Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, content creation is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, educator, or marketer, having the right tools can significantly streamline your workflow and elevate the quality of your output. Descript is an AI-powered audio and video editing tool that has rapidly become a favorite among content creators due to its innovative approach to editing.

Unlike traditional editing software, Descript blends transcription with editing, allowing you to manipulate your audio and video as if you were editing a text document. This means you can cut out ums, ahs, or awkward pauses just by deleting words in the transcript. Additionally, it offers powerful features like Overdub—AI voice cloning to fix mistakes without needing to re-record—and screen recording capabilities that make it a versatile all-in-one solution.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through installing Descript on your Mac, setting it up, and getting started with your first project. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to optimize your content production, this post will give you the knowledge and confidence to harness Descript’s power effectively.

What Is Descript?

An Overview of Descript’s Key Features

Descript is much more than a simple audio or video editor. It fundamentally changes how creators interact with their content through a few standout features:

Audio/Video Transcription: One of Descript’s core capabilities is its ability to transcribe audio and video files automatically. The AI converts spoken words into editable text, making it easy to search, navigate, and modify recordings. This transcription is the foundation for text-based editing.
Text-Based Editing: Instead of manually trimming audio waveforms or chopping video clips, you edit your transcript as if it were a Word document. Want to remove filler words like “uh” or “you know”? Just delete those words, and Descript edits the audio/video accordingly. This intuitive approach saves hours of manual editing time.
Overdub (AI Voice Cloning): Overdub allows you to create an AI voice model based on your own voice. After recording a training script, you can generate new audio content simply by typing text. This feature is invaluable for correcting small mistakes or adding new lines without returning to the microphone.
Screen Recording and Publishing: Descript also serves as a screen recorder, enabling you to capture your desktop, webcam, and microphone in one go. After recording, you can edit and publish directly from the app, simplifying the entire production process.

Who Should Use Descript?

Descript is designed for anyone working with audio or video who wants a simpler, more efficient editing experience. This includes:

Podcasters who need fast, accurate editing to produce high-quality episodes.
YouTubers and video creators looking for streamlined ways to edit their content.
Educators and trainers who create instructional videos or courses.
Marketers and social media managers who produce promotional content and need quick turnaround.
Journalists and interviewers who rely on transcription for accuracy and content repurposing.

Its combination of transcription, AI, and straightforward editing tools makes Descript a versatile choice for creatives at all levels.

System Requirements for macOS

Before installing Descript on your Mac, it’s essential to ensure your system meets the necessary requirements. Running the software on an unsupported or underpowered system can lead to crashes, slow performance, and frustration.

Supported macOS Versions

Descript requires macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later. This includes all recent versions like Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, and Ventura. If you’re running an older version of macOS, it’s best to upgrade your system to use Descript smoothly.

Hardware Specifications

Processor: At least a dual-core Intel processor or Apple Silicon (M1, M2). The newer the processor, the faster transcription and rendering will be.
RAM: Minimum 8 GB is recommended. More RAM (16 GB or more) will enhance performance, especially with longer or high-resolution projects.
Storage: The app itself takes around 500 MB, but depending on your projects, you should have at least 5-10 GB of free space available for media files and temporary working files.
Internet Connection: While you can work offline on existing projects, transcription and Overdub features require an active internet connection.

Why These Requirements Matter

Audio and video editing are resource-intensive tasks. Transcribing speech to text, applying AI voice cloning, and rendering video edits all demand significant CPU power and memory. Ensuring your Mac meets these specs will help you avoid lag, crashes, and long processing times.

How to Install Descript on macOS

Getting Descript up and running on your Mac is a quick process that anyone can follow, even without prior technical expertise.

Step 1: Download the Installer

Open your preferred web browser.
Navigate to the official Descript website: https://www.descript.com/
On the homepage, locate and click the Download for Mac button.
The .dmg installer file will begin downloading to your Downloads folder.

Step 2: Install the App

Open the Downloads folder from the Dock or Finder.
Find the downloaded .dmg file, typically named something like Descript.dmg.
Double-click the file to mount it. A new window will open displaying the Descript app icon and the Applications folder shortcut.
Drag the Descript icon into the Applications folder shortcut. This copies the app onto your Mac.
Once copied, eject the mounted installer by clicking the eject icon next to it in Finder’s sidebar or right-clicking and selecting Eject.

Step 3: Launch Descript

Open the Applications folder via Finder or Launchpad.
Double-click Descript to open it.
On first launch, macOS may block the app, warning that it’s from an unidentified developer.
To bypass this, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab.
You’ll see a message about Descript being blocked; click Open Anyway.
Confirm again in the prompt to launch the app.

Setting Up Descript

After installation, the next step is setting up your account and familiarizing yourself with the app interface.

Create or Log In to Your Account

Descript requires an account to sync your projects and enable AI features like transcription and Overdub.

You can sign up with your Google account, Apple ID, or an email address.
Existing users can simply log in.

Initial Onboarding

Once logged in, Descript will guide you through a brief onboarding process, introducing core features like text-based editing and Overdub.

You’ll be prompted to grant microphone and camera access. This is important if you want to record audio, video, or screen capture directly within Descript.
Next, you’ll be asked to create your first project. This project will serve as your workspace for media editing.

Creating a New Project

Click the New Project button.
Name your project (e.g., “Podcast Episode 1” or “Marketing Video”).
You’re now ready to import media or record directly.

Basic Usage – Getting Started with Your First Project

This section explains how to work inside Descript and get the most out of its innovative editing workflow.

1. Importing Media

Descript supports a wide range of audio and video formats:

Audio: MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, FLAC
Video: MP4, MOV, AVI, MPEG

You can import files in two main ways:

Drag and Drop: Simply drag your media files from Finder directly into the Descript project window.
Add File Button: Inside a project, click Add File or Import and select your files.

2. Transcription

Once media is imported:

Descript automatically starts transcribing the audio.
The speed depends on the length of the file and your internet speed, but typically it takes less than real-time.
The transcript appears as editable text alongside your media’s waveform.

3. Editing Audio/Video via Text

This is where Descript’s unique power shines.

To remove filler words like “um,” “ah,” or repeated phrases, just highlight and delete them in the transcript.
When you delete text, the corresponding audio/video is removed automatically.
You can rearrange sentences by cutting and pasting text, and the media timeline updates accordingly.
For finer control, use the timeline below the transcript to trim clips or add transitions.

4. Using Overdub (Optional but Powerful)

Overdub enables you to create new audio clips by typing text that Descript reads in your voice.

First, record a training script that Descript uses to learn your voice.
Once trained, you can type corrections or additions.
Descript generates the audio seamlessly, making it easy to fix mistakes without needing to re-record the entire segment.

5. Exporting Your Work

Once editing is complete, exporting options include:

Audio Only: Export as MP3, WAV, or other formats.
Video: Export MP4 with your video edits applied.
Transcripts: Export your transcript as a text file or subtitles.
Publishing: Share projects online via Descript’s link-sharing or publish to platforms like YouTube or podcast hosts directly.

Tips and Tricks for Better Workflow

Here are some ways to boost your efficiency in Descript:

Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Commands like Cmd+K for quick search, Cmd+Z for undo, and Spacebar for play/pause will speed up your editing.
Organize Projects: Group related projects into folders to stay organized, especially useful if you handle multiple clients or content series.
Collaborate with Teams: Use Descript’s cloud-based collaboration tools to invite teammates, leave comments, and track changes.
Use Version History: Descript automatically saves versions so you can revert if needed.
Set Filler Word Detection: Customize the detection of filler words for a cleaner transcript.
Preview Before Exporting: Always review your project in both transcript and timeline views.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

App Won’t Launch

Check macOS Security settings and allow the app explicitly.
Restart your Mac and try again.
Ensure you’re running a supported macOS version.

Audio Not Syncing with Transcript

Try re-running transcription.
Check if your audio file has multiple channels and ensure Descript is set to the correct input.

Descript Is Slow or Lagging

Close other apps consuming RAM.
Increase your Mac’s RAM if possible.
Clear cache or restart Descript.
Work with smaller project files if large.

Conclusion

Descript revolutionizes audio and video editing by making it more intuitive and efficient. For Mac users, it offers a seamless installation process combined with powerful features like text-based editing and AI voice cloning that simplify post-production. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or just starting, Descript empowers you to produce polished, professional content with less effort.

Ready to start your first project? Download Descript today and experience how AI-powered editing can transform your workflow!

How to Install and Use Descript on macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide