content.
• Use Overdub sparingly, mainly for small corrections or filler, not full narration.
• Test audio quality after AI cleanup to avoid distortion or over-filtering.
• Ensure export settings match your platform (e.g., frame rate for YouTube or bitrate for podcast hosts).
  Maintain brand consistency in tone, visuals, and format — don’t rely only on templates.
• And most important, know when to call out for an expert!

When should non-experts call experts?

n should non-experts call experts?

• For complex sound mixing or cinematic edits, specialized editors and tools like Adobe Premiere or Audition are still necessary. 
• If the project involves brand reputation (e.g., ads, feature/product launch videos), a video editor or brand designer should produce or, at least, review the output to ensure visual and tonal consistency.
• An audio engineer must be required to clean it up more effectively, noisy, distorted, or poorly recorded audio. If the ambience or recording equipment are not good, it is better to rely on a studio and its team to have everything set for you.
• If you're replacing large portions of dialogue or narration with synthetic voice, a voice coach or sound editor could be more useful to guide pacing and tone of the speaker. 
• When writing scripts for legal, medical, or any kind of sensitive content, an expert or subject matter specialist should review for compliance, terminology accuracy, tone, and ethical matters. 
• Descript offers basic translation, but for localization (e.g., cultural nuances, subtitles), a professional translator or localization expert should be involved.
• When working with complex multicam setups, transitions, and synced audio, a video editor can ensure a polished, non-distracting result beyond automated cuts.
• An editor or social strategist should curate the automatic clips selection to ensure they align with audience interest and platform needs and trends.
• If content will air on TV, radio, or high-exposure channels, it is necessary to involve production and post-production experts to create higher-quality material. 

Notes on pricing

Descript is a freemium platform ideal for podcasters, content creators, and marketing teams. The Free plan offers basic recording, transcription, and editing tools for short projects. To get access to unlimited transcription, filler-word removal, AI voice cloning, and multi-track video editing, users can upgrade to the Creator, Pro, or Enterprise plans. Each tier provides different levels of collaboration features, export quality, and automation tools. You can explore all plan options and pricing details here.

How Optimove's Positionless Marketing Platform Can Help

Once Descript AI can empower marketers to easily create and edit high-quality content, Optimove can ensure that the content will drive impact by delivering it to the right audiences, at the right time, through the right channels. Optimove’s AI and agentic marketing capabilities place Descript-made videos or podcasts into personalized customer journeys. Marketers can automatically segment audiences, generate tailored messages, and orchestrate multichannel campaigns based on real-time customer behavior. Together, tools such as Descript AI and Optimove's Positionless Marketing Platform enable marketers to be truly positionless: creating, optimizing, and delivering content from start to finish.