Introduction

If you watch professional videos—whether they’re documentaries, YouTube vlogs, corporate presentations, or tutorials—you’ll notice a common thread: they rarely rely on a single continuous shot. Instead, they weave in additional clips that complement the main footage. These extra clips are known as B-roll, and they’re an essential part of effective video storytelling.

B-roll serves many functions—it can clarify what’s being discussed, hide abrupt cuts, and keep the video visually interesting. Yet for many beginners, managing B-roll can feel complicated and intimidating.

This is where Descript comes in. Descript is a modern, beginner-friendly video editing tool that combines a simple, transcript-based editing workflow with powerful video capabilities. It makes adding and fine-tuning B-roll easier and more accessible than traditional editing software.

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to add, edit, and sync B-roll footage in Descript to enhance your videos. Whether you’re a teacher creating instructional content, a marketer crafting promotional videos, or a hobbyist filmmaker, mastering B-roll in Descript will elevate the quality of your work.

What is B-Roll and Why Use It?

Before we jump into the software, it’s important to understand the basics: what is B-roll, and why does it matter?

What is B-Roll?

The term “B-roll” originates from the early days of film production. Traditionally, the primary footage—often an interview or the main action—is called the A-roll. B-roll refers to all the supplementary footage that supports or enriches the A-roll.

Think of it this way: If your video’s A-roll is someone talking to the camera, the B-roll might be shots of what they’re describing, their environment, or related visuals that add context.

Common Types of B-Roll

Cutaways: These are shots that “cut away” from the main action to show something related. For example, if your A-roll is a person talking about a new smartphone, the B-roll might show close-ups of the phone’s screen, its design, or someone using it.
Reaction Shots: Footage of people reacting—smiling, laughing, or showing emotion—which helps convey feelings that the main speaker might mention.
Environmental or Establishing Shots: These help set the scene. If your video is about a cooking recipe, an exterior shot of the kitchen or market where ingredients are bought can serve as B-roll.
Illustrative Visuals: Graphics, animations, or stock footage that clarify complex ideas or provide visual interest.

Why Use B-Roll?

B-roll is more than just filler. Here are some key benefits:

Keeps Viewers Engaged: Watching only one shot for a long time can get boring. B-roll provides variety and visual interest, keeping viewers glued to your video.
Hides Jump Cuts: Jump cuts occur when there’s an awkward or noticeable edit in the main footage. B-roll can cover these jumps by overlaying related visuals, making the transitions smooth.
Adds Context and Clarity: B-roll can show what the speaker is talking about. For example, a tutorial on fixing a bike will benefit from close-ups of the repair steps.
Improves Storytelling: Well-chosen B-roll creates a richer narrative, enhancing the emotional and informational impact of your video.

In short, B-roll is essential for producing professional-looking videos that resonate with viewers.

Getting Started with Descript

Now that you understand the importance of B-roll, let’s set up your workspace in Descript.

Step 1: Installing and Opening Descript

Go to Descript.com and download the software for your operating system—Windows or Mac.
Run the installer and follow the instructions.
Open Descript and either sign in or create a new account. You can use Descript for free with some limits or upgrade for more features.

Step 2: Creating a New Project or Opening an Existing One

To start a fresh video, click the New Project button.
Name your project descriptively (e.g., “Bike Repair Tutorial”).
If you already have projects, open them from the Recent Projects or your saved files.

Step 3: Importing Your Main Footage (A-Roll)

Click the Import button or drag your main footage (the A-roll) directly into the project window.
Descript will process the video and generate a text transcript automatically using its speech-to-text engine. This transcript is one of Descript’s most powerful features—it allows you to edit your video by editing text.

Why Import A-Roll First?

The main footage is your video’s foundation. Importing it first lets you review the transcript, find key moments, and prepare the timeline where B-roll will be added.

How to Add B-Roll in Descript

With your A-roll imported, it’s time to add B-roll footage.

Step 1: Import B-Roll Assets

You can import your B-roll clips the same way you imported your main footage:

Drag and drop video clips, images, or audio files into the Media Library.
Alternatively, click Import Media and browse your files.
Once imported, it’s good practice to rename your files clearly (e.g., “Close-up of screwdriver” or “Market exterior shot”) to find them easily later.
Organize your assets into folders or groups if you have many clips.

Step 2: Inserting B-Roll Over A-Roll

There are two main approaches to adding B-roll over your main footage:

Using the Transcript to Find the Spot

One of Descript’s standout features is its transcript-based editing. You can click on specific words or sentences in the transcript to jump directly to that point in the video.

Find the phrase you want to support with B-roll.
Click that part of the transcript, which moves the playhead to the exact moment.
Drag your B-roll clip from the Media Library and drop it onto the timeline at that position.

This method ensures your B-roll aligns closely with the narration or dialogue.

Using the Timeline

You can also work directly in the timeline:

Scroll to the timeline’s point where you want the B-roll.
Drag and drop your B-roll clip above or in place of the A-roll footage.

Overlaying vs. Replacing Footage

Overlay B-Roll: Place the B-roll on a separate video track above the A-roll. This way, the B-roll appears visually while the A-roll’s audio continues playing. This is great for showing related visuals without cutting away from the speaker’s voice.
Replace Footage: Sometimes you want to swap the A-roll entirely with B-roll (both video and audio). This works if the B-roll has its own narration or is intended to be the main focus.

Choose the method depending on your creative goals and whether the B-roll has important sound.

Step 3: Adjusting B-Roll Settings

Once placed, you can adjust how your B-roll looks and sounds:

Resize: Click on the B-roll clip in the canvas window and drag the corners to enlarge or shrink it. This is useful if you want to show the clip as a picture-in-picture or fill the whole frame.
Reposition: Click and drag the clip to move it within the frame.
Crop: Use the cropping handles to cut out unwanted parts of the B-roll footage, focusing on important details.
Volume: If the B-roll contains audio, adjust its volume or mute it altogether to avoid clashing with the main audio.
Trim Clips: Drag the edges of the clip in the timeline to shorten or extend it. This helps match the B-roll length perfectly with the narration.

Editing and Syncing B-Roll with Audio

Synchronizing B-roll with audio is critical to keeping your video smooth and professional.

Using the Transcript to Sync B-Roll

Descript’s transcript lets you see the exact words as text and where they appear in the timeline.

Identify keywords or phrases where B-roll will be most effective.
Use those points as reference for starting or ending your B-roll clips.
For example, if the speaker says “turn the screwdriver clockwise,” insert a close-up B-roll clip of the screwdriver at that moment.

Adjusting Timing for Seamless Transitions

Watch your video multiple times to spot awkward cuts or mismatched visuals.
Shift B-roll clips slightly forward or backward in the timeline to create natural transitions.
Avoid abrupt jumps by trimming clips smoothly.

Organizing B-Roll with Markers and Labels

For complex projects with lots of B-roll:

Use markers (small flags in the timeline) to tag important moments.
Add labels or notes to remind yourself what each B-roll clip represents.
This organization saves time and confusion during detailed editing.

Advanced Tips for B-Roll in Descript

Once you’ve mastered the basics, these tips can help make your videos look even more professional.

Adding Transitions and Fade Effects

Use Descript’s transition tools to add fade-ins and fade-outs on B-roll clips.
Fades soften the start or end of a clip, making changes feel less sudden.
Experiment with crossfades between clips for a smooth flow.

Using Stock Footage

If you don’t have your own B-roll clips, Descript offers a built-in stock media library with thousands of royalty-free videos and images.

Search for relevant clips inside Descript.
Import and insert them just like your own footage.
Stock footage is especially useful for general scenes like cityscapes, nature, or technology shots.

Layering Multiple Visuals

You can layer two or more B-roll clips or images on top of each other for dynamic effects.

Try combining a background video with a smaller, picture-in-picture clip.
Use layering for split-screen effects or to highlight different angles.

Adding Motion Effects

Descript supports simple motion effects like zooming or panning on clips.

These effects add life to static shots or still images.
Use zooms to emphasize details or guide viewers’ attention.

Exporting Your Final Video

After fine-tuning your B-roll and main footage, it’s time to export your finished video.

Step 1: Preview Your Project

Watch the entire video to check the timing of B-roll clips.
Listen carefully for audio overlaps or inconsistencies.
Make sure the transitions feel smooth and natural.

Step 2: Export Settings

Choose the right settings for your project’s purpose:

Resolution: 1080p (Full HD) is standard and looks great on most screens.
Format: MP4 is widely compatible and efficient for sharing online.
Captions: If your project requires subtitles or captions, enable them here.

Step 3: Final Checklist

Before exporting, confirm:

All B-roll clips are synced well with narration.
Audio levels are balanced to avoid sudden volume changes.
No missing clips or broken media links.
The transcript matches the final cut.

When ready, click Export and save your video file.

Conclusion

Using B-roll effectively is one of the simplest ways to make your videos more engaging, informative, and professional. While it might seem complex at first, Descript’s user-friendly tools simplify the entire process from importing to editing and exporting.

By leveraging Descript’s transcript-based editing, you can add and sync B-roll clips precisely where they make the biggest impact. The software’s flexibility allows for everything from simple overlays to advanced layering and transitions.

Remember, video editing is part art, part technique. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different B-roll footage, effects, and timings to discover what best tells your story.

The more you practice adding and refining B-roll in Descript, the faster and more confident you’ll become. Soon, you’ll be creating compelling videos that captivate your audience and communicate your message clearly.

If you want to dive deeper, Descript offers tutorials and sample projects to help you practice these skills hands-on.

Happy editing—and may your videos shine with the power of great B-roll!

How to Add and Edit B-Roll in Descript (Step-by-Step Guide)