Do you want to record a podcast with a guest who's in another city or indeed another country? You don't need a studio. You don't need any complicated software at all.
Zencastr lets you record a podcast remotely, straight in your browser. You open it up, you send your guest a link and you record great audio and video. This Zencastr tutorial for beginners walks you through how to use Zencastr step by step.
What Is Zencastr?
Zencastr is an online studio for podcasters. It's for remote podcasting. The host and guest don't have to be in the same room. Each person just joins from their own browser.
Zencastr records each person on a separate track so even if the internet is poor during the call the end result is still clean. For the novice the best thing about it is that there aren't a huge number of settings to get your head around and everything from setup through to recording through to post production is all in one place.
Step 1: Open the Zencastr Dashboard
Firstly log into Zencastr and open your dashboard (this is your home page on Zencastr). Here you'll be able to see your episodes, kick off a new recording and come back to old recordings at a later date.
Take a moment to look around you first. Once you know where the main buttons are you find recording is a lot easier.
Step 2: Create a New Recording Session
To record a podcast with Zencastr you need a Zencastr recording session. Click Create New Recording Session.
Then you will need to:
- Give your episode a name. This will make it far easier to locate when you come to find the recording later on.
- Select audio only, or audio and video. If you want a video podcast or short clips for social media then select audio and video. If you just want a simple audio podcast then select audio only.
- Click Create. This opens the recording studio.
Your browser will now prompt you for mic and camera permission. Allow both for video. For audio only, just allow the mic. You won't be able to record your voice or image without this permission.
Step 3: Check Your Settings Before You Record
Don't press record yet. First, check these things in the studio:
- Start Recording button: this is the main button, just make sure your guest has joined and your settings are correct before you press it.
- Recording mode: Check again whether you're recording audio only, or audio and video.
- Sound effects: you can play the built-in sounds. You can also add your own sounds via the plus (+) button. Use them sparingly as they can otherwise be a bit distracting.
- Call Settings (top right): open this prior to every recording. Ensure the correct mic and camera are selected. Set your desired max resolution. Turn echo cancellation on or off. Once you've done that click Done.
One simple rule for good sound: wear your headphones, get into a quiet room and make sure you've got the correct mic selected (don't select your laptop mic by accident).
Step 4: Invite Your Guests
Now let's look at how you invite guests on Zencastr. It takes less than a minute:
- Click the 'Invite' button in the studio.
- Type in your guest's name. That name will appear on the video so get it right.
- Type in your guest's email address and send the invite.
- Alternatively, simply copy the invite link and send it yourself via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, email or wherever you otherwise communicate with your guest.
When your guest joins the session the screen splits so you can both be seen side by side. Your guest doesn't need any complicated setup at all, they just open the link in their browser.
Before you start, let your guest know to use their headphones and to keep the browser tab open until the recording has fully uploaded at the end.
Step 5: Record Your Episode
When your guest is in the studio and your settings are checked, you are ready to record:
- Click Start Recording. You'll see a 3-2-1 countdown and then you're live.
- You can mute yourself at any time during the recording or turn your camera off. That's useful if you need to cough, have a drink of water or just need a brief break without having to stop the whole thing.
- Zencastr also has a go-live option for social platforms if you want to go live as well as record.
Then just talk. Zencastr takes care of the technical bits in the background. You can concentrate on the talk. It's far simpler to learn than Riverside (which has far more settings and controls) and that's a massive advantage for your first few episodes.
Step 6: Stop, Preview, and Manage Your Recording
When you're finished just click Stop Recording. Then head back to your dashboard and find your episode. From there you can:
- Preview the recording, to check how it sounds and looks
- Download the audio and video files, to edit them somewhere else
- Archive episodes you want to keep but do not need every day
- Edit or rename the episode, so your list stays neat
You can also view your full list of episodes under the Episodes section. As your show grows nothing gets lost.
Step 7: Turn Episodes Into Clips and Check Performance
After your first episode, two more tools are worth knowing:
- Clips: you can clip bits of your video. A 30-second highlight is generally much better for social than a simple "new episode out now" post.
- Social analytics: You can connect your social platforms to Zencastr and see your analytics all in one place rather than having to go to each platform individually to check the numbers.
So the full flow is simple really: record, clip, share and see what works.
Zencastr vs Riverside: Which One Should a Beginner Pick?
Riverside has more recording settings and controls. Zencastr has a much simpler studio which is easier to get your head around. If you're just starting out and you want to record your very first episode without having to spend a huge amount of time learning, Zencastr is the way to go. If at a later stage you do find you need more controls then you can always go back and compare the two in detail at that point.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the call settings. Always check your mic, camera, resolution and echo cancellation before you press record.
- Recording without headphones (your guest's voice will echo right back into your mic).
- Don't close the browser too early. Once you've stopped recording, just wait until everyone's files have finished uploading before anyone closes their tab.
- Vague episode names. Give each session a proper name. A proper title will save you a world of searching later on.
Final Thoughts
That's the full Zencastr workflow for the absolute beginner: open the dashboard, create a new recording session, give your episode a name, select audio only or audio + video, allow browser permissions, check your call settings, invite your guest via email or link, record with the 3-2-1 countdown, then preview, download or clip your episode from the dashboard.
It's simple on purpose. And for a first podcast, simple is exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to install any software in order to use Zencastr?
No. Zencastr works in your browser. You and your guests just join via a link. There's no software to install.
Can I record audio only on Zencastr?
Yes. When you create a session you can opt for audio only rather than audio and video.
How do I invite a guest to Zencastr?
Type the guest's name and email into the studio and send them the invite. Alternatively you can copy the invite link and send it via any messaging app.
What happens once I've stopped recording on Zencastr?
Your episode appears on your dashboard. You can preview it, download it, archive it, edit it, rename it and turn sections of it into clips from there.
Is Zencastr any better than Riverside for a beginner?
For beginners, Zencastr is usually easier to learn because it has fewer settings. Riverside has more advanced controls, which may matter more once you have some experience.
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