I recently started a new podcast. I knew the audio would be published across multiple services, but also wanted a video version for youtube. With a background in programming, this left my trying to figure out how to accomplish this task.
There are many video editing software options available, which was extremely overwhelming, each had different requirements and prices attached. Instead I went to my roots and looked at the open-source offerings. This is what brought me to kdenlive, software that can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Kdenlive, stands for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor. As you would expect the software lives under the KDE umbrella of applications. I used the software with both windows and PopOS!, while the linux version felt more stable, both worked well.
Multiple Video and Audio Streams
The recordings made for this podcast involved three mic inputs and two camera inputs (with audio). All of these tracks needed to be managed separately, which Kdenlive is able to do. The video sources were linked with their audio track, but could be separated where necessary. All tracks could be synced automatically by their audio ensuring the different sources lined up properly.
The multiple video sources were great for making a more engaging video, but also allowing for easier cuts. Content could be edited without making a jarring video cut by switching between the different camera sources.
To manage multiple streams, Kdenlive uses a timeline-based interface. Each video or audio stream is placed on a different track, which can be independently edited, enabling you to fine-tune every aspect of your project. It's as simple as importing your media files and dragging them onto the timeline.
A Robust Ecosystem
The leading commercial options have massive ecosystems with templates and guides for sale everywhere. This was a concern going open-source and with a less popular software option. I was pleasantly surprised by the vibrant ecosystem that includes plenty of help content, tutorial videos, user forums, and more. The official Kdenlive website has a comprehensive manual covering all aspects of the software, including beginner-friendly tutorials and more advanced topics.
There is also an active community of Kdenlive users who regularly create and share tutorial videos on various aspects of the software. From basic editing techniques to more advanced effects and transitions, these tutorials provide a wealth of knowledge for any level of user.
Any time I needed to do something new, there was a video tutorial or guide ready to help guide me through the process. This ecosystem and community made the software accessible for a complete video editing beginner.
Free and Open-Source
Kdenlive is a free and open-source project. I’m sure this community understands the massive value of open-source and the benefits it brings.
Beginner Friendly
Despite its powerful capabilities, Kdenlive felt very accessible to beginners. Its interface felt very intuitive and any difficult functionality had a wealth of tutorial videos available. Its design allows users to grow with the software. As you become more comfortable with its basic features, you can gradually start exploring its more advanced capabilities, changing the interface layout, and leveraging more keyboard shortcuts, making Kdenlive a great choice.
Final Thoughts
I will continue to leverage Kdenlive for my future video editing requirements. If you want to see the final outcome the video can be found here.
If you want to get started with kdenlive, checkout their website or github.
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