How to Import and Edit Zoom Recordings in Descript

After setting up your Zoom and Descript integration, you're ready to start recording and importing your Zoom sessions seamlessly. To ensure your recordings are accessible in Descript, select Record to the cloud when you begin your Zoom session.

Looking for an easier way to meet and record?

Rooms (Descript’s conferencing tool and recorder) lets you meet, record, and collaborate—all in one place. It’s simpler, faster, and fully integrated. Learn how to use Rooms.

When you import a Zoom recording into Descript, several things happen automatically:

  1. Files are added to your Descript project
  2. A sequence is created: Descript generates a sequence to keep audio and video files synced. Learn more about sequences.
  3. The sequence is added to your composition's script and is ready for editing.
  4. Audio files are transcribed: Audio-only files are transcribed. Audio from video files is muted by default and not transcribed.
  5. Speaker labels are assigned: Descript automatically assigns speaker labels, which you can adjust later.

This process ensures your project is ready for immediate editing as soon as the import is complete.

Want to switch between video views? Change the view (e.g., gallery or speaker) using the multicam selector in the Properties panel or by using the Change source context menu.

Transcription language and timing

Descript uses the default transcription language from your account settings. By default, this is set to Auto, and Descript will try to detect the appropriate language automatically. Transcription time is calculated based on the total duration of the recording—not per track or file. Learn more about how transcription time is calculated.

Recording in Zoom

To ensure your recordings are accessible to Descript, select Record to the cloud when starting your Zoom session.

Zoom record to cloud option

Descript can only import cloud recordings, which offer more file types and greater editing flexibility than local recordings.

Importing a Zoom recording into a new project

After finishing your Zoom call, import the recording into Descript by following these steps:

  1. Create a new project: In the script area, click Import from Zoom.
    Import from Zoom button
  2. Select the recording: Choose your Zoom meeting from the list. Files will be labeled by meeting title.
    Zoom file processing notice

    Zoom takes time to process cloud recordings after a meeting ends. Import may be delayed depending on the recording length and number of files.

  3. Import the files: Descript will begin importing your Zoom content and setting up your new project.
  4. Edit your project: Once the import is complete, you’re ready to edit.

Importing a Zoom recording into an existing project

If you want to import a Zoom recording into an existing Descript project:

  1. Place your cursor: Click in the script where you'd like the recording inserted.
  2. Open the Project panel: Navigate to the Project panel.
  3. Import from Zoom: Under the Files section, click the folder + globe icon, then select Import from Zoom.
    Import from Zoom icon in Files section
  4. Select the recording: Choose the meeting from the list.
  5. Import the files: Descript will begin importing your Zoom content into the open project.
  6. Edit your project: The processed sequence will be added to your composition at the playhead.

Accessing older Zoom recordings with Descript

Descript’s Zoom integration can only access cloud recordings from the past 12 months. If your recording is older, download it from Zoom manually and import it into Descript via the Upload option.