Import video and audio to edit teaching videos on Mac
Direct answer: Import the existing video or audio into your Mac editing project, place it in lesson order, trim what is outdated, balance narration against other sound, add captions or explanations, then review the complete lesson before export. This is usually faster than re-recording useful material from scratch.
Teachers and course creators often have valuable material spread across old recordings, camera clips, voiceovers, slide exports, and short demonstrations. Bringing those pieces into the same project makes it possible to update one section while preserving everything that still works.
Common imported media use cases
- Old lesson refresh: import a previous recording, add new captions, update the ending, and export again.
- Voiceover workflow: record or import narration, then build the visual lesson around it.
- Creator clips: pull a product clip into a teaching video and add camera narration.
- Music and intro audio: keep volume lower than voice and export once.
- Image overlays: add diagrams, screenshots, logos, or step callouts.
A practical import-and-edit workflow
- Collect the source files: choose only the clips, audio, and images that support the lesson objective.
- Build the lesson order: arrange the explanation before polishing individual cuts.
- Trim for relevance: remove old dates, obsolete interface steps, long pauses, and repeated explanations.
- Balance the audio: keep narration clear and lower any music or imported background sound.
- Add teaching context: use captions, board moments, or text overlays for terms and steps that need emphasis.
- Review the full export: check transitions, caption timing, volume changes, and the final frame.
When importing is better than starting over
Reuse a recording when the explanation is still accurate and only the introduction, interface, captions, or ending has changed. Re-record when the lesson structure is wrong, the audio is difficult to understand throughout, or most visual steps are obsolete. A short replacement segment is often enough when only one part needs correction.
Keep source media organized
Store the project and its source files together, use descriptive filenames, and keep an untouched copy of the original media. Because a local-first workflow leaves storage and backup choices with you, include the project folder in your normal Mac backup routine.
Editing imported media in OurScreen
OurScreen is a native Mac recorder and editor that can start with a fresh recording or imported video and audio. Captions and Smart Director's suggested edits can be reviewed in the local project before you export the finished lesson.
For a complete production sequence, see the course creator workflow. For caption-specific decisions, read the Mac captions guide. The Mac app includes a 15-day trial, followed by $25/year or $59 lifetime on the pricing page.
FAQ
Is imported audio different from microphone recording?
Yes. Microphone recording captures live narration. Imported audio lets you bring in an existing voiceover, music bed, or sound from another tool.
Why not use a full video editor?
A full editor is appropriate for complex color, sound, and multi-camera work. A focused teaching-video editor is usually quicker when the job is to combine a lesson, correct a section, add captions, and export a clear result.