Podcasters Buried by Video Production
Content creators are finding that adding video to their podcasts introduces significant complexity and workflow inefficiencies. They grapple with technical setup, quality concerns, and the duplicated effort of managing both audio and video production pipelines, leading to increased time investment and frustration. Many are seeking streamlined solutions and best practices.
SOURCES (60)
“the real strength of something like Riverside has always been its ability to record separate, high-quality local tracks. So I can actually edit them. That's not their strength anymore because they encourage their users to use the built-in AI tools for editing, and lots of…”
“The app itself doesn’t significantly alter the audio quality when streaming the same podcast. I personally prefer using Apple Podcasts or Overcast. If you’re seeking the clearest speech, consider podcasts that provide higher bitrate audio or enable the highest download quality in the app settings.”
“One cheap trick nobody mentioned: mute your mic by default and only unmute to talk, it forces you to check your setup before speaking and cuts down on background noise complaints instantly. Otherwise a decent dynamic mic plus a light facing you (not behind) will solve 90% of Zoom fatigue. Disclaimer: I'm part of the Riverside team, though this one's just general advice, not really our product's lane.”
“The audio quality is determined by the source of the podcast, not the app. The app merely plays what it’s given.”
“The Snowball is not a great mic. But given where you're at in your journey, I would start with it and keep it close to your mouth, while also using Adobe Podcast Enhance like the other commenter suggested. Don't overspend in hopes that you launch, and love running a podcast, and so on. Get going first, with what you have.”
“Greetings. I'm an older guy starting a YouTube channel which may branch out into a podcast. Definitely starting with YouTube. I have an old Snowball which works pretty well but am considering the Ride USB Podmic. I do not have a ton of cash, but have been told that for videos it's more enjoyable for listeners when there is a higher quality mic and sound. Easier on the ears, more enjoyable, better chance of sticking around. Does the Rode USB Podmic offer THAT much more of a superior sound”
“If you're sitting in meetings all day the single biggest upgrade is a dynamic mic and an interface. Condensers pick up every keyboard click and neighbor's dog but a dynamic mic really only grabs what's right in front of it. Don't sleep on lighting either, a cheap ring light or small panel aimed at a wall behind your monitor makes you look way more awake than the overhead ceiling fixture ever will.”
“Guessing podcasters know a lot about great audio, lighting and video…what can you advise on a great set up for being on Zoom meetings all the time? submitted by /u/SalvatoreTirabassi1 [link] [comments]”
“For long video podcasts, I would avoid starting with the timeline unless you already know the story. My preferred workflow is: generate a transcript first mark timestamps for strong moments send the editor a short doc with timestamp + why that moment matters only then cut the timeline The thing that usually breaks this is not "transcription exists or not" but bad names/terms and no useful export format. If you need the editor to jump around quickly, SRT or timestamped text is much more”
“Thanks for sharing your setup, that's exactly the kind of real-world workflow I'm interested in hearing about. It's interesting that separating the audio and video processing gave you a noticeable improvement. It sounds like keeping each device focused on what it does best ended up being more reliable than trying to have one box handle everything. Appreciate you taking the time to explain the evolution of your setup.”
“That's interesting. So it sounds like the Vocaster workflow already fits what you want, you've just outgrown the number of inputs rather than the interface itself. Out of curiosity, besides needing four mic inputs, is there anything else you'd change about that workflow?”
“When I first started, I was using a switcher (Roland VR-1HD) that processed video through 3 HDMI inputs, as well as audio through XLR inputs that were mapped to each camera. The idea was that the switcher would switch camera automatically depending on which person was speaking. It was a nice idea, but it was just too much signal for one device to process coherently, and there were issues. So I kept the switcher for the video and added the Rodecaster Pro 2 for dedicated audio. The output differen”
“Honestly, I wish Focusrite had a Vocaster Four. The Vocaster Two rocks. It is well designed, simple to use, and just works really well, but I can’t do in person interviews with my cohost.”
“Hi, I'm curious to hear from people with different podcasting setups. Whether you're using a USB mic, an audio interface, a mixer, a Rodecaster, a Zoom, or another setup: What's the most frustrating part of your audio workflow? What gear do you wish you didn't need? What takes more time than it should? If you could magically improve one thing about your setup, what would it be? I'm not looking for buying recommendations, I'm genuinely interested in understanding the pain”
“I’m recording for an audio only podcast. Guest is in Switzerland, I’m in US. Any suggestions for a methodology to connect other than a direct phone call? I know Zoom used to be a thing but curious what other people are using. thank you!!! submitted by /u/DrownH2O [link] [comments]”
“So attempting to say this quickly, I want to start recording gaming videos on my laptop. Although I’m not sure where to start with stuff like recording software, microphones, and so on. Any tips or recommendations to give to a newbie? submitted by /u/RainbowUnivrse [link] [comments]”
“I have a Hollyland Lark Max 2 and do a walk and talk podcast, it's easy and not so heavy.”
“Okay We are going for a hybrid setup: on video with two people (hosts) in the same room, and one person remote or joining us live in the room. Currently playing with OBS and 3 cameras for the physical setup 1 wide shot The other two - one on each of the hosts. For remote guests, we are considering Riverside. Currently using DaVinci Resolve for editing. So, host through Riverside or Captivate or somewhere else? Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you submitted by &”
“Ok, lot of things going on here. Unless you know post production color correction, your canon and iPhone shots will look different. This is where non linear editing will help. With audio synch, a clap will do when both mics and cameras are on.”
“I just need help to make sure I am understanding all the equipment set up. How would I best set this up for a 2 person podcast? How do I sync both canon and iPhone used for different camera views to riverside editing software? That’s syncs with the audio. Any help with set up would be much appreciated. My equipment: Rode pod mic x2 P4 zoom interface Audio technica headphones x2 Canon m50 - video iPhone-video submitted by /u/Emotional-Stress-595 [link] [comments]”
“I edit my long form video interview show. It's pretty straight forward as it's a conversation that's supposed to be presented as such. I mostly just cut some dead air, switch some camera angles from the live program, and add a few graphics here and there. I have a guy that does all the audio passes so I can't help with that.”
“So my Podcast Partner will also have a DJI mic to record. We want to call each other and record Our Audio separately and put them together after that. Problem is that the dictation app won't allow it because a call is active. Same problem if I start the call with Zoom or WhatsApp”
“Hey Guys. So i got a Samsung Device and a DJI Mic. I want to record and at the same time make a call with my Podcast Partner. I want to wear Galaxy Buds but use them just for hearing and not for the microphone. How can i make this work??? submitted by /u/kg_engineer_97 [link] [comments]”
“I’m the co-host of a small, but growing podcast (video and audio) that splits its focus between talk show/hangout and reaction content, and occasionally we have guests join us on the show. We’ve done co-branded give-aways at times if the guests ask, but generally we just invite people we think are interesting and want to talk to. A recent guest asked if they could license the raw footage of the video for promotional purposes, with approval of what edits/final cut they decide to go with. Neither”
“hey, I'm travelling/nomading and about to start a podcast, long format interview style via Zoom/Riverside or a comparable platform and would like to ask you guys about recommendations for my setup, especially about the microphone. My plan is to record myself with my smartphone with a software like Camo, which ensures good enough video quality and does not force me to carry another camera with me. My biggest concern is the microphone, as my luggage space is limited. Do you have any recommenda”
“DaVinci's a solid starting point for podcasting, especially since you're already comfy with it, just get your noise reduction, compression, and loudness targeting dialed in first.”
“I am an experienced Video Editor and I want to focus on Podcast Editing. I hope I can connect with someone willing to teach me! And what are the tips you can give. I mainly use Da Vinci Resolve. Thanks! submitted by /u/Agreeable_Echidna119 [link] [comments]”
“if you've got adobe suite already, audition can do multitrack recording locally. just need an interface that handles two mics and you're set. used it to record a live panel at a convention a couple years back, zero wifi needed don't even bother risking riverside when you know the connection's gonna be spotty”
“Hi All! I am a mostly new podcaster, I have been at it since February and use Riverside to record on my MacBook. My co-host and I have the opportunity to record at a convention. We are very excited for this but have already been told that the wifi is going to be iffy, and with the amount of guests they're also unsure about cell service (possibly taking away the choice for a hotspot from my phone). Does anyone have a recommendations on how to record two audio tracks with video offline? Rivers”
“Ha, thanks! I hope a different angle helps. You didn't say what about your voice is irking you. So, I threw that out there. My pod isn't about beekeeping, but how fun that would Bee”
“This tracks with what we hear from most podcasters. The actual recording is rarely the bottleneck, it's the 5-6 downstream tasks that all compete for the same few hours: pulling clips, writing captions, formatting for different platforms, show notes, timestamps. Most solo podcasters we talk to either eat the time themselves (usually late at night, batched on weekends) or hand it off to an editor on Upwork/Fiverr once they have some revenue coming in. The ones who hire out almost always say c”
“GarageBand works fine for this once you get the hang of it, the basic workflow is export your recording from Zencastr as a wav or mp3, drag it into a new GarageBand project, then add separate tracks for your intro and outro music underneath. The trick most people miss is fading the music out (or ducking its volume down) right as you start talking, instead of just cutting it off abruptly. GarageBand has a volume automation curve on each track that lets you draw that fade in manually, that's t”
“I do podcasts like this professionally. You don't need the same mic. It's ok if they don't even have one at all for the first (few) episode(s). Just START FILMING. I use Riverside for stuff like this. You can use it for free. Once you start and then start liking it, see how much you want to invest IF you want to invest. Sound quality is more important than video. So start with that.”
“Hi all, I’m trying to build a simple workflow for turning video podcasts into short-form clips. Right now, the workflow I’m thinking about is: finish the full episode edit, upload the final video to Vizard, let it generate clip candidates, then check the transcript, framing, and captions before exporting vertical versions for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts. My question is: Should I pick the clips worth editing first, then apply saved templates afterward? Or should I set up the layout and caption styl”
“On the intro, I agree with what others here are saying about length, and I've got receipts. We opened with our theme song for years, about 15 seconds, totally fine when we were audio only. Then we put the show on YouTube and I watched retention drop right there in the intro, people leaving before the episode even started. I cut it down to a 1.5 second chime, just a piano stab from the theme over our background color with the logo easing forward, then straight into it. Sometimes I'll cold”
“Hello! This is my first time creating a podcast, and am struggling with editing in intro and outro music (royalty free). I’m wondering if anyone can provide help. I’ve recorded my podcast on zencastr, but have heard that people add in music through other programs such as garage band. I’ve tried to figure it out and can’t! Any help, tips, helpful how to videos, etc would be helpful. Thanks so much! submitted by /u/kalolainastar [link] [comments]”
“Recording is the easy part. But everything after — show notes, timestamps, short clips, social posts — seems to eat a massive amount of time for most podcasters I talk to. What does your actual post-production workflow look like? Do you do it yourself, hire someone, or use tools? And what's the one thing you'd kill to never do again? (I'm building something in this space and want to understand the real pain before I ship the wrong thing. Honest answers only — even "it's fine”
“Recording is the easy part. But everything after — show notes, timestamps, short clips, social posts — seems to eat a massive amount of time for most podcasters I talk to. What does your actual post-production workflow look like? Do you do it yourself, hire someone, or use tools? And what's the one thing you'd kill to never do again? (I'm building something in this space and want to understand the real pain before I ship the wrong thing. Honest answers only — even "it's fine”
“I would storyboard it first instead of burning credits experimenting. Generate 5-8 short clips, then stitch them together in your editor of choice. You'll usually get a much better intro than trying to generate one full AI video. Also, are you using any clipping tools or is this all being edited manually?”
“You're basically asking for free footage to build a career off of and offering nothing in return. At least throw in a free edit they can actually use, not just a portfolio piece that only benefits you. Creators get these requests constantly and it's a bit tone deaf to not see why someone would be hesitant.”
“I saw this when I was searching for video alternatives. How do you like it? I’ve been using another self hosted podcast system called Castapod. It’s great, but it doesn’t do video.”
“Was saving the other questions for another post lol but here you go: - want to do Vox style reels and short videos which makes visualization easier for the audience. Pondering whether to hire editors on fiverr or spend time looking for video editors who specialize in that. How do the costs compare? - What kind of segments work best for podcasts centered around politics to make the show/reels go viral? - are two Canon EOS R50 V cameras sufficient for the initial set up? - want one to be focused o”
“Despite how stupid using AI is, if you're aren't already established, an intro is going to kill retention. You don't need it, just start with a short 5-10 second hook from later in the episode”
“Hi again! I recently posted about reviving our podcast and we have recorded successfully in Descript (will update original post when I have completed editing). This is the first time we have ever had video involved. Probably won't be a regular thing but who knows. Our audio intro is about 38 seconds long and I'd really like to create a video to mash up with that. Can anyone give me ideas where to go to generate this? Obviously I've started with Descript and Underlord, but I don't”
Here's the way I do it: I use Podbean for my hosting. They have an option where they will distribute your video podcasts via RSS. So then all of the major podcast…
We are using DJI Mic Mini and an Iphone. I think its fine to start
“Very helpful! Thanks so much! Why does each guest need headphones? Is is so they can hear everyone? If I'm the only one editing would having everyone just have a microphone work?”
“if accuracy matters more than speed, i’d look at Whisper locally. it’s free and usually better than the free web tools, just takes a bit of setup. by the way, if you’re still choosing where to record/edit, riverside’s built-in transcription is pretty solid for 2-speaker interviews and saves you from moving files around. but for pure $0 transcription, Whisper is probably your best bet.”
“yeah this is an old post but still relevant lol. canva works but if you want something quicker without messing with templates yourself, i used riverside thumbnail generator for my podcast cover and it was free and pretty painless, just typed in what the show was about and it spit out a bunch of options to tweak.”
“For three people in the same room, my basic shopping list would be: a standalone recorder or USB interface with four XLR inputs (one spare is useful) and the ability to record each input to a separate track three cardioid dynamic XLR microphones three proper boom/desk stands and XLR cables three closed-back headphones; add a small headphone amplifier if the recorder does not provide three independent headphone outputs an SD card if you use a recorder Keep each mic roughly 5–10 cm from the speake”
“True, I need more soft materials to absorb sound. Do you have a sample setup you recommended?”
“Do you have a sample setup you would recommend? The 3 XLR inputs sound like a great idea.”
“this kit is pretty expensive imo. i guess you have a laptop and a smartphone - then you need only an audio interface for 2 persons and 2 xlr cables and 2 xlr mics. thats it. you already have a camera (your smartphone). lets say you want a dedicated camera. an osmo pocket 3 costs about 300. you could buy a mixer instead of an audio interface, but a mixer isnt making anything a DAW (digital audio workstation = software like pro tools, hindenburg, reaper, logic pro etc) cant do (with the exception”
“Kits can look great for getting started fast, but they often come with hidden tradeoffs around vendor lock-in or limited upgrade paths. It's tough to swap out a single mic if it's proprietary, for instance, and you might pay a premium for that convenience.”