How To Record A Podcast Remotely

WE HAVE NO CHOICE!

Now, with the current global crisis, learning how to record a podcast remotely has become the norm. In this article, we will explore a few solutions to this problem and we hope that you will find them useful and insightful. The big problem with recording a podcast remotely is the distance. This leads to internet glitches, delays and technical difficulties; however, there are also certain advantages. The ability to record from a remote location sounds very appealing now that you can interview people on the other side of the world. This is a game-changer! In this article, we will explore two methods, one of which is better than the other, depending on the case.

METHOD 1: THE ON-SITE METHOD! (FREE)

The best method on how to record a podcast remotely is not recording via the internet in the first place. You see, only the communication needs to happen over the Internet. The recording can be done locally in your studio. After the interview, the files can be merged later in post-production. However, there is a downside to this method; it would only really work with a co-host. For regular guests, this method may seem intimidating, and in a short time, it would seem impossible to achieve. We still have a solution to this method's regular guest problem, so keep reading.

Let’s imagine you are a host and co-host of a podcast. You both have a decent podcasting setup and know your way around computers. Now, to get started, you will need the software of your choice to record on your computers. The software you may choose is Audacity, Garage Band, Adobe Audition, Cubase, ProTools etc… It doesn’t matter what software you use as long as it can record clean audio. Ensure the software is properly set up with your sound-card + microphone or USB microphone. This is usually done somewhere in the “preferences” or “settings”, and you will need to set up the input and output to correspond with the equipment used.

You will then both join a Zoom Conference so you can both communicate over the internet. Make sure that Zoom uses the same settings as your recording software. After you both join the conference, you will hit record on your local software. After you finish, you will export both audio files in WAV and place them in a shared cloud solution ready for post-production.

This method may seem a little complicated, but you know what? It is 100% Free, and it is also the best-sounding one. It is advised that you create a template and keep yourself organised with this method. Once you do this a few times, it will become a habit. I really recommend this method for a host/co-host podcast!

A FEW KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN USING METHOD 1:

1. Make sure that both Zoom and the software of choice use the same input and output!
2. You both will need to wear headphones.
3. Make sure that you monitor only the Zoom recording so you hear only the audio resulting from Zoom. You should not hear the audio TWICE, let’s say from your recording software and Zoom. Keep the recording software on mute or disable monitoring on the recording software.
4. You both will need to use the same sample rate settings.
5. Don’t stop the recording in the middle of the interview, even if the internet went down!

SOLVING THE “REGULAR GUEST” PROBLEM.

This can be tricky, but my clients have done it a few times, and it can definitely work. Before starting the interview, you will ask your guest to use a voice memo on his phone to record his part of the audio locally and then send it once the interview has finished. Ask your guest to place the phone while recording on a flat surface in close proximity, ideally right in front of him/her.

As a backup, it is a good idea to record the interview via Zoom at the same time, just in case the guest’s phone runs out of battery or there is not sufficient storage space. You really can’t control that.

METHOD 2: USE PAID ONLINE TOOLS THAT RECORD ON-SITE AND NOT USING YOUR BANDWIDTH.

Another way for achieving on how to record a podcast remotely is by using online tools such as Riverside.fm, Squadcast or Zencastr. These tools do exactly what Method 1 does but in a more elegant and streamlined way. In short, this platform can record on your local device without using your internet bandwidth. The real advantage of using this is that you can invite your guests using a link to join the recording room. This is similar to a Zoom environment. In my opinion, this system is a great solution for podcasts that are interview-based and don’t want to mess around with multiple software and settings. This service is usually paid monthly, and it can range from 6$ to 30$ a month depending on how many hours you want to record.

A FEW KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN USING METHOD 2:

1. It is important that everyone participating in the interview wears headphones.
2. Think about how many hours you will record every month and choose the appropriate plan. You don’t want to overpay!
3. Always tell your guest NOT TO LEAVE the recording room immediately after the interview is finished. They will need to wait for the recording to upload on the server!
4. You can record video recordings using this method as well.

ADDITIONAL TIPS WHEN YOUR RECORD A PODCAST REMOTELY

Here is a list of additional tips you might want to consider when recording a podcast remotely.

DO MULTIPLE RETAKES AND DEEPER EDITING

“I’ve never been on a podcast interview before,” says your guest. Don’t roll your eyes! You were once there, too. To get great conversation from an inexperienced guest, be a therapist. Reassure your guest with constant encouragement and praise. Use phrases like “That was great!”, and “you sound good when you relax”. Put the guest at ease.

Retakes are the secret when you record a podcast remotely - not even A-list actors nail all their movie lines the first time. Encouraging retakes relaxes the guest, and the second take is almost always more coherent. Use phrases like, “sorry to interrupt, can we do that part again…?” Your inexperienced guest will be relieved, will start to relax and speak with more confidence and freedom.

But there’s a catch: you then have to edit out all the first takes and bloopers. Yes, that means more work. Yes, that means you can’t make ‘the easiest podcast’. The truth is that unless you and your guests are both experienced speakers, editing your podcast to remove fluff and waffle is an essential step to being perceived as quality. 

To make editing easier, time your recording session and keep an eye on the clock during the recording. Every time a retake happens, jot down the timestamp. That way, you don’t have to re-listen to the whole episode from scratch and hunt for the unusable material later. Yes, it’s extra work. But the result? A natural conversation that is relaxed and free of nervous rambling. In other words, a great interview that makes your listener pay attention and follow your show for more riveting content.

GET BETTER GUEST AUDIO QUALITY

When you record a podcast remotely, it’s best if your guests record their interview audio separately from the call audio. The call audio (e.g., via Zoom or phone) is for communication, while the second device (Audacity, a DAW, or a handheld audio recorder) should aim for higher quality and also serve as a backup recording. Then, after the call, the guest sends you the higher-quality audio, which you synchronize to your own voice and edit.

Before recording, give your guest a checklist to complete:

1. The room your guest is in while recording is quite important. A broom closet lined with curtains is the best. A large room with lots of furniture is OK. A small room with tiles and bare walls is the worst.
2. If the guest is just using a phone, they’ll need to speak more carefully (no hard ‘p’, ‘b’, or ‘t’ sounds) and place the phone on a table rather than in their hand. 
3. The guest should wear headphones to prevent the sound of your voice from bleeding into their recording.
4. The guest should record 15 seconds of test audio and send it to you before the recording begins. This often allows you to pre-identify background noises, room noise and other problems so that you don’t have to spend time and money fixing them while editing. 

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE POWERPOINT/PDF FREE GUEST CHECKLIST

Good audio quality is an obvious signal that you and your podcast mean business. Trying to hook repeat listeners by publishing phone recordings signals that your show is a hobby or test project (or that you just don’t care about your listeners). To make a podcast worth sharing, you have to get better audio. Interview guests seldom know what ‘good audio’ means. They’re probably new to recording and haven’t got the time to learn. As a podcaster, a lot of your job is coaching interview subjects into how to get the best audio possible. At the very least, your recording setup should continually be improving.

GET MORE ORGANIZED

Despite the ease with which free scheduling solutions can be found, it can still be challenging to schedule interview guests. 

• Time zones are often not clear and can shift with regional Daylight Savings Time adjustments. 
• Guests might not show up to your appointment due to an emergency (often ‘medical’ in nature, a conveniently difficult excuse to challenge.)
• Technical troubles on the day can force a postponement. Recording software like Anchor, Zoom and Microsoft Teams can be unfamiliar to guests.
• Manual email scheduling threads can cause confusion.
• Your guest might decide that when it’s time to get a recording, they have something better to do or get cold feet.

WHEW! SO, HOW DO WE GET AROUND THESE CHALLENGES WHEN INTERVIEWING A REMOTE GUEST?

• When you record a podcast remotely using services like Calendly, you can set multiple appointment time options and send your guests a list of available time slots for their podcast interview. Calendly will also factor in regional time differences, Daylight Savings Time, and more.
• Having multiple guests in the pipeline is a great idea. If a guest cancels, you can give them one chance to reschedule before moving on to the next guest. Don’t be afraid to write off a guest as unwilling to participate—it's better for your show if you do. Besides, guests who blow their chance usually come back to you on your terms.
• Technical troubles can mostly be avoided with a subscription to user-friendly, browser-based podcast recording services like Zencastr. The audio quality is good, and their free tier allows up to 8 hours of recording per month.

Automating the process in this way gives you more control over your schedule and also helps you appear professional. Most guests want to feel that being on your show is more than just a friendly chat. Having a professional, clear process in place will persuade them to take you and your time more seriously. When trying to lock down guests for a podcast interview recording, it’s super important to appear professional. 

CONCLUSION:

So there you have it; these are the best methods on how to record a podcast remotely. There is always the option of recording with Zoom only, but this will reduce the quality of your recordings quite significantly! If you are serious about podcasting, one of these methods, plus our additional tips, will guarantee you a great sound. We are always ready to help you if you experience any problems with this method, so please drop us a line!