Whether you are just creating videos for fun or you are hoping to make a business out of making videos, an essential step is editing. With the rise of YouTube and online video, quality editing is more important than ever before to captivate and retain viewers.
Luckily, advancements in consumer technology have made powerful editing tools available to anyone with a computer. In this guide, we‘ll explore the best free options for editing YouTube videos, along with step-by-step instructions to get you up and running.
A Brief History of YouTube and Video Editing
YouTube launched in 2005, allowing everyday users to upload and share videos publicly for the first time. Early YouTube videos were often raw footage directly from the camera, with no editing required.
As YouTube grew into a global video platform though, creators realized higher quality productions attracted more viewers. This drove demand for consumer video editing software.
In the late 2000s, tools like Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro transformed amateur video production. Timelines, transitions, titles, audio editing, and more became accessible to non-professionals.
Today, free software like DaVinci Resolve puts professional-grade editing tools from Hollywood blockbusters into any aspiring YouTuber’s hands. Online video has come a long way!
Comparing Video Editing Software Options
There are now many great options for editing YouTube videos ranging from completely free to paid subscription platforms. Here’s an overview:
YouTube Studio (Free)
YouTube‘s built-in web editor. Very limited functionality but easy to access.
Davinci Resolve (Free)
Extremely fully featured for a free program. Used for major TV and film projects. Steep learning curve.
HitFilm Express (Free)
Middle ground between YouTube Studio and Resolve. More capabilities than Studio but easier than Resolve.
Adobe Premiere Pro (Paid)
Industry standard for professionals. Very capable but complex interface.
For this guide, we’ll focus on editing with the totally free tools: YouTube Studio and Davinci Resolve. Both are excellent starting points for beginners before considering paid software.
Editing YouTube Videos Step-by-Step with Davinci Resolve
Davinci Resolve is an incredibly powerful piece of software for free. We‘ll walk through the basics, but entire courses exist just for Resolve. Let’s jump in!
Installing Davinci Resolve
First make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements. Then download Davinci Resolve for your operating system and install.
Creating A Project
Open Davinci Resolve and click New Project in the Project Manager. Give your project a name and save it to your desired folder location. This will be your central video project file going forward.
Importing Media
In the Media page, import your video clips by going to File -> Import Media or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Cmd+I. Resolve will create offline reference clips even for formats it can’t natively edit.
Starting Your Edit
Switch to the Edit page. This is where all editing magic happens! Drag your video clips from the media pool to your timeline to start your rough cut.
Trimming Clips
To tweak clip lengths in your timeline, click and drag either edge of any clip inwards to trim it. Removing dead space improves video pacing.
You can also split clips by positioning your playhead then pressing Ctrl/Cmd+B to add edit points.
Adding Music and Audio
Import any background tracks or sound effects just like video clips. Drag an audio file onto the timeline’s dedicated audio row. Adjust volume levels by sliding the orange dot on each track up or down.
Use theinspector panel on the top right to fine tune settings like enabling normalization for consistent volume.
Exporting Your Video
When your edit is complete, visit the Deliver page and add your video to the render queue. Choose the YouTube preset under Video Sharing for properly encoded output.
Customize file location, name, etc then click Start Render to export your final YouTube-ready video!
From start to finish your video is complete! Now grab some popcorn and bask in your editing glory as you watch the final cut. 🎥
Editing YouTube Videos Step-by-Step with YouTube Studio
For simple trimming and adjustments, YouTube‘s built-in Studio editor is easiest. Access it by going to youtube.com/editor while signed into your account. Let‘s break down the essentials.
Uploading Source Video
You‘ll need to import footage from your computer before you can edit. Click the upload icon and select your desired clips.
Wait for YouTube Studio to process then find your clips under Video Manager -> Content.
Launching the Editor
Select the video you want to edit then click Editor from the left menu. Your raw footage will load into the preview window. Familiarize yourself with the basic toolbar options.
When you‘re ready, click Trim to start optimizing!
Trimming Clips
YouTube Studio‘s trim tool lets you shorten the beginning or end of your video. Drag either edge of the blue trim bar inwards to reduce unwanted footage.
You can also split clips entirely by dragging inside the bar to isolate the middle section you want removed.
Other Edit Tools
Beyond trimming, options like face blur can censor identities. Use custom blur to creatively obscure anything. Play around with all your options!
When satisfied, export directly to YouTube at full quality for free by clicking Publish. Share your work with the world. 😎
Video Editing Minimum System Requirements
For smooth editing in free programs like Resolve, you‘ll want:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
- Memory: At least 8GB RAM (16GB+ recommended)
- Graphics: Dedicated GPU like NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon
- Storage: SSD or high speed hard drive
Prioritize maximum RAM and the best CPU you can afford. Cheap laptops struggle with video editing unless specifically designed for creative applications.
For desktops, consider an iMac or PC workstation for professional workloads.
Additional Video Editing Resources
Congrats, you now know the fundamentals of editing YouTube videos! To take your skills even further:
- Davinci Resolve 17 basic tutorial
- My top 10 video editing tips
- Best accessories for video editing
- Creating custom intros and outros
- Color grading and audio mastering
- And more!
Keep an eye out for future tutorials. In the meantime, start practicing by editing your existing YouTube clips or filming brand new footage!
Have questions? Ask in the comments below!
