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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Recording a Remote Podcast (And How We Fixed Them)

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Remote podcasting has never been easier—but only if you do it right. Over the past four years, we’ve helped businesses, brands, and content creators record studio-quality remote podcasts using the right tools, techniques, and equipment.

But before we got it right, we made plenty of mistakes—poor audio, lagging video, and connection issues that ruined great conversations. We’ve tested every possible setup, and through trial and error, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t.

If you’re struggling with remote podcasting, here are the five biggest mistakes we made—and how you can avoid them.

1. Recording in a Noisy Area

One of the biggest rookie mistakes we made was not prioritizing the recording environment. Background noise—whether it’s an air conditioner, street sounds, or a co-host typing—can distract listeners and ruin audio quality.

How to Fix It:

  • Choose a quiet space. Avoid open areas and rooms with echo.
  • Use soundproofing. If possible, add acoustic panels, rugs, or foam to absorb noise.
  • Invest in a dynamic microphone. These mics pick up only your voice and reduce background noise.

If you’re recording remotely, Riverside.fm allows each participant’s audio to be recorded locally, so even if their internet connection is unstable, the recording quality isn’t affected.

2. Not Using a Wired Ethernet Connection

We learned this one the hard way. Wi-Fi is unreliable. Even with the best connection, latency and dropped audio are common, especially when recording video.

How to Fix It:

  • Use an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is always more stable than Wi-Fi.
  • Close unnecessary programs. Free up bandwidth by closing apps that use the internet.
  • Record locally. Riverside.fm records locally before uploading, preventing glitches.

If you must use Wi-Fi, sit as close to the router as possible and use a 5GHz network instead of 2.4GHz.

3. Not Using a Quality Camera

For video podcasts, your camera matters. We started with webcams, but quickly realized they look grainy and unprofessional. If you want a podcast that engages your audience visually, invest in a proper camera setup.

How to Fix It:

  • Upgrade from a webcam. We use Sony cameras connected to Mac laptops for high-quality video.
  • Improve lighting. Good lighting matters as much as your camera. Use a ring light or softbox for better results.
  • Use Riverside.fm for 4K recording. It captures high-quality video directly from your device without compression.

The difference between a low-quality video and a professional one often comes down to camera choice. If you’re investing in podcasting, don’t settle for a webcam.

4. Not Wearing Headphones

Not wearing headphones was one of the easiest mistakes to fix, but it caused a lot of audio problems before we figured it out. Without headphones, your microphone picks up feedback and echoes from your speakers, leading to poor audio quality.

How to Fix It:

  • Always wear headphones. Even simple earbuds prevent audio bleed.
  • Use over-ear, closed-back headphones. These reduce background noise and help you monitor audio better.
  • Check your audio levels. Riverside.fm allows you to adjust input settings before recording.

Wearing headphones eliminates distractions and ensures that your recording is clean from the start.

5. Not Using the Right Software

We’ve tried every recording platform out there—Zoom, Skype, Google Meet—but they all compress audio and video, reducing quality. We needed a platform that recorded studio-grade audio and video, even for remote guests. That’s when we switched to Riverside.fm.

Why Riverside.fm Works Best for Remote Podcasting:

  • Records locally for each guest. No lag, no compression, no lost audio.
  • 4K video recording. Even if your internet connection drops, the recording remains high quality.
  • Easy guest experience. No downloads required—just send a link, and guests can join from any browser.

If you already have a Riverside.fm account, recording at our studio is even more seamless. No need to wait for file transfers—we can record directly into your account, making collaboration effortless.

Our Remote Podcasting Setup

At Hello Studios, we’ve refined our remote and hybrid podcasting process using the best equipment and software available.

Here’s our current setup:

  • Microphones: Shure mics connected to a Rodecaster or Mackie DLZ mixer for high-quality sound.
  • Cameras: Sony cameras connected to Mac laptops for crisp video quality.
  • Software: Riverside.fm for seamless remote recordings.
  • On-Site Support: Need a high-quality podcast setup at your office or event? We bring the same studio-grade equipment to you.

Ready to Elevate Your Remote Podcast?

We’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. If you’re tired of dealing with low-quality recordings, lag, or poor audio, it’s time to upgrade.

Start recording high-quality remote podcasts today with Riverside.fm:
https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=hellostudios

If you need help setting up your remote or hybrid podcast, let’s talk. We’re here to make sure your podcast sounds and looks as professional as your message.

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