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Remote podcast recording has changed the face of podcasting.
Tools like Riverside have also redefined the standard for remote recording quality.
Remote podcasts are not synonymous with patchy, blurry, or stuttery audio and/or video - they’re slick, professional, and studio-quality. The key to recording a quality show remotely is using the right tool.
In this guide, we’ve put together a guide to the 10 best remote podcast recording software available. We’ll walk you through their main features, how they work, and what kind of podcasters they’re for, so you can rest assured you’re making the right choice for your setup. Let’s dive straight in.
What is remote podcast recording?
Remote podcast recording, as the name suggests, is where you record a podcast with guests who are in a different location than you. So rather than recording in a physical studio, everyone joins from wherever they are via a recording platform like Riverside.
Benefits of remote podcast recording
Easy and convenient
Remote podcasting is undeniably convenient. Nobody has to travel, schedules are more flexible, and there are fewer costs to consider. Even as the world moves beyond full home-working models, remote podcasting is here to stay.
Inclusive
When you podcast remotely, you get to expand your guest list. People who you would never even have considered because of their geographic location are now within reach. It’s also far easier to accommodate everyone’s schedules when recording online.
Same quality
And finally, as we mentioned, remote recording no longer equals low quality. You can still achieve studio-quality podcasts using tools like Riverside.
What to consider when choosing remote podcast recording software
Choosing the right remote recording software is a make-or-break decision. Your recording platform affects your overall workflow, guest experience, the quality of your recording, and how much you need to budget. Here a few pointers to help you choose correctly:
Price
The first thing to consider is how much a platform charges for using its features. This isn’t always just about the objective subscription fee, but also about how much value for money they offer. You should also keep an eye out for any strings they attach, such as monthly recording limits.
Local recording
Local recording is an absolute non-negotiable when it comes to remote podcasting. Local recording means that instead of recording everyone over the internet, each participant’s audio and video records directly on their device. So instead of a bad-quality internet-dependent recording, you’ll see each of your remote guests in the crystal-clear quality you deserve.
Multitrack recording
Ideally, you’re looking for a platform that offers multitrack recording. This means that each participant’s audio (and video) records onto an individual track. This is important because it gives you way more control during post-production. Like this, you can edit a single track or speaker without affecting anything else in the recording.
File formats
You should also pay close attention to a platform's file formats. Ideally, you’re looking for software that records to lossless and uncompressed file formats rather than lossy ones. Essentially, this means a file format that doesn’t sacrifice recording quality for file size.
Resolution
Another consideration is audio (and video) resolution. Put simply, resolution relates to higher-quality audio. High resolution audio has a sampling frequency of 44.1kHz or above, which is what the audio from a CD has. You should look for a platform that offers you 44.1kHz at the very minimum.
Number of remote guests
For maximum flexibility, ensure your chosen platform lets you record with a good number of remote guests.
Ability to record video
Even if you’re focussed on audio-based podcasts now, you may want to branch out into video later down the line. Not all platforms can record remote video (let alone high-quality), so keep this in mind. Video podcasts are increasing in popularity, so we highly recommend you consider this.
Easy to use
Your recording software should be easy to use. Pay attention to how the host and guest workflows look and avoid platforms with a steep learning curve.
Mobile app
Remote recording is all about efficiency and convenience. Choosing a platform that offers a mobile app means you (or your guests) can record on the go.
Additional features
Finally, make sure to browse the additional features and tools that your potential platform offers. These are where you often get the most value for money. Look for features like transcription, live streaming, and tools to make social media content.
10 Best Remote Podcast Recording Software
Whatever you’re looking for in your remote podcast recording software, we’ve got you covered here:
Riverside
Pricing:
Free. If you upgrade to a paid plan, a subscription starts at $15/month
Riverside is the go-to platform for remote podcasting. The platform offers a robust suite of recording features that capture studio-quality audio and video. The platform is easy to use, totally browser-based and offers a mobile app for recording on the go.
Key Features
- Local recording. Riverside automatically records locally, so you don’t need to worry about bad internet affecting your recording.
- High-quality WAV audio and 4K video. Don’t compromise on quality. Riverside promises lossless and uncompressed audio (and video).
- Multitrack recording. Riverside records each participant’s audio, video and screen captures on a separate track.
- Ability to record video. You can record high-quality remote video podcasts using Riverside too.
- Record with up to 9 guests. Do a one-to-one remote interview podcast or a whole panel discussion.
- Browser-based. No need to download an app to your computer. Simply open your browser, head to Riverside.fm and start recording.
- Mobile app. If you’re away from your laptop, download the free Riverside app to record on the fly.
- Text-based video and audio editor. With Riverside editing your podcast is as easy as editing a transcript. Any changes you make to your transcript, automatically reflect in the matching audio and video in your recordings.
- Transcription. Riverside automatically transcribes your podcast for quick captions and easy podcast transcripts.
- Live streaming. You can livestream your recording sessions to major platforms like Twitch to include your audience in your podcast.
- Social Media Clips. Produce promotional snippets and clips of your podcast for social media as part of your recording workflow.
- Anchor integration. Riverside’s partnership with Anchor means a seamless process from creation all the way to distribution. Record high-quality video on Riverside and then publish seamlessly to Spotify through Anchor.
Best for creators who don’t want to compromise on quality
Riverside offers everything you need to produce a professional, high-quality remote podcast show - with no compromises. Local recording with high-quality and lossless audio is a given. Plus, you get access to a whole load of additional features with one of the subscription plans. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, Riverside will exceed your expectations. See for yourself, and start recording podcasts seamlessly!
Soundtrap
Pricing:
You can use Soundtrap for free, or upgrade to a paid plan starting from $9.99 per month.
Soundtrap is Spotify’s answer to an online podcast recording tool, or what they call an ‘everywhere studio’.
Key Features
- Transcription. Soundtrap will automatically transcribe your audio into text.
- Upload directly to Spotify for quick and easy publication.
- Interactive transcript tool that lets you edit your recording in the format of a written document.
- Remote recordings with co-hosts and guests.
- High-quality audio on separate tracks. Each guest will be recorded onto a separate track.
- Cloud-based so that you can record and edit everywhere and anywhere.
Best for Spotify-lovers
Soundtrap is ideal for podcasters who swear by Spotify. Its modern and intuitive interface is definitely a plus, but it’s unclear whether the platform offers local recording. Additionally, though you can video call a remote guest, you can only currently record the audio from your call. This might be frustrating in the long run.
PodBean
Pricing:
Podbean offers a free Basic plan. You can upgrade to a paid subscription starting from $9 per month.
PodBean covers you for every step of the podcasting process, from creation all the way through to hosting, distribution, and monetization. It’s important to realize that you can only record audio with PodBean, though. So podcasters looking to branch out into video might want to look elsewhere.
In terms of remote recording, you’ll be using the podcast audio recording app which is free to download.
Key Features
- Mobile app for recording on the go.
- Record with up to 10 guests.
- Local recordings. You can also choose a a consolidated mp3 cloud recording.
- Multitrack recording.
- Live streaming to major platforms.
- Simple editing tool. The Podbean app offers a very pared-back editing tool to clean up your recording before you publish.
- Mobile publishing. You can distribute directly to major listening platforms.
- Music library. Use PodBean’s library of music to add to your podcast.
Best for podcasters looking for an ‘all-in-one’ solution
PodBean offers a very neat remote recording solution that sits within an all-in-one subscription for recording, hosting, distributing, monitoring and monetizing. This could be a great option for creators who prefer to keep the number of tools and platforms they use to a minimum. That being said, it’s also a fairly limited platform without the ability to record video. Even if you’re not a video podcaster, you might want to be one day. Having the option to record video is always good.
Spreaker
Pricing:
The Spreaker Podcast Studio app is free to download and you can start using Spreaker for free on their ‘Free Speech’ plan. If you want to upgrade to the ‘On-Air Talent’ plan, you’ll need to pay $6 per month.
The Spreaker Podcast Studio app helps you record a ‘one-man’ podcast. The Spreaker app turns your phone into a podcast recorder and even lets you go live. To record remotely you need to use the Spreaker app’s Skype integration. Though this means you can include remote guests, Skype doesn’t record locally, so you’re not necessarily guaranteed the best quality recording.
Key Features
- Free to download app. The ability to use your phone means you can record on the fly whenever and wherever you need.
- Skype integration for remote recording.
- Podcast editor. You can edit, cut and adjust your recording before you publish your podcast.
- Live stream. Spreaker offers a ‘Live Podcast’ feature that lets you livestream.
Best for creators who already use Spreaker
Since you can only record remotely using a Skype integration rather than a native Spreaker feature, you’re not guaranteed studio-quality results. That being said, from a budget and convenience perspective, it might make sense for podcasters that already use Spreaker to stick with what they know.
Anchor
Pricing:
Free
Anchor is Spotify’s free podcast hosting service that also has a ‘Record with Friends’ feature that lets you record with remote guests. The host has to start the call from the Anchor mobile app, but your guests can join from the app or on the web.
Key Features
- Record with up to 5 people
- Mobile or web-based app
- Linked directly to a podcast host & Spotify
Best for podcasters who are on a budget
Anchor is a great solution for creators on a budget. You get access to a whole range of features (beyond recording) for free. However, it’s important to note that you can’t record video with Record with Friends.
Anchor has a Riverside integration. You can record in high-quality on Riverside and effortlessly distribute your podcast through Anchor.
Cleanfeed
Pricing:
Starts for free. If you upgrade to the pro plan you’ll be paying $34 per month.
Cleanfeed is an online studio for recording remote audio. It calls itself ‘the most technically advanced system of its type.’
Key Features
- High-quality audio. No unwanted processing. Cleanfeed offers ‘full duplex audio with the best codecs, high bitrates and stereo audio.’
- Unlimited guests. Cleanfeed technically doesn’t put a limit on the number of remote guests that you can record with.
- Multitrack recording. Each participant is recorded on a separate track to give you more flexibility and control during post-production.
- Studio & live-mixing tools. Add jingles, media and music as you record.
- Use up to 4 local audio sources as well as your remote guests. Connect up four local devices and record them each to a separate track for maximized versatility.
Best for enterprise podcasters
Cleanfeed is aimed at professional and enterprise-scale audio podcasters. Though the inability to record video might leave some creators wanting more, the impeccable quality of the audio Cleanfeed offers is definitely attractive. But with a higher price point than other platforms, Cleanfeed is definitely targeting businesses with bigger budgets.
BoomCaster
Pricing:
Costs $20/month.
Boomcaster is an all-in-one platform for podcasting, vodcasting and live streaming. They offer local recording as a default so you never have to worry about recording quality.
Key Features
- Local video and audio recording. You can record high-quality audio and video for each of your participants which is unaffected by bad network connection.
- Double recording. Your session will be automatically recorded locally and through video conferencing, meaning you’ll end up with two versions.
- Livestream directly from Boomcaster.
- Customize your session with your logo and color palette.
Best for podcasters with a bigger budget.
Though Boomcaster promises high-quality local recording, its price point sits above other competitor platforms. For this reason, we’d say Boomcaster is best for podcasters with a bigger budget who like the platform - though there are definitely other tools out there that offer better bang for your buck.
Ringr
Pricing:
Starts from $7.99 per month.
Ringr is a simple app that helps you to record ‘crystal-clear, long-distance interviews on mobile and desktop.’
Key Features
- Desktop or mobile compatible. Use Ringr from your desktop or mobile app.
- Remote record with up to 4 guests.
- Local recording. Ringr records each participant locally to maximize the overall recording quality.
- Unlimited storage and calling.
- Simple and basic. Ringr has a straightforward and basic interface and workflow with no frills or extras.
Best for podcasters who want to keep things simple.
Compared to other platforms, Ringr is super simple. It doesn’t promise the best quality, since you’re only going to get mp3 audio, but it does offer a straightforward workflow. It’s also super budget-friendly since you get unlimited calling straight off the bat.
How to record a podcast remotely with Riverside
Recording a remote podcast with Riverside is designed to be easy. Expect an intuitive and hassle-free workflow for both host and remote guests. Here’s a quick overview of what the process looks like:
Step 1: Create your account. Then from your dashboard, create a new studio. Select whether you want your recording to be audio or audio and video. When you’re ready, head to your browser-based (or mobile app) studio.
Step 2: Check how you look in the Lobby and make sure the right mic and camera are selected. When everything is looking good, enter the studio.
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Step 3: Send the studio invite link to your remote guests. They can join using their desktop or download the free Riverside mobile app.
Note that you can also invite guests before entering the studio.
Step 4: Start recording and enjoy your session. Riverside records each guest locally on a separate track. Every participant’s audio (and video) uploads progressively as you record.
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Step 5: Once you’ve finished your recording and ended your session, you’ll be able to take a look through your recording tracks. You can choose to export and edit them or use Riverside’s built-in editor.
Learn more about recording a podcast remotely with Riverside in our guide.
FAQs on Remote Podcast Recording Software
How do you record a podcast remotely?
Remote podcasting is in Riverside’s DNA. Head to your Riverside dashboard, create a new studio, send the invite link to your remote guests and start recording. Simple.
How can I record a podcast remotely for free?
Believe it or not, all of Riverside’s tools and features are available to use for free. To record your podcast remotely for free, simply head to Riverside.fm to get started.
What is the best program for recording podcasts?
Though every podcaster will have different needs and criteria, Riverside ticks a lot of boxes: Iocal recording, high-quality audio and video, budget-friendly, easy to use…and the list goes on. Get started for free.
Can you record a podcast with someone far away?
Absolutely. Just because someone is on the other side of the world doesn’t mean you can’t record a high-quality podcast with them. Using Riverside, you can record a professional remote podcast no matter how far away they are or how bad their internet connection is.
Is Audacity or Garageband better for podcasts?
This depends on your specific circumstances. Garageband comes free with any Apple device and offers a sleek and intuitive user-experience just like any other Apple product. Audacity is free and open-source and will be the better option for podcasters who don’t use Apple products to start with.
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