How to make remote podcasts work

So, you’ve got the idea and a story worth telling, but once you hit record you’re very well aware that it doesn’t really sound professional. It’s choppy and messy, that’s how it sounds. We’re aware (we produce podcasts remotely, we kinda have an idea).

But no worries, we know that starting a project can be daunting, and a podcast means you’re either gonna be talking about something in front of a camera, or you’re gonna be talking to people in front of a camera.

You also might have seen that some people actually do it live in a studio, or they interview people in their own spaces. So, is it worth it to do it in a remote setup?

Remote podcasting 

For a long time, people thought that recording a podcast remotely meant compromising quality. That’s not the case anymore.

With the right tools, prep, and concept, your podcast can achieve amazing results. Two big examples are:

• New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

• Grounded with Louis Theroux

There are also multiple podcasters who use this format, mainly in corporate or videogames/geek scenarios, which means it already has an audience depending on what you wanna focus on.

Things to keep an eye out for

Now, even though we have amazing examples of podcasters who’ve achieved great results with a remote podcast, we still gotta keep in mind a few things that might be an issue:

• Inconsistent guest audio (or video)

• Glitches

• Tech setup issues (such as guests encountering difficulties navigating or accessing the recording platform)

• Bad acoustics in remote spaces

• Background noise (ugly backgrounds also count)

• Last-minute issues (such as losing access to equipment, device malfunctions right before recording or power outages)

You can have the most incredible idea for an episode, a wonderful script, and the most amazing guest, but if the audio sounds awful and the guest’s background has people behind them or it’s a bed, it’s definitely not gonna work for you.

Literally 48% of podcast listeners stop listening to a podcast due to audio quality (and 70% stop if there are way too many ads, so don’t cram your podcast with those either).

Remote doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality.

Recording softwares and what you gotta know:

When you’re gonna pick a remote recording software for your podcasts, here’s what you gotta take into account:

• Local vs cloud recording: Local recording means each participant’s audio and video is captured directly on their device and not over the internet. This keeps quality high regardless of connection speed.

• Audio formats: MP3 files compress audio, taking up less space but lowering quality. The software you choose should produce uncompressed WAV files instead. They’re heavier but much better quality.

• Video resolution: If your platform supports 4K recording, good. But at the very least, use 1080p.

• Compatibility: Make sure the software works well with your equipment (laptops, mics, browser, cameras…).

Now, about softwares, here are a few to choose from:

Riverside

• Strengths: Local recording (up to 4K video + uncompressed audio), stable even with poor internet, built-in transcription and AI editing.

• Best for: Podcasters who want broadcast-quality recordings and post-production tools all in one.

• Watch out for: Can feel a little heavy on resources, and some users report reliability issues with guests.

StreamYard

• Strengths: Browser-based, no download for guests, great for live streaming across YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook, solid branding tools.

• Best for: Live-streaming podcasts, panel discussions, or shows where simplicity and branding matter.

• Watch out for: Recording quality is solid but not as high as Riverside or SquadCast.

SquadCast

• Strengths: Local recording for audio and video, cloud backups, multi-format exports, easy for remote guests.

• Best for: Teams who want the reliability of Riverside without some of the tech hiccups.

• Watch out for: Post-production tools are more limited—you’ll likely need separate editing software.

Zencastr

• Strengths: Known for excellent lossless audio, supports video, offers a built-in soundboard for live effects.

• Best for: Audio-focused podcasters who want clean, studio-quality sound.

• Watch out for: Fewer visual branding and streaming features compared to others.

Podcastle

• Strengths: All-in-one platform with AI-powered recording, editing, noise removal, and transcription. Very beginner-friendly.

• Best for: Podcasters who want to record and edit in the same space, especially if they’re newer to production.

• Watch out for: Less customization and scalability than higher-end platforms.

What do we honestly think?

• For best audio/video quality → Riverside or SquadCast.

• For live-streaming ease → StreamYard.

• For audio purists → Zencastr.

• For beginners/all-in-one needs → Podcastle.

It’s more than talking to a microphone

There are even more softwares you could use to record your podcast. But please keep in mind that even though having the right platform matters, it’s not the only thing that makes a remote session sound good.

The brands may sell you extra podcast features, but always remember what matters: quality audio (and video if you’re also doing that).

Remember to always use good headphones, keep local backups running, and have a good setup overall. (It doesn’t have to be the most expensive!)

If you’d like us to help you create, elaborate, write, and imagine how your podcast could be, don’t be shy to contact us. We have an amazing team that can take you to the moon with your podcast (not literally though).

Santiago Olivares Torres  

Producer at Graystoke Networks  

Helping leaders share their voice through podcasting.  

Based in Bogotá, Colombia. Outdoor enthusiast, Golden Girls fan, and gamer at heart.  

Let’s talk