How to Correctly Assemble Multi-track Sequence in Descript

How to correctly assemble a multi-track sequence in Descript, targeting beginner editors who are unfamiliar with the process.
A sequence allows for multi-track timelines where multiple video or audio tracks can be aligned and played in sync. I explain a common mistake made by beginners when adding tracks to a sequence in Descript and demonstrate the correct method to avoid synchronization issues.
The tutorial covers the process of selecting and creating a sequence, adjusting audio levels and applying studio sound to individual tracks, renaming tracks for clarity, and the benefits of using sequences such as non-destructive editing and maintaining synchronization across edits.
Additionally, I touch on the importance of understanding the sequence and composition relationship in Descript. Once you master sequences in Descript, you will discover many more options open up and flexibility in editing your videos, audio, etc.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Common Mistakes When Assembling Sequences
01:32 Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Sequence Assembly
03:33 Enhance Your Sequence with Advanced Editing
05:29 Finalizing and Utilizing Your Sequence
08:45 Non-Destructive Editing in Sequences
09:49 Conclusion
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#cristicotovan #descript #multitracks

[@Graphicious]

The Media Makers Club: Descript courses, mini-courses, Q&A Sessions, Coaching calls. Join here: www.mediamakers.club

[@614Headsets]

Thank you for making videos like this one that are so well laid out to learn from. Not everyone has the same skills and this helps the rest of us follow and pursue our passion projects!

[@Graphicious]

You're very welcome! Glad you found it helpful! Feel free to ask any more questions if you find something you're struggling with in Descript.

[@JohannesSundlo]

Very useful and just what I was looking for - thank you!

[@Graphicious]

Great to hear that, thanks!

[@globalprofessionalsportugal]

Thank you! Amazing. I suggest you add some keywords to the description about showing two speakers or one speaker and a slide show from two different video feeds. I searched for that and this did not come up. Luckily in the FB group someone told me that this is called sequences. THANKS

[@filmicrant]

*Your videos are well-detailed and explained. Please keep up the good work. You're deeply appreciated.*

[@Graphicious]

I appreciate that! I will! Make sure you keep an eye on notifications, I'm going to do weekly LIVE shows as well, on Wednesdays!

[@HighStrangeness2024]

Hi, so i lost the video in a recording (while using Squadcast), meaning everything taped, but when going to download, the video portion of my interviewee didn't render. So i went into the cloud recording and downloaded it. however, that recording came down as a single recording with both me and my interviewee on the same single track. is there a way to sequence it at this point or am i stuck with a single recording at this point? I hope that made sense. thank you

[@royhurst1004]

Thanks! This was a great explainer. One question: if I have a tape sync interview where the two recordings don't start at the same time on the timeline, how do I line up the tracks and get them in sync? Can I line them up properly while they are stacked one above the other? Is it as easy as using the blade or slip tool?

[@Graphicious]

You should be able to stack them in tracks in a sequence and then shift them left or right to sync properly. You can also cut them with the Blade tool and move segments around but make sure you don’t drag one segment over another because it will overwrite it. Also, it’s best to do the aligning before you make any edits in the composition so as not to shift audio under the cuts.

[@royhurst1004]

@@Graphicious Beautiful. Thank you!

[@Graphicious]

Happy to help.

[@bakertamory]

Thank you for the awesome content and great simple explanations! I am doing a video podcast interview with 3 camera setup - multicam. Main wide angle camera facing both guest and host. Another camera only facing guest. Another camera facing only facing host. In Descript, how can I load all three videos so that at times I am showing the wide angle, then I cut to the host only, and then cut to the guest only? I have a separate audio recording using Rode so the video and audio need to be synced up. Or is it better to do all the video editing with the cut scenes in Final Cut and then export the final video to descript to edit the final video and fix the audio?

[@Graphicious]

You can do what you describe in Descript, with sequences. Just add all the videos AND the audio in a sequence, synchronise them, then mute the videos so that only your clean audio is on. Then you can create a composition from that sequence and each video track will be exposed as a layer. You can turn them on, off, hide them, resize them, switch cameras back and forth using Scenes. This video will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5uoYWOsoMiNbLs

[@bakertamory]

@@Graphicious when you say "Just add all the videos AND the audio in a sequence, synchronise them" I have to do it manually right? There is no way like in Final Cut for the software to do it automagically right? If the answer is no that cannot happen in Descript, then do you suggest a better workflow us to edit the video, multi cam, audio syncing all in final cut, and then import the edited video into Descript and reimport the high quality audio from Rode mics and then do the final audio finetuning that way? Or do you think there is a better way?

[@Graphicious]

You're right, Descript does not do automatic synchronization in multi-cam sequences like other software does. This alignment has to be manual. But if you only have like 3 or 4 files, that shouldn't take you long. I would still do it in Descript if I only had 2-3 people. You still retain that flexibility of switching cameras, extracting social clips with the correct camera when needed, etc. The only time I go to another software is if I have too many files. Recently, I had a few 'round table' type interviews with 6 people and Descript cannot cope with that many video streams. I did everything in DaVinci -- multi-cam AND a separate cam with grid of all 6 people. Then I exported from there TWO video files. One with the camera changes and one with the grid so I can go in Descript and switch between single person view, to grid view, and back and so on. But I retained flexibility to only show the person view for social clips. I will document the entire workflow in a minicourse I'm doing soon.

[@bakertamory]

@@Graphicious Really appreciate this Cristi! You are awesome and a fantastic resource for us! God bless and keep up the great work.

[@Graphicious]

Thanks a lot! Happy to hear it helps someone. :D