Zoom vs. Squadcast: Why Paying for Remote Recording Services Has Made All the Difference
In an ideal world, you and your co-host or interviewee would be able to sit down in the same studio and record the latest episode for your podcast. Unfortunately, life isn’t always that clean and tidy. Especially in our current world, where social distancing is of the utmost importance.
The good news? Podcasters have been doing remote recordings since the very beginning, and there are some great options out there. While there are free services and plans, I highly suggest upgrading to a paid service. When it comes to recording quality audio, you just don’t want to take any chances.
✴ Squadcast
Out of all the remote recording options, my personal favorite is Squadcast. That’s for several reasons, but the number one reason is that it’s reliable. And when it comes to recording content for my podcasts, I never want to worry about whether or not I’m capturing high-quality audio. With Squadcast, I know my back is covered.
But let’s back up a bit. What is Squadcast, exactly? It’s a remote recording service that records lossless audio. Plus, it allows you to video conference while recording, so you can actually see the person you’re talking to. Squadcast also makes it easy to confirm that all parties are using the right microphone, camera, and headphones by giving you an overview of which devices everyone’s using.
And the most important feature? Squadcast uploads recordings to its cloud server as you go, so if something happens mid-stream, you won’t lose your recording. (Talk about a nightmare situation!) Then, after you’re all done, Squadcast will send you the recording split up into separate tracks for each user, so editing is a breeze.
✴ Zoom
Six months ago, you’d be excused for not knowing what Zoom was. Now? Everyone and their mother knows Zoom and how to use it. That familiarity is one of the platform’s biggest perks. Anyone you’re trying to record with likely already has a Zoom account, so you won’t have to walk them through any additional steps to download a new program.
Like Squadcast, Zoom is capable of recording separate tracks for each user. Plus, it’ll record video in addition to audio, so you can use both mediums however you see fit. The downside? Zoom is, first and foremost, a video conferencing service, which leads it to compress its audio quality in service of better video streaming. That’s less than ideal when your main goal is to get a clean recording.
Related: How to Include a Remote Guest or Co-Host on Your Podcast
✴ Zencastr
The last of the three big remote recording services is Zencastr. This platform allows you to handle every step of the recording process within its ecosystem, and it has several unique features that set it apart.
There’s a soundboard where you can upload your sound clips to play directly into your recording, which might save you time during later edits. It also has features that allow for easier noise reduction and output level adjustment in post-production.
The biggest downfall of Zencastr is that there’s no video option. If that doesn’t bother you, then this is a solid recording service. But personally, I like to be able to see my guests and co-hosts while we talk. It makes it feel more like an actual conversation and allows me to pick up on body language and facial cues.
✴ My final choice
While you can’t go too wrong with any of these options, Squadcast is definitely my choice for remote recording. It might seem more appealing to go with a free option, but if you can afford it, it’s best not to skimp when it comes to audio. There are many places where you can cut corners to save a few bucks, but if you’re serious about podcasting, try to invest in a good recording service. You’ll be so thankful you did!
Looking for more recommended tools? Check out our list of the best podcast tools of 2022.
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PODCASTING GUIDES
Launch a Podcast in 30 Days Checklist Guide to Growth & Monetization The Best Podcast Equipment 2022 The Ultimate Production Checklist Vocal Warm-ups for Podcasters Target Listener Persona Template