Descript is a powerful video editor suitable for a wide range of content creation, from podcasts and YouTube videos to TikTok reels. While Descript offers a user-friendly interface, mastering the timeline tools can significantly speed up your editing workflow and unlock more advanced editing capabilities.

This guide will provide a step-by-step overview of the tools available in Descript's timeline.

Behind the Scenes

Displaying and Adjusting Layers

• Show/Hide Timeline: Toggle the visibility of the timeline using the Show Timeline button. The timeline's display size can be adjusted based on the complexity of your project and your screen's size. You can choose between 'default' or 'large' layer sizes.

• Layers: In Descript's timeline, the bottom row represents your base script, with audio or script contents. Visual assets or additional audio layers are stacked above this.

• Layer Order: Visualize your layers as stacked from top to bottom. The topmost layer is visible unless overlaid by another visual and can be rearranged to achieve the desired order. Use "Bring to Front" or "Send to Back" to manipulate these layers.

Editing Tools and Features

Descript offers a suite of tools along the bottom and right side of the timeline, designed to fine-tune your project.

Basic Navigation Tools

• Timeline & Clock: Use these to show/hide the timeline and track your position in the video, respectively. Navigation tools help jump between scenes quickly.

Key Timeline Tools

• Select Tool: This is your primary tool, used to click, drag, and manipulate elements within the timeline.

• Blade Tool: Ideal for cutting or splitting clips, providing a precise way to trim your content.

• Range Tool: Allows selection of a specific section of a clip, useful for marking and deleting parts of your video.

• Slip Tool: Adjust the specific timing of a clip within its current edit boundaries without altering the overall timeline layout.

• Hand Tool: For navigating the timeline without making edits.

Fine-Tuning and Polishing

The timeline in Descript provides more control over the final polish of your video:

• Precision Edits: Zoom in on waveforms to manually adjust the timing of clips, addressing issues that arise from transcript-based edits.

• Add Effects: Create fades and other transitional effects by trimming or modifying specific parts of a clip.

Advanced Features and Layouts

Explore additional features by right-clicking on a scene, allowing you to add, merge, or customize layouts. Custom layouts can be copied and pasted to suit different visual arrangements within the same project.

New to Descript? Here's our quick-start guide to mastering Descript in just 15 minutes.

Final Take

By understanding and utilizing the tools and techniques outlined in this guide, you can take full advantage of Descript's timeline for more precise, efficient, and creative video editing. Experiment with each tool and explore different workflows to discover the methods that best suit your style and project needs. Whether you're trimming clips, adding fades, or adjusting timing, the Descript timeline gives you precise control to refine your edits.