Descript changed podcast editing by turning audio into text. After you record or import an episode, it transcribes it, and you cut, move, and delete sections by editing the words, which is much faster than working on waveforms. Filler words and long pauses can be removed in bulk, and multitrack editing, music, and effects are available for more polished shows.
Recording and polishing tools are built in. Remote recording captures guests in high quality, Studio Sound improves voice clarity and reduces noise, and an Overdub feature can fix mistakes with a synthetic version of your voice. AI assistants draft titles, descriptions, and show notes, suggest chapters, and generate clips and audiograms for social media. Episodes can be published to hosting platforms or exported.
Descript has a free plan and paid plans with more transcription hours and AI features. It’s best for talk-based shows and less suited to music production, where a digital audio workstation is better. Alternatives include Riverside for recording and editing, Adobe Podcast, Audacity, which is free, Hindenburg, and Alitu. Descript suits podcasters who prefer to edit like they edit a document.