Import Zoom recordings into Descript

Import cloud recordings from your Zoom account directly into Descript projects. Descript transcribes audio, labels speakers, and sets up sequences so you can start editing right away.

You can view and import recordings from Zoom calls you scheduled, started, or hosted within the past 12 months. To import older recordings, download the file from Zoom, then upload it using the steps outlined in our Upload a file from your computer article.

This article covers:

For troubleshooting, visit our Troubleshooting Issues with Importing Zoom Recordings page.

Looking for an easier way to meet and record?

Rooms (Descript’s conferencing tool and recorder) lets you meet, record, and collaborate in one place. Learn how to use Rooms.

First-time setup

Before you import Zoom recordings, configure your Zoom settings and connect your Zoom account to Descript.

Connect your Zoom account

  1. Open Descript and click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the window.
  2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
  3. In the left-hand panel, select the Connected apps tab.
  4. Click Connect with Zoom and follow the prompts to authorize access to your Zoom cloud recordings.

Settings page showing the option to connect Descript with Zoom

IT-managed Zoom accounts

If your organization restricts Zoom apps, ask your IT team to allow Descript’s Zoom integration and whitelist *.zoom.us.

Permissions

Once connected, Descript can view your Zoom cloud recordings and access the audio and video files from recordings you choose to import. Descript doesn’t automatically download recordings. Note: you can only view and import recordings from Zoom calls you scheduled, started, or hosted.

Recommended Zoom configuration

For the most flexibility when editing in Descript, update these Zoom settings:

  1. Log in to your Zoom account on the web and go to Settings > Recording. This link will take you directly to the Recording settings page in Zoom (you may need to sign in).
  2. Toggle on Cloud recording. Descript’s Zoom integration can only import cloud recordings, not local recordings saved to your device.
  3. Enable Record a separate audio track for each participant. When selected, Zoom records individual audio files for each speaker, making it much easier to edit each person's audio track in Descript.
  4. Enable Record active speaker, gallery view, and shared screen separately. We recommend selecting all three options for the most control over your visuals in Descript.
About Zoom video files

Zoom always provides a combined video file with all participants. Your Zoom view settings determine which perspectives appear, but Zoom doesn’t provide separate video tracks per participant.

Will separate audio tracks use more media minutes?

No. Separate audio tracks don’t increase media minute usage. Descript charges media minutes once per meeting, based on the longest file duration.

Example: 1-hour Zoom meeting with 5 participants
Files imported: 6 total
Media minutes used: 60 minutes

Record and import workflow

In Zoom, click Record and select Record to the cloud.

Zoom option to record to the cloud

Then import your Zoom files into Descript:

  1. Open or create a project.
  2. Click Import from Zoom in the script area.
  3. Select a recording by meeting title. Note: If a recording is Processing, Zoom is still preparing the files. You'll need to wait for them to finish processing before they can be uploaded into your Descript project.
  4. Click Import. Descript will automatically add the files to your script, create a sequence, detect your speakers and transcribe the audio with your selected language in App Settings.

Disconnect Zoom

To unlink your Zoom account:

  1. Open Settings and select Connected Apps.
  2. Next to Zoom, select Log out.