How to Record a Phone Call for Podcasts in High Quality (3 Ways)

What Do I Need to Record a Phone Call for a Podcast?

First, let’s look at the essential equipment you’ll need to record podcast interview phone calls from anywhere. Starting a podcast from scratch doesn’t have to be that complicated, but you’ll need a few tools at a minimum, including:

• Podcast interview recording software
• Editing software
• A microphone
• Headphones
• A podcast camera (if you’re recording video)
• An audio interface (optional)

Let’s take a look at each component below.

Recording Software 

First, you’ll need something to capture the audio (and ideally, video) from your podcast recording sessions. 

There are many podcast recording software options out there. You can go with whatever voice memo or recording app that comes pre-loaded on your device—but as they say, you get what you pay for.

If you’re serious about creating high-quality, studio-level recordings, look no further than Riverside.fm. Our software comes with essential features like:

• Browser-based software, with nothing for you or your guests to download or install.
• Locally recorded audio and video, so your end result doesn’t depend on the quality of your internet connection.
• Separate, uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio tracks and up to 4K video tracks for each host and guest.
• Progressive uploading to the cloud, so your recording is ready as soon as you press “end”.
• Text-based video editor that makes creating professional content as easy as editing a text document.
• Automatic transcriptions that convert your podcasts and videos into text.

Because Riverside is browser-based and uses local recordings for each participant, it’s easy to hold remote interviews from anywhere in the world that still sound like they were recorded in the same studio.

And for podcasters on a budget, Riverside is an affordable choice; there is a completely free plan and paid plans start at only $15 per month. Sign up and see how easy it is to record studio-quality calls with Riverside!

Editing software

Riverside's text-based editor is good place to start, no matter your skill. You can use Ai transcriptions, available in over 100 languages, to edit and navigate through your video. Any time you delete text in your transcript, the matching video and audio deletes from your recording. Plus, you can navigate through your video without watching anything. There's a search bar and you can use the transcript to find an exact phrase you're looking for. Simple as that, you can get precise edits and once you're done you can fine-tune audio and customize your background, branding and layout.

That said, if you're looking for more advanced software you can consider:

• Pro Tools
• Audacity
• Adobe Premiere Pro

Check out our guide to choosing podcast editing software in 2021 for more detailed reviews.

Microphone 

To be taken seriously, you should record your podcast with a dedicated external microphone. Don’t rely on the built-in mic in your laptop or phone; good audio quality is the name of the game, and built-in mics just can’t cut it.

But choosing the right microphone for you is a complicated process. You’ll need to decide on factors like:

• Polar pickup pattern
• Dynamic vs. condenser 
• USB vs. XLR

If all these technical words sent your head spinning, don’t worry—we have a guide to choosing a podcast microphone that walks you through the decision process.

Headphones

Everyone on your podcast should be wearing headphones while you record. Why?

• Headphones prevent audio echo and bleed.
• They let you hear your voice, which gives you more control over the audio levels in real-time.
• Wearing headphones automatically improves your microphone technique.
• They let you monitor any external audio that may be being picked up, like background noises or buzzing.
• They help you edit better since headphones cancel out noise that isn’t part of the audio file.

Podcasting headphones come in many styles and price points, so you should choose whichever fits your needs and preferences. But we suggest that you look for lightweight, padded, and adjustable options that will help you stay comfortable for even the longest recording sessions.

Podcast Camera

You may not plan to publish video content at first, which is understandable. But there are so many benefits to video podcasting—especially since the exponential growth of the podcasting world means increased competition and saturation.

Video podcasts can help you stand out in that ever-growing crowd of content creators. And they enable you to diversify your content channels by publishing clips of your shows to YouTube and social media.

So if you do choose to record video for your podcast episodes, you’ll need a podcast camera. We recommend choosing one with a resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p) and a frame rate of 24fps or 30fps.

Audio interface

A lot of recording software can act as an audio interface, which is why it’s not always necessary to start a podcast with one. But, essentially an audio interface is a device that converts audio into a digital format your computer can read. If you’re looking to record a phone call for a podcast without needing a computer or an internet connection, this is one way to do so.

How to Record Phone Calls for Your Podcast with a Guest

Don’t fret if your interview podcast has gone virtual (whose hasn’t after COVID?) or your guest can’t make it to your studio. There are a few great ways to record phone calls for your podcast.

The simplest way is to use a voice recorder app, but it comes with a few drawbacks. You may want to use a podcast recording software—like Riverside.fm—that lets you record remotely at a higher quality. If you’re not looking to use specialized software another option is to record through a double-ender method or using an audio interface. 

We’ll go into each of these methods in more detail.

1. How to Record a Phone Call for a Podcast with Software

Many call recorder apps are on the market, like Cube ACR, OpenPhone, and Automatic Call Recorder. Many of these apps are VoIP business calling apps that include call recording as a feature of the (often paid) subscription. The downside is that many of these apps are designed merely to keep a record of phone calls with customers, not as a way to preserve crystal-clear audio for later publication.

Keep in mind that while a voice recording app might be simpler to use, this won't always give you the best quality. Because phone signals use a limited frequency range, even the best recorders will still sound like a phone call recording. Your guest’s side of the conversation may end up sounding fuzzy or muffled, which can frustrate and even turn off your listeners.

While we recommend choosing dedicated recording software like Riverside, here are a few voice recording apps and software you can try:

Riverside

Compatibility: All PC, iPhone and Android devices

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for remote podcasting, you may want to turn to Riverside instead. Riverside is a remote recording platform that allows you to conduct podcast interviews all online no matter where your guests are. 

Riverside’s user-friendly platform lets you invite guests with a click, and they can join via their browser or the Riverside mobile app. It’s as simple and easy as a phone call but with vastly improved audio quality.

The audio and video are automatically recorded locally to each participant’s device and uploaded progressively to the cloud as you hold your conversation. This means you don’t have to worry about internet connection issues ruining your recording’s resolution. The resulting recording is uncompressed and professional-quality, making it sound like each participant was in the same room. 

For more information on how to record video podcasts remotely, check out our guide here. You can also learn how to record a podcast on your phone with Riverside without even needing a computer. 

Learn more, or start recording seamlessly with Riverside.

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TapeACall

Compatibility: iPhone and Android phones

This call recording app lets you record incoming and outgoing calls directly from your mobile device. It offers transcription services and cloud storage, but otherwise it’s a simple-to-use mobile phone call recorder.

Zoom

Compatibility: All PC, iPhone, and Android phones

Zoom is a good option for podcasters on a budget since the first 40 minutes of a recording are free. However, the audio and video are compressed to reduce file transfer size (the result is far from studio-quality).

Skype + AudioHijack

Compatibility: AudioHijack is only available for Mac PCs

While Skype recently introduced a recording feature on its own, you’ll get better audio quality using AudioHijack, a third-party call recorder. But as with Zoom, using video conferencing software means sacrificing video and audio quality for the sake of the connection speed.

2. How to Record a Phone Call using a Double-Ender Method

Using Riverside.fm allows you to make use of a double-ender recording method without expecting your guests to have any special equipment. A double-ender is when you and your guests locally record audio and video rather than relying on internet or VoIP to record. If your guests don’t have the best internet connection or aren’t interested in recording with software, this might be an alternative for you to try.

This works better though when your guests have good recording equipment. Your guest should at least have a quality microphone, and it’s best if they have headphones, recording software, and a camera if you’re recording video too. 

Both you and your guest will then record individually and then afterward your guests will have to send over their recording files. This might be for more tech-savvy guests, but as we said a great way around this is to use double-ender recording software like Riverside. In this way, you can still record locally without expecting your guests to handle or even have any specialized equipment.

3. How to Record Phone Calls for Podcasts Using an Audio Interface

Unfortunately, some podcast guests aren’t willing to do anything other than sending you their phone number. They want a simple phone call from you, where they’ll answer your questions but expect you to do whatever you need to do to create a podcast out of your conversation.

In that case, your best bet may be to use an audio interface to ensure that at least your end of the conversation is of high quality.  

To do this, you’ll need to take the following steps before making the call:

1. Plug your smartphone into the audio interface using a ⅛” cable (you may need to use an adapter if you have a newer iPhone that doesn’t have a standard headphone jack)
2. Plug your microphone and headphones into separate inputs on the audio interface
3. Adjust the input and gain levels before hitting record
4. Begin recording—and remember that your guest will only hear you through the built-in microphone on your phone, so keep your phone close to your mouth when talking.

Tips for Recording Audio on Your Cell Phone

If you have the proper setup, you can get nearly the same quality by recording your podcast on an iPhone as you would using a desktop. The key is to use tools and tricks that capture the highest amount of audio data possible. 

1. Use a Good Mic

As mentioned above, you need a dedicated external microphone regardless of your recording device. Built-in mics just aren’t good enough for podcast-level audio. Check out our guide to choosing a podcast microphone for tips on picking the right mic for you.

2. Find a Quiet Place

Your environment also affects the quality of your podcast recording. 

Choose a quiet room where you can reasonably expect to be left alone and distraction-free. Try to pick a carpeted room with furniture; the more soft surfaces there are, the less reverb and echo for your microphone to pick up. 

And don’t forget to turn off or silence your phone notifications!

3. Use Good Audio Recording Software Like Riverside.fm

If you want the best results, you should use the best software. Our new mobile app brings Riverside’s professional-quality recording software straight to your iPhone. 

Each participant is locally recorded in full HD, regardless of the quality of the internet connection. No more worrying about lagging wifi on the go! And the recording is saved in lossless WAV audio and up to 4K video, which means the highest and clearest resolution for your podcast episode.

Recording Phone Calls for Your Podcast FAQ:

How do I record a live conversation?

You have many options to record a live conversion for your podcast. The simplest is to use a voice recorder app for your phone call, but if you want clear audio, your best bet is to use software like Riverside.fm.

Is it a crime to record a phone call?

Federal and state laws vary when recording phone calls without the other person knowing about it. In the U.S., federal law dictates that only one party (the caller) must know the phone call is being recorded. But in fifteen states, including California, Illinois, and Florida, the law requires that all parties to the phone call consent to recording. 

Can you take calls on a podcast?

Yes—and taking live call-ins can be a fun way to include your audience! Riverside.fm has a live call-in feature that lets listeners request to have their calls accepted by the host during the recording. 

Does recording software affect sound quality?

The software you use affects the sound quality of your recording. Many software options—like video conferencing software and voice recorder apps—may let you record a call, but they aren’t built specifically for audio production. 

If you’re considering starting a podcast, you should look for recording software that doesn’t compress files for the sake of quick data transfer. You need something that’s easy to use and doesn’t require complicated installations—especially if you’ll be using it instead of a standard phone call. 

Thankfully, Riverside.fm checks all of those boxes. Start recording for free and see for yourself!