Recording remote interviews

In this article, we'll guide you through the process of recording a remote interview in Descript. Whether you're conducting your interview directly within Descript using SquadCast, or using a third-party application like Zoom or Google Meet, we'll cover the steps you need to seamlessly record your conversation for any purpose.

Option 1: remote record using SquadCast

Your Descript offers remote recording in up to 4K quality through SquadCast. Simply connect your Descript and SquadCast accounts,—which is free. You can find are full guide on remote recording  here. 

Record collaboratively with Rooms

Discover and sign up for Descript's fully integrated collaborative recorder developed by SquadCast and Descript engineers.

Option 2: use a third party app

To remote record using a third party app, you'll need to setup the recording both in Descript and the third pary app.

1. Descript Setup

Setting up your recording

  1. Open or create a project or open the Record icon Record panel.
  2. Click Settings gear icon Settings and make adjustments to your recording settings as needed. Learn more about recording settings.
  3. Select Audio only, Camera, or Screen.
  4. Make sure Speaker icon computer audio is enabled; then, select your Microphone icon microphone input.
  5. Click Input settings icon  Settings and decide if you want to enable Studio Sound or transcription (you can also apply these after recording). If you are using an audio interface and recording multiple microphones, you can add separate tracks for each external input.
  6. If you'd like, add speaker labels by typing them in the text box next to your audio inputs and pressing Return (Mac) or Enter (Windows)

2. Third-party app setup 

We recommend that you and your guests disable any audio processing features in the third party app before getting started. Communication apps like Zoom or Google Meet may apply filters, like noise or echo cancellation, to your and your guests' audio. If these effects are enabled while you record, they will be baked into the audio file, so you won't be able to remove them after recording. Here's how to set audio preferences in Zoom:

Skip the hassle of learning a new workflow

If you'd rather just record using Zoom, Descript offers the most elegant and efficient integration with Zoom so you can seemlessly import and start editing your recordings.

Zoom audio settings

  1. Start your Zoom meeting
  2. Select the ^ icon next to your microphone in the bottom left corner and select Audio Settings
  3. Select Original sound for musicians
  4. Enable High-fidelity music mode
  5. Disable Echo cancellation
  6. Have your guest follow steps 1 through 4

Zoom app with numbered steps for setting up recommended audio preferences when recording to Descript

3. Record your interview

  1. In Descript, click the Record button across the bottom of the Record panel to start recording
  2. In your third party app, set your speaker or audio output to Descript Loopback Audio. If you've enabled automatic transcription in Descript, you should see the transcription generating in your composition as you record
  3. Press the Stop_recording_icon.png Stop button when you're done recording.

Multitrack recording in Descript

While the transcript in Descript will look like it's just a single track, Descript actually creates what we call a sequence, so you can edit the tracks individually. It's nice for editing out crosstalk or coughs. Learn more about sequences.

Tips and best practices

  • We recommend making a quick test recording to make sure all audio sources are being recorded and so you can troubleshoot any issues before conducting your actual recording session.
  • We highly recommended using headphones during recording. It will prevent audio feedback loops (high-pitched screeching) from your computer speakers and microphone.