If you haven’t recorded a remote interview before then the first time might be challenging. But no matter the challenges it shouldn’t stop you from recording high-quality content! Of course, the best types of audio quality can be achieved by recording together with your guest. However, we know that’s not always possible!
The best way to record great quality remotely is by using interview software that’s up to the task and has all the features you’ll need. Just keep in mind that having the best remote recording software can only go so far. If your guest doesn’t have a sufficient Internet connection or their equipment is not that great, then there may still be a few bumps in the audio road.
The best way to ensure a great audio recording is to be diligent in your planning process. Firstly, ensure that your guest has a sufficient Internet connection, then get the right software for your podcast. Now the biggest question you’ll have is what are the top recording software and what makes them unique to suit your podcasting needs?
To help answer this question, we’ve put together a list of the top 8 software for recording your podcast remotely. Remember that there’s no such thing as a perfect remote recording solution, only the perfect fit for you.
Ringr
Ringr app is available for both iOS and Android users in addition to their web app, which makes it a lot easier for your guests to connect to a quick interview using their phone or logging on to their browser. Ringr gives users the option between two different plans to suit their needs. The Basic Plan gets you started at $7.99/month for unlimited calls and storage and high-quality mono MP3 recordings.
The Premium plan gives you everything you want for $18.99/month including studio-quality split-track downloads as well as their new conference calling feature, which allows for more than two callers. You can try out the Premium plan for free with their 30-day trial. With each plan, you also get that extra buffer time where you are able to have a quick introductory call with your guest before the interview recording gets started. Their invite system is easy to use and simply sends your guest an email and all they have to do is follow the instructions from there.
SquadCast
SquadCast is one of the newest interview recording softwares on the market, but also one of the fastest-growing platforms. The SquadCast Platform connects podcast hosts, co-hosts, and guests to record studio-quality audio from everywhere. It allows you to do a video interview without actually recording the video, just recording the audio. So you can build that face-to-face connection with your guest without having unnecessary video content you might not use.
You can easily schedule sessions for a future date or simply jump on a call with up to three guests joining you. The recording splits everyone’s audio into separate WAV files without the drift. Plus, with their green room feature, you can check your equipment setup and your hair before joining a session. You can even chat with guests to welcome them to the interview before getting started. Get started for $5/hour with their Dabbler package, ideal for an hour here or there. Or sign up for the Unlimited package for $20/month, perfect for a single podcast.
Zencastr
Zencastr records each voice locally in pristine quality. No more dropouts due to a bad connection or changes in quality during the interview. If you’re just starting out then trying out then the free plan with Zencastr is a great place to start. This gives you the opportunity to test it out and see if it’s the right fit for you. You’ll be able to record up to 8 hours every month with as many as two guests at the same time recording in high-quality MP3 format.
They also offer other plans with higher quality lossless 16-bit 44.1k WAV with an unlimited amount of guests at the same time for $20/month. It’s so easy to use, all you do is send an invite link to your guest and everything else gets configured through the browser. Zencastr is cloud-integrated, so all of your recordings will be automatically delivered to your Dropbox or Google Drive account for easy editing and sharing.
Cast
Cast does it all! You can record, edit and publish, all on one platform! They will help you record high-quality audio of yourself and any guests from anywhere in the world with no extra software. Once you’ve recorded you’ll be able to use their editing software and then all that’s left is publishing, which you can also do using their platform. All Cast plans include hosting, RSS feeds, and analytics at no extra charge.
To get started, sign up for their Hobby package at $10/month and receive a one-month free trial to try it out. If you’re looking for more recording time, upgrade to the Pro plan for $30/month and receive 100 hours of recording time and access to their new Dropbox sync feature and advanced analytics stats.
Cleanfeed
Cleanfeed is a multitrack, multi-party live audio and recording using only a browser. It is easy to use and has clear audio that sounds professional. Cleanfeed is the most technically advanced system of its type. There’s no need for any external mixers, all you need is a browser and a microphone, they handle everything else. There are no complicated invitations, just share the URL and they’ll be able to connect. Anyone can connect from either Mac, Windows, Linus, or Android; all they need is the link!
On Cleanfeed’s platform, they offer different plans for you to choose from but their free plan still has no limit on time or the number of connections you make, so it’s the perfect place to start. From there, you can upgrade to the Cleanfeed Pro plan for $34/month to get access to advanced invitations, audio repair, volume control, and more!
Clearcast.io
Clearcast allows you to record in perfect quality, regardless of connection quality. They have three different plans for you to choose from, with high-quality 320kbps, 44.1kHz MP3s offered at every level. Their free option is called “Evaluation”, which says it all since you receive 20 minutes of recording time to try it out to see if it has what you need.
Their second package is called “Lite” and is available for $25/month, which will upgrade you to 10 hours of recording time per month. If you need more than 10 hours a month, their third option is “Standard”, which gives you 40 hours recording time for $40/month.
Soundtrap for Storytellers
Soundtrap for Storytellers is Spotify’s new one-stop-shop for high-quality podcast creation. They even added a few special, amazing features specially designed to make the experience more memorable for podcasters. This includes their interactive transcript feature that allows you to record and automatically transcribe your voice making it easy to edit on the go.
When inviting on interview guests, there is no need to ask your guests to download the app. All you need to do is to use your desktop app and share the link with them. You can also invite multiple people to collaborate on your podcast and record each participant’s audio on separate tracks in the studio. You can access your studio wherever you are as everything is stored in the cloud. When your episode is ready, you can easily publish your podcast and transcript directly to Spotify and increase your discoverability. Get started on Soundtrap for Storytellers for $14.99/month.
Zoom
Zoom is a very popular interview platform that has become one of the go-to’s for hosting conference calls and virtual meetings. It might be because of how easy it is to get a guest on the line or the number of different interview options you have for example; online video, using a phone app or even just calling in.
They also offer the option to record each person’s audio track separately. Your online video recording can then also be used to promote your podcast on most social media platforms. Although their platform is not necessarily built for podcasters first, if you already have a Zoom account it can be a great tool to get started. Their basic plan is a free option if you just want to try it to see if it’ll work for you, or sign up for the Pro plan for $20/month.
