[GoLUG] Tools for a Youtube video

[Sy]

On 2026-02-06 23:15, Steve Litt wrote:

> I have no idea what tools I'll need. I do know that I make a lot of
> mistakes, so I'll need some sort of video editor to cut out mistakes
> and splice other stuff together, as well as a way to write text on top
> of already recorded stuff. I'm not going to spend a lot of money on
> equipment or fixing up my environment. Maybe I'll buy some cheap fabric
> and hang it from a taut rope so the mess isn't visible. Could you 
> please
> give me any recommendations on Free Software tools I should use to
> create this on Linux?

I think you'd need:

1. Screen recording.
2. Webcam recording.
3. Audio recording.
4. A nonlinear video editing suite.

1, 2 and even 3 could be OBS Studio:  https://obsproject.com/

3. should be Audacity:  https://www.audacityteam.org/

4. A nonlinear video editor will be your go-to tool for editing, mixing 
media, and overlaying text (or syncing subtitles).  A good one will 
export the result into the particular format/settings expected for the 
platforms you'll be uploading to.

There are a number of fair tools for Linux, but I ended up going with 
DaVinci Resolve for professional backing.  It's Gratis but not Libre:

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

If you want to make this a new hobby, then there are many great YouTube 
tutorials out there for that program specifically.  I recommend Daniel's 
videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@Daniel_Batal

Here is his noobs playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsVDy3wGxbDA-pvAT1eH2_khEe0lDe90e

If you want your hand held until you get the basics down, I'm happy to 
set aside some time.

My advice is to never leave the "edit" view.

-

Subtitles are auto-generated by YouTube, but some people either want to 
craft them special or want to create them then "burn" them into the 
video itself (so-called "hard subs").  Don't concern yourself with this 
just yet, but bookmark Subtitle Edit for later:
https://github.com/SubtitleEdit/subtitleedit

Subtitle functionality does exist in DaVinci Resolve, but Subtitle Edit 
is far more capable.

-

As for making the video itself, I highly recommend you "pre bake" as 
much as possible so you can just swap over to completed segments as you 
go, or be vigilant about cutting things down in editing.

You could also do just fine having a little icon of yourself and not 
your webcam.

This will be a lot of effort, just remember the mantra "perfect is the 
enemy of good".