Descript vs Riverside: Podcast Editing Software Showdown

[@ramise5932]

Thanks a bit more thinking for me after this.

[@PreCodeCamp]

Thanks you made my decision solid for descript! We have been applying this to our shorts and eye contact works great too.

[@bambymedia]

The eye contact is scary good isn't it!

[@nicholasaguirre2558]

19:18 As I stated in my previous comment, you don't understand Riverside enough to be making this comparison video. I don't think you are doing this as an attack on Riverside or anything but for example, you can indeed click the Expand Tracks button to the left of the Zoom buttons and it will open up the different channels for editing. You can select the individual audio channels and mute them wherever you would like. You drag drag on the timeline and mute just that audio channel. Not deleting it but just muting it. You don't have to split it or do any extra stuff, you just select the bit you want to mute and then click the mute button on the top left of the timeline. So I see no difference it the two platforms in this respect. You can't do anything more, nothing like modifying the EQ or the levels for that section but for comparison, the ability to mute channels, which is what you are doing here, is possible in Riverside. You would have known that with a bit of time spent in their editor.

[@bambymedia]

Hey there! You can indeed do that now. They just announced about 2 weeks ago that you could now separate the tracks to individually mute. At the time this video was recorded, you didn't have that function available. I know the Riverside team well and they're a great bunch of people and have actually had their head of community on our podcast! They're dedicated to their users for sure. I plan on recording an updated comparison side-by-side video in a couple of months once Riverside incorporates a few more tools into their editing suite that might make it more appealing. I was SO glad that they announced the separate tracks to at least mute though. As you mentioned - still not a great tool yet though hey! Thanks for the comments! Appreciate it!

[@nicholasaguirre2558]

6:10 I think you just haven't had enough time using the tool. I'm not saying that Riverside is a great tool, but you can most definitely click on your audio and then select a bit of the audio and mute it. If you delete it then you're going to delete both parts of the conversation cuz you're deleting something from the timeline. You can indeed mute yourself during conversations. You can even click on the deleted or muted section and adjust the exact placement. You're not going to get in and be able to equalize a specific part of the audio or something like that. But if you're trying to mute yourself or mute your guest because you both are talking at the same time that is entirely possible. You just click the button next to the zoom in on the right to separate the channels, select the part of the audio that you want to mute, and then mute it. It. Not delete but mute it. And if you happen to be talking during that time, you could always set a scene where your guest is the only one on screen so that someone can't see you talking while nothing is coming out of your mouth. I don't mean to be rude, but it does seem like you really haven't used Riverside all that much before making this video. Again, I'm not implying that it's a great tool, but if you are doing a side-by-side comparison, I feel like you should know the products better.

[@michaelmarcano9200]

Exactly the video I need today! I have been going back and forth in my head about these two so I can finally start my podcast! Can't wait to the end to see what you guys say about which is the better option!

[@bambymedia]

Oh yay! Glad to help you make the decision. Which one did you end up going with? I'd be eager to know whether I've convinced you either way!

[@michaelmarcano9200]

@@bambymedia As much as Descript was my first choice after looking at your review, two things swayed me the other way. One was the speed of editing. I'm a done is better than perfect person otherwise I'll still keep saying i'm going to start creating and never get to it. If after a year I really need the extra customization with editing I'll definitely go to Descript if Riverside doesn't keep trying to match their feature set. The other thing that really sealed the deal was the offer Riverside had on their pricing. I got riverside for an incredible price while Descript had a small discount. It's been a tough financial year so I'll take the savings.

[@PhraSEOlogyAI]

Great recap! Thanks :)

[@jimajames]

Yes you’re right about the bugs…

[@jimajames]

Cut and paste function in Descript is really powerful too

[@nicolefonarow]

Hi Brianna.. one more question. How do you feel about recording the video on Descript and then edit on Descript? We are still rehearsing our pod and I played with Riverside and it was so clunky and just as you described. Want to focus on the audio part of our podcast but have the video options available. Any more thoughts? Your guidance has been so helpful.

[@bambymedia]

Hey! The video recording capabilities within Descript are still in Beta mode - it's called "Rooms". I wouldn't rely on that being any good at this stage. If you're just recording yourself, Descript can handle that pretty well with their video, but as soon as it's virtual with others, it's not great yet. Are you planning on recording virtually with others? I can make a few other recommendations if I know a little bit more about what you're planning. Could be worth booking a "How to Get Started" consult if you want to get a detailed response based on how you're planning on recording! That consult is down the bottom of our consult page: www.bambymedia.com/consultations

[@nicolefonarow]

@@bambymedia Thank you! My co-host and I are in different locations. I so appreciate this helpful information. I will get back to you about a consult. Thanks again!

[@SquirrelDreaming]

That means I am 3rd... and I as hoping you were going to say Riverside, since it kinda seems easy. But then now I'm looking at Descent because you made a great case - I'm conflicted 😅

[@bambymedia]

Descript is definitely a bit more to figure out how to use, but if you're looking for more customisation - it's got to be the winner!

[@jimajames]

V timely. No two tracks…that’s a deal breaker for me too with Riverside. Descript now has Rooms…it’s the lack of functionality that is making Riverside frustrating for me.

[@bambymedia]

Agreed! Riverside did just announce multi-track editing. I'm yet to try it out, but from what I've seen so far it's still not quite there yet to be useful. Descript has a lot more power.

[@jimajames]

@ dream would be if Descript could hire the riverside UI designer….but Riverside also has live streaming which Descript doesn’t have. One option is to record in Riverside then export and direct to descript r then edit …I’m praying for the ultimate solution in 2025…

[@jimajames]

@ @riversidefm just raised $30m….that’s a lot of features coming …

[@henrymichael04]

Riverside has so many issues with it's recording, audio syncing, and other bugs. Explore other options.

[@mso1758]

Am I 2nd?

[@bambymedia]

You are 2nd.

[@SquirrelDreaming]

If youre not first, youre last!

[@SamandSteve]

Remote record with Riverside , AI edit with Descript

[@bambymedia]

Yep! Makes the most sense to me too.