It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the workforce as we know it. It ushered in a new era of virtual and remote working solutions for organizations nationwide. And just as these organizations adapted to the new environment, podcasters also needed to figure out how to produce their content remotely. But just because we need to change the way we do things doesn’t mean the quality of our podcast productions needs to suffer.
As they say…
When it comes to remote recording, there are two keys to ensuring a great sounding recording:
- Each speaker is being recorded independently on separate audio tracks.
- Each audio file is recorded on each speaker’s device locally.
Luckily, many software platforms on the market (many of which you can use for free) enable podcasters to achieve both of these goals. Here are just a few platforms that check all the boxes to provide remote podcasters flexibility without compromising their audio quality.
Zoom
If you have been working remotely over the past year, you’ve probably already heard about Zoom, and there is a good chance you’re one of its reported 300 million daily meeting participants. Thankfully, you can easily configure Zoom to record your podcasts as well!
If you’re already using Zoom, it’s accessibility makes it a great choice for remote podcasting as it’s already a streamlined communication suite with various features to have it stand as both a call hub and audio recorder. It also offers free accounts for up to 40 minutes of call time, making it great for new podcasters working remotely.
Other key features include:
- Integrate calendars for easy episode scheduling and guest access.
- Allows for audio and video recording.
- Recordings save/stored locally or in the cloud.
Zencastr
Zencastr prides itself on being a platform that can “record remote interviews in studio quality.” The platform is optimized for podcast recording out of the box but can be further customized to fit your specific needs.
Here are a few other notable features:
- Creates a call room link for easy guest access.
- Provides real-time status/health checks for each speaker, allowing for easy troubleshooting.
- Built-in Dropbox integration.
- Video recording is currently in beta.
The Zencastr platform was built with the remote podcast recorder in mind. They also offer a free account version with up to eight hours of recording time per month!
Riverside.fm
Riverside.fm is the new kid on the block, but it comes out of the gate with a fantastic platform that even has companies like Microsoft, Disney, and Verizon finding faith in its capabilities.
Much like the prior platforms, Riverside saves recordings locally and then offers cloud options, ensuring that audio quality is at its best. And if livestreaming is your thing, it even provides integrations for your social accounts so you can broadcast your episodes live!
Other cool features include:
- Video recording options with up to 4K video quality.
- A call-in function for taking live callers.
- Schedule and add-to-calendar make it easy for guests to join.
- You can use it with up to 8 speakers.
While Riverside doesn’t have free account offerings, it does offer a free trial with full features for a 60-minute session so you can take it for a spin.
Final Thoughts
Yes, there are a ton more platforms on the market that can be a great fit for remote podcasters. And while we’ve highlighted a few of our favorites, you can view a larger list here!
As long as you and your guests have the podcasting essentials down and you’re using one of these remote recording tools, you are all set to produce high-quality content even in these—yes, I’ll say it—uncertain times.
