Recording remote interviews

In this article, we'll walk you through recording a remote interview in a third-party app like Zoom or Google Meet.

Use headphones

We highly recommended using headphones during recording. It will prevent audio feedback loops (high-pitched screeching) from your computer speakers and microphone.

Setting up both apps

Descript Setup

Open Descript and create a project
At the top of the editor, click and open the Record panel
Select Audio only, Camera, or Screen
Click Settings and make adjustments to your recording settings as needed. Learn more about recording settings
Make sure computer audio is enabled
Select your microphone input
Click 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
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)

Third-party app

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:

Zoom audio settings

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

Record your interview

Before you start your interview

We recommend following the steps below and doing a quick test recording to make sure all audio sources are being recorded into your Descript composition.

In Descript, click the Record button across the bottom of the Record panel to start recording
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
Press the 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.