Record Face and Screen with Descript

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Recording your face and screen with Descript is easy! One of the coolest features of Descript is the ability to record your face and screen at the same time. It cuts down on recording time and editing (since you can edit directly in Descript too!).

There’s more than one way to create a Descript video. Let me show you how to record your face and screen in Descript (and edit with scene layouts, too!)

VIDEO: Record Face and Screen with Descript

Some product links in this post are affiliate links, and I will be compensated when you purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Getting Started with Descript

Before we begin, ensure you have Descript installed on your computer. Also, make sure your microphone and camera are properly connected. If you’re using a built-in webcam and microphone, those will work fine too.

Related: Video Editing with Descript

Ways to Record Your Face and Screen in Descript:

A. Recording Directly in Descript

1. Create a New Project:
   • Open Descript and click on the top right corner to create a new video project.
   • Ensure your microphone and camera are connected. Select the appropriate inputs in the Descript settings.
2. Start Recording:
   • Click the record button in the middle of the screen hit record.
   • A preview window will open where you can select whether you want to record just your microphone (ex. Shure SM7dB which is connected through the Shure MVX2U) or your camera (Ex. Canon m50 Mark II), and microphone, or your screen, camera, and microphone.
   • Choose the correct microphone and camera from the input options.
3. Select Recording Options:
   • You can enable studio sound and automatic transcription if needed. Studio sound is useful for noisy environments, while transcription helps in editing.
4. Record Your Screen:
   • Choose how much of your screen you want to record. You can either drag to create a custom-sized box or press the space bar to record the entire screen.
   • After a countdown, your recording will start. You’ll see a small toolbar on the right where you can pause or stop the recording.
5. Save and Edit:
   • Once you stop the recording, Descript will automatically save and transcribe it.
   • You can then edit the recording, with the video of your face and screen synced together.

B. Using Descript Quick Record

1. Install Quick Record:
   • Ensure you have Descript Quick Record installed on your Mac (check compatibility for Windows).
2. Start a Quick Recording:
   • Click the Descript icon in your menu bar and select the quick record option.
   • Choose whether you want to record your entire screen or a specific tab.
3. Recording and Saving:
   • Hit record and share your screen.
   • Once done, the recording will open in Descript’s browser version for editing.

Related: How to Use Descript if You’re Used to a “Real” Video Editor

C. Using SquadCast.fm for Remote Recording

1. Set Up a Session:
   • As a Descript customer, you can use Squadcast.fm for remote recording.
   • Start a new session and grant the necessary permissions.
2. Record Your Face and Screen:
   • Select whether you want to record a browser tab, a window, or the entire screen.
   • Hit the record button and proceed with your session.
3. Editing in Descript:
   • Once the recording is done, you can open it in Descript for editing.

Editing Your Recordings

Descript automatically creates a sequence of your recordings, syncing your face and screen videos together. Here’s how to fine-tune your content:

1. Adjust Layout:
   • Open the sequence and manipulate the video layout. You can resize and move your face video around.
   • Use the shapes tool to change the video shape, like making it circular and placing it in the bottom right corner.
2. Create Scenes:
   • Break your video into different scenes to focus on either your face or the screen.
   • Save these scenes as templates for future use, making it easier to apply consistent layouts across multiple videos.
3. Add Templates:
   • Save specific layouts as templates and apply them to scenes in your future recordings. This ensures consistency and saves editing time.

Related: Descript’s New Editor Layout (what is Underlord??)

Conclusion

Recording your face and screen simultaneously with Descript is a straightforward process with multiple methods to choose from. Whether you use the main Descript app, Quick Record, or SquadCast.fm, you’ll find a method that suits your needs. Editing is also made simple with Descript’s intuitive interface, allowing you to create professional-looking videos with ease.

For more tips and tricks, grab my Descript cheat sheet, linked in the description, and check out additional tutorials on my channel.