Holding Bin vs Workbench: The Two Ways I Edit Video in Ray’s FFmpeg Commander Toolbox
A lot of people ask which workflow they should use first. Short answer: both are useful, but for different jobs.
Here’s the practical breakdown I use in real projects.
It also supports clip effects and text overlays right in the timeline. If you’re processing existing files fast, use Workbench.
1) Holding Bin + Timeline Workflow (non-destructive, edit-first)
This is the workflow I use when I want to assemble a full edit: add clips, trim, reorder, apply transitions,
add effects, add text overlays, and export final deliverables. The source files stay untouched until render time.
Best for:
Highlight reels, story edits, multi-clip projects, and any job where you want clean non-destructive control.
2) Workbench Workflow (direct processing, speed-first)
Workbench is what I use when I already have files and want to apply effects/transcodes directly.
It’s simpler, faster to run, and great for quick deliverables or batch-style operations.
Side-by-side comparison
| Category | Holding Bin + Timeline | Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Build a complete edit from multiple clips | Process existing clips quickly |
| Editing style | Sequencing, trimming, transitions, effects, text overlays, timeline composition | Direct effect/convert workflow on source files |
| Speed to first output | Medium (more setup, more flexibility) | Fast (less setup, direct output) |
| Best use case | Narrative edits, reels, assembled projects | Batch cleanup, quick versions, direct conversions |
My recommendation
Start with the workflow that matches the job. If you’re still deciding, begin in Workbench for speed,
then switch to Holding Bin when you need full timeline control.
If you want to try both workflows in one app, visit Ray’s FFmpeg Commander Toolbox:
Ray’s FFmpeg Commander Toolbox