Recording when you're not in the same room

At some point, almost every podcaster needs to record with someone who isn’t sitting across from them. Maybe your guest is in another city or on a different continent. You can’t be in the same room, and you don’t have to be. Remote recording is now standard practice, and if it’s done well, listeners won’t know the difference.

So how do you do it well?

What remote recording means

When you record remotely, you and your guest(s) connect over the internet and record a conversation from separate locations.

The tool most people reach for first is Zoom. It works, it’s familiar, and most guests already have it. But Zoom is built for communication first, not for the cleanest possible podcast recording. Slow or spotty internet connections can result in drop-offs and hurt even a great conversation.

Also, Zoom processes audio for live conversation, and that can leave a recording sounding flat or more processed. The connection may have felt fine during the conversation. The recording can still be a problem. This short video shows there are settings that can improve Zoom’s audio quality. 

Dedicated podcast recording platforms such as Riverside, SquadCast, and Zencastr solve this differently. Instead of relying only on the live call stream, they record each participant’s audio locally on their own device and then upload the files. The live call can still hit problems but the recording is more likely to stay clean. If audio quality matters to your show, this is the better starting point.

Before you hit record: a checklist

Most remote recording problems are preventable. The majority happen because nobody checked the basics in advance.

Your own setup

Use an external microphone if you have one. Even an entry-level USB mic is a big step up from a built-in laptop mic.

Wear wired headphones. They are usually the safer option for recording. Without headphones, your speaker audio can bleed into your mic.

Try to find a quiet room with soft furnishings — carpets, curtains, bookshelves. Those absorb sound while hard surfaces reflect it and result in echo. Also, close windows and doors. Turn off fans, air conditioning, and anything else that makes background noise.

And don’t forget to turn off the notifications on your computer and phone. It’s hard to edit out a ping mid-word.

Your guest’s setup

Send them a simple checklist before the session – don’t assume they know what they need or what to do.

Confirm they have a working microphone, headphones, a quiet space, and a stable internet connection. And ask them to charge their device before the session.

On the recording day

Run a 30-second test recording before the real session starts. Play it back. Fix problems now, not in editing.

Always get clear permission before you record. Recording laws vary by country, and sometimes by state or region, so check the rules that apply to you and your guest.

Double-enders: the highest-control option

Here’s the problem with recording a Zoom call directly: you’re capturing the meeting audio, not the clean original sound from each microphone. One of the best ways to keep control over quality is a technique called a double-ender.

The idea is simple. Instead of recording one shared audio stream over the internet, each person records their own audio locally on their own device. You record your side. Your guest records theirs. After the session, you combine the two files in editing. The result can sound like you were both in the same room, even if you were on different sides of the world.

A manual double-ender works like this: you use Zoom or any other call tool just to talk to each other. Separately, each of you opens a local recording app — QuickTime or GarageBand on a Mac, Audacity on any platform — and hits record. When the session is done, your guest sends you their file. You sync the two tracks in your editing software and mix from there.

Platforms like Riverside, SquadCast, and Zencastr automate much of this process. Everyone joins a session via a link, and the software records each participant locally in the background without requiring guests to manage a separate recording app or send files afterwards. This is often the easiest path, especially if your guests are not technically confident.

One thing to watch for in manual double-enders

Different computers can record at slightly different speeds. On a short interview this barely matters. On a longer conversation, even a small difference can cause the two tracks to drift apart by several seconds.

Fix this by using a sync marker — a single clap or a verbal count — at the start of the session. Some producers repeat this at the end of longer recordings too. Most editing software makes alignment straightforward once you have that reference point.

Which option will work best for you?

If you need the cheapest workable setup:

Use a familiar call tool such as Zoom and record a local backup on your side. If your guest can also record locally, even better. This is often the most realistic low-budget option.

If you want the easiest route to better audio:

Use a platform like Riverside, SquadCast, or Zencastr. They record separate local tracks for each participant, which is a big step up from recording a live call stream. They advertise free tiers but check their websites for the latest pricing plans.

If you want maximum control:

Use a manual double-ender. You and your guest talk over a call, but each of you records your own audio locally in QuickTime, GarageBand, Audacity, or similar software. Just make sure both sides understand what they have to do.

Remote recording does not have to mean lower quality. The biggest risks — poor environment, bad equipment, and no backup — are within your control. Sort those out before the session starts, and choose a recording method that fits your budget and your guest’s confidence level. A little prep work before the call can save a lot of frustration later.