The Editor recorder allows you to record directly into an open project when you want to create something new, or update an existing project with new media.

Access & set up the Editor Recorder

Open a Descript project and click the Record button in the play dock at the bottom of the editor to access the Editor Recorder

You'll have four options available:

Camera: Record just a connected camera.
Screen: Select a full screen or specific window to capture.
Audio: Record only from an available audio input.
Record with others: Join a remote recording session with guests. Learn more about recording with others in Rooms

When you hit record:

If the script is empty, the recorder will take over the full Descript window.
If the script already contains content (like scratch text or a transcription), the recorder will open within the script editor instead.

Record into the script, replace a selection or record a new layer

You can record content into your composition in three different ways:

Record into script — Left-click to place the playhead cursor where you'd like to start recording into the Script.
Replace selection — Highlight a portion of the script to record over any selection and replace it with a new recording.
Record new layer — Select any scene by clicking the Scene overlay in the Timeline or by clicking the Slash mark in the Script to record into a new layer.

Current recording length limitations

The Editor recorder supports up to 4 hours on both Windows and macOS. Be sure to plan your recording sessions accordingly.

Editor recorder settings

You can configure additional options and default behaviors by selecting the Recording settings button in the top right corner of the recorder panel.

Feature	Description
Countdown	When toggled on, recording is delayed for 3-second after clicking the record button.
Transcription	When toggled on, Descript transcribes the recorded audio after the recording finishes.
Default Speaker	Sets a default speaker label for the transcribed audio after recording completes.
Studio Sound	When toggled on, Studio Sound is automatically applied to your microphone or computer audio after the recording is finished. Note: applying Studio Sound counts as 1 Basic AI use, and your available usage depend on your plan. See our pricing page for details.
Auto gain control	Enable this to allow Descript to automatically adjust the audio input gain of your recording device.
Default resolution	Descript supports 4k (beta), 1440p, 1080p, 720p, and 480p recordings. Please note that your plan could limit the maximum recording resolution you can select in the recording settings.

A note about recording resolution

Video recording resolution capabilities are ultimately determined by the camera you use during recording, as well as the desktop resolution of the screen you record.

For example, if you set your recording resolution in Descript to 4K but use a camera that can only record up to 1080p, your recording’s video resolution will be 1080p.

Center Me and Grid Options

In the recorder panel, you'll also find a person icon labeled "Center Me." This feature overlays an outline of a person on your video preview, assisting you in positioning yourself at the center of the camera frame. Additionally, you can activate a grid overlay while recording to help ensure your recording is framed precisely as you would like. Both of these tools are especially useful for achieving a professional look in your video recordings.

Configure your audio input(s)

Descript uses your system's input volume for recording. Learn how to adjust input volume for macOS or how to adjust input volume for Windows. If you are using an external audio device — such as an audio interface or mixer — make sure you to adjust the input volume on the device. Please consult the device's documentation for adjusting audio input levels.

Using multiple audio inputs

If you’re using an interface or mixer that supports multiple inputs, only one output should be routed to Descript. For more information on supported multi-input setups, see How to record multiple USB mics or devices at the same time on MacOS