Podcasting comes with its array of challenges. While theoretically all you need to create a podcast is a suitable microphone, podcast hosting platform, and a subject that you can drone on about for hours, you’ll also need software. Free audio recording applications like Audacity are superb, but recording a podcast remotely can be tricky. Thanks to Zencastr, that problem is solved. Learn about Zencastr, from what it is to how to use it and if it’s right for you!
What is Zencastr?
Zencastr is a web-based podcast recording platform that allows you to capture studio-caliber audio in a web browser. Separate tracks are recorded for each guest locally which avoids any dropped audio or quality dips. On the technical side, audio is captured in 16-bit 44.1L WAV for audiophile-level audio quality. And since Zencastr uses its own Voice over IP (VoIP) service, there’s no need to screen capture from the likes of Zoom or Skype. Voice and text chat is all available from within Zencastr itself.
Additionally, Zencastr boasts automatic postproduction for mixing down separate tracks into a single file. There’s cloud integration for Google Drive and DropBox. Plus, its live editing soundboard lets you easily insert intros, outros, and other audio clips while you record. What’s more, there’s a video feature in beta.
Zencastr features:
- Remote podcast recording service
- Records separate tracks for each guest locally
- Lossless 16-bit 44.1K WAV recordings available
- Built-in VoIP with voice and text chat
- Cloud integration (send recordings to Google Drive or Dropbox automatically)
- Automatic postproduction available
- Live editing soundboard for inserting audio clips as you record
Zencastr Pricing
There are two tiers for the Zencastr web-based podcast recording platform: Free and professional. The base free tier lets you record with up to two guests and caps recordings at eight hours a month. It offers high-quality MP3 recordings and pay-per-use postproductions. Step up to Zencaster Professional for $18 USD per month when billed annually, or $20 on a month-to-month basis. With Zencastr Pro, you’ll benefit from unlimited guests and recordings, the live editing soundboard, high-quality MP3 recordings or lossless WAV files, and 10 hours of automatic postproduction each month.
How to Record Remote Podcasts with Zencastr
Recording a podcast remotely with Zencastr is pretty easy. Once you’ve logged in, select Create New Episode.
Then, give your episode a name.
After that, you’ll be able to view your recording space. There’s a brief check of your settings, such as ensuring that your audio input and output are working properly. Then, you’re ready to record. As a first step, it’s best to head into Settings and make sure your audio input or microphone and audio output or speakers are properly selected. You can also choose different options such as enabling or disabling the monitor functionality so you can hear your own voice in real-time or not, toggling on echo cancellation, and whether or now to use Zencastr’s VoIP versus Skype, Google Hangouts, or another voice chat option.
To add guests, click Invite where you’ll be prompted to enter guest email addresses and names. Alternatively, you can copy an invite link and send that out.
When you’re all set up, press Start Recording. Every time you stop a recording, Zencastr makes a new session. So clicking into one of my recent podcasts, for instance, yields three different recordings helpfully labeled “Recording 1,” “Recording 2,” Recording 3,” and so forth.
Zencastr Review – An Easy Way to Record Podcasts Remotely
While recording a podcast or interview in the same room might not be simple, it’s less challenging than a remote podcast recording session. However, Zencastr removes those obstacles. The user-friendly web-based audio recording platform is a breeze to use and comes outfitted with a slew of much-needed features for podcasting from anywhere. Separate recording tracks for each guest is a nice touch. If there’s background noise on one line or guests talk over one another, you can edit that out. By each guest’s name is a hand, and clicking that signals that a certain host is speaking. With a pair of co-hosts, that’s not absolutely necessary, but three or more makes it a must to avoid everyone clamoring at once.
Zencastr’s built-in VoIP solution is excellent. It works flawlessly and simplifies the recording process by avoiding the chore of adding an external service like Skype or Google Hangouts. Still, you can opt to use your preferred Voice over IP solution instead. Text chat is a nifty inclusion for communicating non-verbally with co-hosts. And the pricing is just right. The free plan doesn’t feel limited. Rather, its feature set is perfect for small- to medium-sized podcasts.
Moreover, recording quality is top-notch. Although I’m using the free tier, MP3 audio sounds stellar. In recording locally, then uploading to Zencastr, crystal-clear recordings are ensured. In fact, my Zencastr podcast recording sessions arguably sound better than many of my podcasts that were recorded in the same room. Granted, some of this depends on the acoustics of the room, gain levels, and other technical elements. But Zencastr remarkably produces lush-sounding MP3s or lossless WAV files. With its video beta, you could even record a remote video interview.
Should You Use Zencasrt – Is Zencastr Worth it?
So is Zencastr worth it? Absolutely. The web-based platform is easy to use and doesn’t sacrifice audio quality. The free tier doesn’t skimp on functionality, and the professional option remains reasonably priced. Its feature set is clearly targeted at podcasters, and Zencastr definitely understands its demographic. Seemingly-small inclusions go a long way, such as the hand-raising mechanism to designate a speaker, a built-in VoIP service, local recordings to account for unstable Internet connections, and a text chat. For recording remote podcasts, Zencastr is a must-use.
Your turn: How are you recording podcasts from afar?
Zencastr
Pros
- User-friendly
- Excellent recording quality
- Reasonably-priced
- Fantastic podcast-centric features like hand-raising, built-in VoIP, text chat
- Local recordings for top-notch quality, Google Drive and Dropbox integrations
Cons
- Only two plans
- Limited to MP3 with free tier
Recent Comments