Zoom.us Podcasting Setup
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: