How to edit out your audio mistakes

/ Max Thorpe

In this episode, Max and Tyler use a previous interview to show how to make global changes to a long clip as well as 6 different methods of removing filler words such as "uh, like, and um" from your audio.

Tyler points out that it is extremely time-saving to color correct your long clips before you begin cutting them — rather than individually adjusting the brightness and contrast for each individual clip after you've cut them (5:00). Next, the Tuesday Tips duo begins explaining each different method of removing filler words in our online video editor.

1. Jumpcut (6:02)

The first method of removing filler words is with a simple jump cut. To do this, cut the clip right before the filler word and then again right after the filler word. Next, delete the filler word clip and then close the remaining gap by either right-clicking and selecting close gap, or by dragging the clips together.

2. Muting the audio using keyframes (7:30)

This method is advantageous in that it does not require any cutting and thus keeps the full clip intact. Once you've identified the filler word, create a keyframe on the audio portion by clicking the top of the audio track and then again right after. You'll lower the second keyframe to the very bottom to mute the audio and then raise the audio back up after the filler word by creating two more keyframes. When you're finished, you'll end up with a U-shape on your audio track.

One thing to keep in mind with this method is that while the filler word has been muted, you'll still see the individual say that word since the visual portion of the video is unchanged.

3. Muting the audio by cutting the track (8:50)

This method is similar to muting the audio with keyframes because the visual component of the video remains unchanged. To do this, simply cut right before and after the filler word to create a small clip. Then you can right-click the clip to completely mute the audio.

4. Adding background music (9:31)

This method often works well in tandem with any of the options above. To do this, select an audio file and drag it down to your Audio 1 track. Then lower the volume enough so that you can still hear the people speaking. Generally somewhere in the 15-30% range works best.

5. Scaling in after your jumpcuts (15:35)

After you've removed the filler word using method 1, you can scale in on the following clip to accentuate that there was a change made and signify the passing of time. This is frequently used by vloggers who often have lengthy clips of them just speaking to the camera.

To do this, double-click the clip to open up the editor menu, and then select the transform tab and scale in or out using the scale slider.

6. Cover your video with B-roll (16:00)

Lastly, an easy way to hide your edits is to use B-roll. To do this drag a clip onto your Video 1 track right above the area where the audio edit was made. You'll want to make sure that this B-roll clip is muted so as to not interfere with the people speaking.

That's it! Give your favorite method a try in our online video editor.