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Wondering how to record separate video tracks on Zoom? It's possible — but not exactly easy.
Zoom doesn’t natively support multi-track video recording, which makes editing harder and limits your options.
Luckily, there are a couple of workarounds you can use.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to record separate video tracks on Zoom — and why switching to Riverside makes the whole process a lot simpler.
How to record separate video tracks on Zoom: 2 Methods
Zoom wasn't designed with multi-track recording in mind. If you need to record each participant's video feed separately, you'll need to get a bit creative with workarounds.
We’ll walk you through two options, but be prepared for some technical steps. We'll break down the essentials so you can get started. And if you want a much easier alternative, then head to our steps on how to record separate video tracks using Riverside.
Option 1: Use ZoomISO to record individual video outputs
If you're a macOS user, you can use ZoomISO to record separate video feeds from your Zoom meetings or webinars.
Available through the Zoom App Marketplace, this tool lets you export each participant’s video feed individually.
Keep in mind, though, that setting up ZoomISO isn't exactly plug-and-play – it requires a fair bit of technical expertise to get it working right.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
What you’ll need:
- A macOS computer with an Apple Silicon chip.
- A Zoom account.
- Recording permissions. (You can record on Zoom as a host, co-host or if a host has specifically granted you recording permissions.)
- Video recording software like OBS, vMix, or a hardware recorder.
Step 1: Install and launch ZoomISO.
Sign in using the “Sign in with Zoom” option, then approve ZoomISO access in your Zoom account when prompted. This step is necessary to link ZoomISO with your Zoom meetings.
Step 2: Join or start a Zoom meeting as usual.
Important: Sign in with the same account you’re using in ZoomISO.
Step 3: Head to the “Outputs” tab in ZoomISO’s settings and set the number of outputs to match how many separate feeds you want to capture.
Set up each participant as a separate output.
Then, for each participant, you can configure each of the following:
- Output Mode: This determines the source of the participant’s video feed. You can set it to “Participant” to capture the specific participant’s active feed. But there are also options to assign it to the active speaker, a specific spotlighted participant, a screenshare, or the active screen share.
- Output Type: This specifies the output protocol or device. Options here include NDI, Syphon, Display Output, and Black Magic. If you’re capturing and recording your stream to video recording software like OBS, you will choose NDI or Syphon.
Step 4: Go to the top bar and click the “Capture Mode” dropdown to select “Record”.
Step 5: Start the data stream for each output by setting “Output Engine” to “Enabled.”
Step 6: Check each feed with the “Preview” button, but keep an eye on your system performance by using the “Activity Monitor” that’s native to the macOS app. If your CPU usage goes over 80% or bandwidth exceeds 100mbps, your video quality may take a hit.
Step 7: Record the outputs. ZoomISO doesn’t record video files, so you’ll need to assign each ZoomISO output to a separate input in your recording software and hit record.
If you are using OBS, for example, You will select an NDI or Syphon source for each ZoomISO output (each participant). Once all sources are added and configured, you can start recording to get a separate video track for each participant.
For more detailed instructions, you can find a full manual on ZoomISO’s site.
Option 2: Have each video participant record their video locally
The second method is less technical than using ZoomISO, but includes some pretty complicated logistics.
You’ll need to ask each participant to record themselves locally and send you the files afterward. In other words, each participant in your video will share their own version of the recording.
What you’ll need:
- Have each participant install the Zoom desktop app (mobile and browser-based versions can’t do local recording).
- Permissions to record from the host of the Zoom meeting.
- Clear instructions for each participant on how to set this up.
Step 1: Enable local recording
Sign in to your Zoom account from the browser-based app (the Zoom web portal). From your account home page, click on “Settings” from the left side bar, then select “Recordings.”
Make sure the “Record to computer files” toggle is enabled. Note that every participant of the recording must follow this step and the next one.
Step 2: Setup the files folder
Now open your Zoom desktop app (not the web client). Click on your profile picture on the upper right corner, then click “Settings.”
Under the “Recording” tab you can choose the folder where your local files will be saved. While you’re here, you can also enable “Record a separate audio file for each participant” to record separate audio tracks.
Step 3: Assign recording privileges to all participants
Start your Zoom meeting or webinar.
Once all participants have joined, click on the “Participants” icon at the bottom to open the right side bar.
From here, click on the three dots icon [...] near each participant, then “Allow to record to computer” to grant them permissions. Do this for each person who needs to record.
Step 4: Start the recording
Click on the “More” button on the bottom bar, then “Record” to start the recording.
Zoom will record what each participant sees, so you’ll need to ask each participant to pin their own video to make sure their video file is full screen.
Step 5: Process the recording files
When the meeting ends, each participant will need to click “Stop Recording.” Zoom will process the recording, then save the video, audio, and chat files in the folder that was selected earlier.
Step 6: Share the recording files
Ask each participant to upload their audio and video files to a shared Google Drive or Dropbox folder. Now you have the files you need for editing using video editing software. We recommend providing a file naming convention (like "FirstName_LastName_Date") to keep everything organized.
Read: How to Record Zoom Meetings With or Without Permission
Riverside: The easy way to record separate video tracks
Sure, you can record separate video tracks using Zoom. But as you’ve probably guessed already, it’s not going to be easy, no matter how you choose to do it.
With Riverside, the technical or logistical nightmares are over. Record each participant’s separate audio and video tracks automatically - with up to 1 participants total! You can use Riverside for meetings, webinars, presentations, virtual conferences, and more.
And unlike Zoom, you don’t need a third-party software to edit your recording. With the streamlined text-based editor, you can take your project from concept to content in no time.
Here’s how to record separate video tracks in Riverside:
Step 1: Sign up or log in to your Riverside account.
Step 2: Select a studio or create a new one. To create a new one, click “+ New studio” at the bottom of the studio list and fill in the details.
Step 3: In the studio dashboard, select “Record” to start right away, or “Plan” to schedule your recording for later.
Step 4: You’ll go to the lobby where you can set up your equipment. Click “Join studio” when you’re ready to enter your recording studio. Note that recording will not begin immediately.
Step 5: In the studio, you can invite guests if you haven’t already. Copy the link on the pop-up for inviting guests, or you can choose to “Invite by email”.
Guests don’t need to create a new account or download anything - they can join immediately.
Step 6: Select your recording resolution by clicking the “Settings” gear in the top right of your screen.
Unlike Zoom, which records in 720p or 1080p, Riverside lets you capture crystal-clear 4K video and studio-quality 48 kHz audio.
Plus, everything is recorded locally, so your quality will stay top-notch regardless of internet connection.
From this menu, you can also automatically remove background noise. Or, open the full settings menu to customize your studio background, colors, and add a logo for a professional look.
Close the settings when you’re done.
Step 7: When your guests join, you’ll have to accept them into the studio.
Once everyone’s ready, start your recording by clicking the “Record” button.
During your recording, you can play audio files using the “Media” tab, share your screen, or display a presentation. All media tracks and screen shares also record on a separate track.
Step 8: When you’re done, click “Stop” to end the recording.
Step 9: Click “View Recording” to access your recording files. Click on “Recording Files” under the preview and then you can download separate tracks.
You can select Raw audio or video, which will provide the original recording files. Or, download an Aligned video, which includes padding to make sure all tracks are synced.
Step 10: I you want to edit your recording before downloading it, hover over it in the dashboard and click “Edit” to go to the video editor. Here you can trim your recording, customize the layout, add captions, overlays and fix up your audio in minutes with automated tools.
Why choose Riverside for recording separate video tracks?
If you’re comparing Riverside vs. Zoom, Riverside can do what Zoom does, and more, including:
- Higher quality audio and video: Riverside captures up to 4K video quality and 48kHz uncompressed audio; Zoom only records in up to 1080p.
- Local recording: Unlike Zoom, Riverside records each track directly from each person’s device, so quality doesn’t depend on your connection speed.
- Built-in video editor: Riverside provides a full video editor; Zoom only has a trimming tool.
- Affordable audience capacity: Host up to 10 guests and 10,000 audience members for less than $50/month. On Zoom, you’ll need to pay thousands per month for this.
- Automatic transcription: With Riverside, you can record in your native language and get quick and accurate transcripts in 100+ languages. Zoom only supports recorded transcription in English.
- Content repurposing tools: Create short, shareable clips of your video you can use for social media with Magic Clips. (Nope, Zoom doesn’t have it.).
FAQs about recording separate video tracks on Zoom
Still looking for information? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Can you do two separate recordings in one Zoom meeting?
Technically, yes, but it requires some manual effort. Each participant needs to start their own separate recording of the same Zoom meeting. Then they need to stop the recording and ensure it’s saved locally.
This way, Zoom will save each person’s video to their respective computers. Note, that each person in the call will need to start and stop their respective local recordings. If they want to capture themselves as the main view rather than whoever's speaking, they’ll also need to pin their own video during the call.
Can you record only part of a Zoom meeting?
Zoom itself doesn’t offer a built-in way to record just a part of a meeting, but you can still manually capture just the section you need.
Just click “Record” when the part you want to capture starts and “Stop” when it ends. If you record your whole meeting to the cloud, you can also use Zoom’s built-in trimming tool.
You can get some more tips in our article on how to edit a Zoom recording.
How do I split a Zoom recording?
While you can trim your recording using Zoom’s trimming tool, you can’t split the recording into separate clips. For that, you'll need a third-party video editing software. To split and merge your Zoom recording, you can easily upload it into a video editor like Riverside, ClipChamp, iMovie, or CapCut.
