Prior to editing a master recording or motion picture, the various takes are auditioned and a list of the desired ones is created, along with notes telling exactly where the cuts are to be made. The resulting document is the EDL. This consists of the list of SMPTE time code in feet/frames, including instructions for fades, dissolves, and other special effects–corresponding to all the segments that the editor of a videotape production has decided to use in the final cut. The EDL is usually computer-generated.
See also playlist.