Zoom.us Podcasting Setup

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Sometimes you can’t come in to the studio - so here are our tips for recording your podcast via Zoom.us.

If you’d prefer to leave the tech to someone else, we can help with that. Book a free consultation to learn more about how our remote podcast training and recording sessions work.

We like Zoom’s teleconferencing app for podcasting because:

  • The free account is all you need for one-on-one remote podcast recording (calls with more than three people have a 40-minute limit without a paid account).

  • Many people are already familiar with the software, and might already have the app.

  • Zoom allows for multi-track recording, which is essential for keeping sound quality at its best (NOTE: You MUST use LOCAL recording and NOT cloud for this to work).

Tips for The Best Audio Quality:

  • For the host’s side, use a computer, not a smartphone or tablet.

  • Use a wired microphone or headset, not your built-in mic, nor bluetooth.

  • Wear headphones or earbuds on the call to avoid echo/feedback.

  • Skip the video: this saves bandwidth, leaving more for audio.

  • Use local recording: Zoom’s cloud recording won’t give you multi-track recordings.

Zoom Setup:

NOTE: These instructions apply to the PC or Mac computer versions of Zoom, not iPad or Mobile — you must record on a computer to get the best audio quality and separated audio tracks.

  • Plug in your headset or microphone and turn it on (if it has a switch).

  • Setting up your Zoom meeting

    • Open Zoom and click “Schedule”

      • Give the meeting a generic name like “Podcast Interview”

      • Select “Recurring Meeting”

      • Video: Off for both host & guests, unless you plan on sharing video.

      • Audio: Choose Telephone and Computer Audio.

      • Advanced Options: 

        • Check “Enable Join Before Host”

        • Check “Record the meeting automatically on the local...”
          (NOTE: You MUST use LOCAL recording and NOT cloud for this to work).

      • Click “Schedule” to save meeting (but skip the calendar invite step)

      • Now, in Zoom, under “Meetings”, you have a re-usable meeting that you can use for every podcast recording - just click “copy invitation” and paste it into an email to your guest (or click “start” if your guest is already in your zoom contacts and ready to go)

  • In Zoom, click your profile picture and select “Settings” (or click the cog icon)

    • In the Audio Tab

      • Ensure the Speaker and Microphone are correctly selected

      • “Test Speaker” and “Test Mic” to ensure everything is working.

    • In the Recording Tab

      • Check the following options:

        • “Record a separate audio file for each participant...”

        • “Optimize for 3rd party video editor”

Start your meeting and double-check that it says “recording” in the top corner (if it doesn’t, click the record button and select “Record on this Computer” at the bottom of the zoom window).

Here’s a quick video of us getting set up for a zoom interview:


Start PodcastingJP DavidsonComment