Riverside.fm: Why Nina Records Every Interview & Podcast Episode With It

If you're running a podcast, doing artist interviews, or streaming conversations for your radio station, you need Riverside.fm. Period. Nina uses it for every single remote interview on In Da Streets Radio because it solves the number one problem with Zoom or Instagram Live recordings: crappy, compressed audio that sounds like it was recorded in a tin can.

Here's how Riverside works: instead of recording the call itself (which compresses everything), it records high-quality video and audio locally on each participant's computer or phone. Once the session ends, those files upload to Riverside's cloud. You download separate tracks for each speaker in 48kHz WAV or 1080p video. That means you can edit each person independently in your DAW or video editor later. No more fighting with one muddy stereo file.

Nina's actual workflow: She books guests through a Riverside link (no downloads required for guests), records the conversation, then downloads the separate audio tracks into Logic Pro X. She edits out the ums, levels the volumes, adds her intro music, and exports for broadcast or YouTube. The video version goes straight to her YouTube channel with minimal color correction in DaVinci Resolve. Total time: maybe 45 minutes of post-production for a one-hour interview.

Cost breakdown: Riverside has a free tier that gives you up to 2 hours of recording per month and 720p video. That's enough to test it or do one monthly interview series. The Standard plan is $19/month (billed annually) and bumps you to 15 hours, 1080p video, and lets you record up to 8 people at once. The Pro plan ($29/month annual) adds 4K video and transcriptions. Nina runs on Standard because she rarely needs 4K and can transcribe separately with Descript if needed.

Three mistakes beginners make with Riverside: First, they don't do a test run with their guest. Always send the link 10 minutes early and have them join to check audio levels and camera angles. Second, they forget to tell guests to use wired headphones or earbuds. Bluetooth headphones can cause sync issues or dropouts. Third, they don't download the tracks immediately after recording. Riverside keeps your files for 7 days on the free plan, 30 days on Standard. If you wait too long, they're gone.

Pro tip: Riverside has a built-in editor now called Magic Editor that uses AI to cut out filler words, awkward pauses, and even lets you edit the transcript like a Word doc to cut the video. Nina doesn't use it much because she likes full control in Logic, but if you're starting out and intimidated by editing software, this feature is a lifesaver. You can publish directly from Riverside to YouTube or download a polished MP4.

Alternatives to consider: Squadcast is similar but more podcast-focused and slightly cheaper. Zencastr is another option with a generous free tier but fewer video features. StreamYard is great for live streaming but doesn't give you separate high-quality tracks after the fact. For Nina's needs—recorded interviews with broadcast-quality audio—Riverside wins every time.

Bottom line: If you're serious about remote content that doesn't sound like amateur hour, spend the $19/month on Riverside Standard or start with the free tier to test it. Your audience will hear the difference immediately, and you'll stop apologizing for bad audio quality. That's half the battle in building a loyal listener base.

Drop a comment or DM Nina at ninacapone.com if you want a breakdown on how to edit those Riverside tracks in Logic, Audacity, or GarageBand next.