What Software Do Video Editors Use?

Those new to the video editing field may find the tools of the trade somewhat abstract. Perhaps you’ve seen behind-the-scenes footage of your favorite show or film as people use particular software to clip videos and edit sounds. But it’s unlikely that anyone not in the field regularly uses this software. Learning new technical skills and languages can be challenging initially, but multiple options are available for learning to use these programs. Keep reading to learn more about the popular editing software video editors use today.

What is a Video Editor?

If you’re looking for a career that combines your artistic and organizational skills into a cohesive, creative experience, consider pursuing training as a Video Editor. Video Editors are responsible for compiling, editing, and producing different types of audio and visual content into a coherent and unique form of media. They frequently work with advertisers, filmmakers, directors, social media companies, and other visual media fields to create seamless and compelling narratives. 

Video Editors use professional-grade applications such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to transform raw footage shot onsite or at a soundstage into the modern movie masterpieces we see on our screens today. Editing includes smoothing the transitions between camera angles, removing background noises, and adding sound and visual effects. Video Editors also transform ordinary greenscreens and tennis balls into fantastical landscapes and mythical figures. 

Read more about the responsibilities of a Video Editor.

What Software Do Video Editors Use?

The first step to launching a successful career in Video Editing is to identify and learn the software program most relevant to your career aspirations. Most editors begin their search on job sites such as Indeed or LinkedIn, where they can explore job opportunities and education and training trajectories of Video Editors they would like to emulate. Choosing a software program may seem like a huge commitment. Nevertheless, comparing the benefits, limitations, and training opportunities associated with these programs can help you be confident in your final decision. Use the following list as your initial introduction to some of the most popular software programs preferred by most professional Video Editors today. 

Premiere Pro 

Professional Video Editors, YouTubers, and home movie enthusiasts may produce video content that differs significantly in content and style. Nevertheless, these visual artists frequently share a standard tool: Premiere Pro. Part of the larger Adobe Creative Cloud, Premiere Pro is a video editing software program that allows users to transform raw footage into a singular narrative with soundtracks and sound and visual effects. Compatible with hundreds of other video editing programs, Adobe Premiere Pro is the go-to fundamental tool for most Video Editors and other visual artists. 

If you're anxious about investing in a complex program like Premiere Pro, don’t worry; Noble Desktop is here to help! Start your training journey by exploring the functionality, prerequisites, and cost of learning Premiere Pro. After purchasing your subscription, you will be ready to explore Premiere Pro training opportunities online or search for Premiere Pro classes in your area. You can even explore the benefits and limitations of the different Premiere Pro learning formats and how each may contribute to your goals. 

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro may be your ideal program if you are a MAC user looking for nonlinear video editing software. Final Cut Pro uses a Magnetic Timeline and Clip Connections to easily build a cohesive narrative with seamless transitions and multiple angles. Video Editors can modify the color, focal point, and depth of footage captured using an iPhone 13. Unlike Premiere Pro, which requires Adobe Illustrator and After Effects to create and integrate graphics into a video, Final Cut Pro allows users to build dynamic 2D and 3D titles and other graphics through a single program. Users can expand their toolkits by integrating third-party extensions into their Final Cut Pro workflow.

Are you curious about using Final Cut Pro but not ready to commit fully? Consider learning more about the benefits, limitations, and costs of learning Final Cut Pro through Noble Desktop’s Learn Hub series. Noble Desktop lists the best Final Cut Pro Classes available live online and in person. 

After Effects

From the groovy, jazzy arrangements of the James Bond movies to the backstory told through the comic book-like sequences of Watchmen, the opening credits draw in audiences while introducing both the characters and the creative talent of a feature. As opening and closing credits serve an essential purpose, it is no surprise that many video editors and motion graphics artists turn to Academy Award Winning software like After Effects. Part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, After Effects is a motion graphic and visual effects application that eases the stress of post-production processing of films, television shows, and video games. Video Editors use After Effects to add dynamic motion to text and images created in Illustrator or Photoshop, bringing feature films to life for eager audiences. 

Many novice video editors may feel intimidated by the multifunctionality of After Effects. Luckily, Noble Desktop is here to help! Are you looking for a quick crash course on the functionality and tools of After Effects? Go from beginner to proficient quickly by learning After Effects in a Day or enrolling in an After Effects Bootcamp. If you are already familiar with After Effects and would like to refine and further develop your skills, check out After Effects Advanced to help speed up your animating process. You can even learn how to use your free 3D modeling software Cinema 4D Lite in After Effects to help make your projects POP! 

Audition

There’s nothing that ruins a video more than poor sound quality. So, if you’re looking for crisp, clear audio on your films and video games, Adobe Audition is the answer! Audition is a sound effects generator and mixer that uses multitrack, spectrum display, and waveform to create and finish different sounds. You can rearrange music and sound effects for a specific clip or frame. As one of the top sound editing programs professionals use today, Audition is a great way to ensure your audience can make the most of their viewing experience.

Whether you are a trained musician or struggle to keep a rhythmic beat, you can learn how to use Adobe Audition. Noble Desktop offers an efficient yet comprehensive overview of Adobe Audition that can help create, fix, and refine your audio quality. Students looking for a complete overview of the Video Editing workflow can enroll in Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Certificate program to learn how Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition interact. 

How to Learn Video Editing Software

If you’re an aspiring Video Editor, you must consider the best options for learning the workflow of popular video editing software programs based on learning style, financial means, and schedule. Consider your previous educational experiences. Did you thrive in a traditional classroom, or was it difficult to concentrate in that setting? Do you have strong organizational skills? Are you self-motivated and able to complete tasks alone, or do you need external guidance? Consider your answers when exploring these different training opportunities. 

Some Video Editors are fully self-trained. These individuals frequently use YouTube and other free tutorials to learn the various software fundamentals and terminologies. While this option may be the most cost-effective and flexible for video editing beginners, self-instruction carries several limitations. Learners must be highly motivated and organized to ensure they learn all the necessary skills to be successful Video Editors. These courses are pre-recorded, so learners cannot access further explanation or clarification and may develop incorrect methods for using specific tools. When entering the job market, these students lack the community and credentials to compete with those with official degrees and certifications. 

Students looking for a comprehensive curriculum rather than a hodge-podge of tutorials frequently pursue on-demand courses. Like regular classes, these courses are organized and taught by trained instructors who guide students through different ideas and concepts. Like self-training, classes are pre-recorded and allow students the flexibility to adjust their study and practice to their schedule. This type of class organization may be ideal for students with busy schedules or those looking for a less expensive alternative to in-person or live online classes. However, students learn independently for most of their learning experience and cannot ask follow-up questions on lessons. 

Video editing students who thrived in the order and structure of primary or secondary schooling may gravitate toward in-person training opportunities at a local technical school or training center. Trained instructors teach these classes in computer labs on fixed schedules, allowing students to explore the relevant software programs on a specific timeline before purchasing subscriptions for their work or home computers. Conversely, these classroom spaces may be challenging for students who struggle to work amid distractions like side conversations or prefer to learn in their own space. In-person classes are usually the most expensive learning format and may be financially inaccessible to many aspiring students and difficult for those who must commute.

If you’re looking for a learning opportunity with the structure and guidance of in-person learning and the location flexibility of self-training or on-demand learning, live online classes may be the perfect learning format. Live online classes allow students to choose their ideal learning environment while receiving a world-class education and real-time interaction with an expert instructor. With the student’s permission, instructors can even take control of the student’s screen to explain more complex topics. While the cost of live online courses is comparable to in-person classes, these classes do not require a commute and frequently include additional benefits, such as one-on-one mentorship and a free retake option. 

If you’re still trying to decide which class format is right for your budget and schedule, Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive comparison of available online courses. Check out Noble’s list of the Best Video Editing Classes Online. And if you’re curious about in-person training opportunities in your area, Noble Desktop also offers a helpful tool to find local video editing classes. Students interested in taking a class with Noble Desktop can also research video editing classes offered directly by the company.

Other Skills Needed to Become a Video Editor

Video Editors hoping to succeed in today’s competitive market must learn essential programs like Adobe After Effects, Audition, and Premiere Pro. However, success in the video editing field requires additional skills. Many Video Editors work on or oversee teams of creatives, requiring strong communication, delegating, and interpersonal skills. If you are new to the video editing field, or your experience is mainly as a freelancer, these soft skills may seem challenging. But there are many ways to build them. 

Many Video Editors launch their careers through degree and certificate programs. But professional experience is equally vital to their ultimate career success. While lacking in high wages or prestige, internships, and entry-level positions are valuable ways to develop soft skills in management and team building. They also provide excellent opportunities to build your professional network and expand your portfolio. Keep exploring the pathway to becoming a professional Video Editor, and start preparing for your dream career today!

Learn the Skills to Become a Video Editor at Noble Desktop

Are you excited to begin your video editor career but unsure where to start? Don’t stress! Noble Desktop is here to help! Noble Desktop offers many resources relevant to video editors at each leg of their professional journey. Professionals looking for a road map to entering or building their careers can explore training opportunities and career paths through Noble Desktop’s Learn Video Editing page. Editors looking for a comprehensive overview of educational and practical training opportunities offered live online and in-person should check out Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Topic page. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the video editing profession and relevant editing applications that professionals regularly use. 

Video Editors use various professional-grade applications to design and create their projects. But how do you determine which programs to add to your tool kit? Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive archive of learning resources that detail the functionality, level of learning difficulty, and cost of learning different applications. Foundationally, most professionals are well-versed in video editing software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. If you are already established in the field and looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, consider learning more about motion graphics software like After Effects or 3D animation and modeling through Cinema 4D.

As you explore these sophisticated visual graphics programs, you will likely recognize that learning these intricate programs on your own can be a lonely and complicated process. Luckily, Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person courses for Video Editors at all stages of their careers. For example, professionals ready to dive into the video editing field may want to enroll in a Premiere Pro Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These fast-paced classes are an excellent way to rapidly build your video editing skills with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Video Editors looking to diversify their portfolios and demonstrate their skills to potential employers can pursue a Video Editing Certificate or a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate. Students gain robust hands-on experience through small class sizes and project-based learning opportunities. Noble Desktop even offers a free retake option so students can refresh their skills and maximize their retention within a year of their class.