The 5 Best FREE Podcast Recording Software (2023)

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Choosing the right software is key in making sure that you can effortlessly record crystal-clear audio. Finding a piece of software that does all of this doesn’t have to be hard. Or expensive. Watch this video for my curated list of the best free podcast recording software that covers all of these bases.
Some podcast recording software also includes editing functions, so you can edit the podcast within the app. These normally record the audio directly to your device. They’re perfect for solo podcasters and those wanting to edit their own podcasts. Others, allow you to record a call over the internet and save the audio to your device. These are ideal for those with remote guests who just want to easily record. Whichever your preference, this video has you covered!
Free Audacity Course - • Audacity Complete Cour...
Audacity - www.audacityteam.org/
GarageBand - www.apple.com/uk/ios/garageband/
Reaper - www.reaper.fm/
Zoom - zoom.us/
Zencastr no longer has a free tier. I now recommend Riverside, an alternative with a free tier - claricast.com/riverside *. Click the link and use coupon code CLARICAST for 15% off your first order.
Intro - 0:00
1. Audacity Overview - 0:58
Audacity Pros & Cons - 1:25
2. GarageBand Overview - 2:28
GarageBand Pros & Cons - 2:54
3. Reaper Overview - 3:23
Reaper Pros & Cons - 4:00
Bonus - 4:53
4. Zoom Overview - 5:22
Zoom Pros & Cons - 6:21
5. Zencastr Overview - 7:21
Zencastr Pros & Cons - 8:17
Conclusion - 8:48
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Visit www.joecrowtheaudiopro.com/ for more audio production tips & guides.
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Captivate (my favourite podcast host)* - www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=y...
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[@JoeAtClaricast]

Zencastr has unfortunately removed their free option now! Another alternative would be Riverside. Riverside's free option allows you to record unlimited single (combined) track recordings, but the video is watermarked on the free option.

[@petenojd]

Hey Joe, thanks very much for this video. I recently stopped using Zencastr after they took away the free option. I liked it because I record remotely with a co-host and it recorded 2 audio files which made editing a lot easier. Which one would you recommend I use instead?

[@randyhaveson6329]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@malcolmnyiajthojvwj1126]

I really the information you provided. I didn't know what to get as I am want to start doing podcast for the first time so after seeing your info I now have a better understand;

[@rollinmorris2684]

Thanks for the tip on the software's that can be used for podcasting

[@the_inner_oracle_333]

Downloaded Audacity and now going to download your ebook for better direction. Thank you 🙏

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Nice one, I hope it's helpful to you 🙂

[@paulvoss01]

Many thanks

[@Fmr141-l7b]

Making KZbin Videos and i use davinci resolve and som times i only need the voice so this was very helpful

[@manofurdreams1]

Hi Joe, Thanks for the video, it was very informative. What are the minimum must have equipments/tools do you recommend for new podcast starters including free video editing software? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi there! Glad it helped. It depends what kind of podcast you're recording, i.e. solo, interview etc. At the bare minimum you'll need a mic, a computer and one of these softwares. The Podcast Kickstart eBook I wrote answers this in a lot more detail, though. You can grab it at www.claricast.com/kickstart.

[@manofurdreams1]

I am planning to invite guests for interviews both in person and on-line. Thanks, appreciate it!

[@NewYorkerPEACE]

excellent breakdown and review

[@gisellequijote7037]

Hi Joe how about if I have 2 mic to be plug in into usb laptop then 2 video recorder... what software should I install if we are having a podcast?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hey there, unfortunately it's a bit tricky to plug in two USB mics. This is because a USB mic has everything built in and uses it's own driver. Some USB mics might support this, but generally you'd probably need to use VoiceMeeter to route the two mics into one virtual input. Which is a hassle, and both mics would be recording to a single channel. For two speakers, you'd be better off getting an audio interface with two inputs, like a Focusrite 2i2, and two XLR-connected microphones. Just my personal opinion, and I appreciate that there's more cost involved. Or, if you both have a laptop you could record separately with Audacity or similar software and copy one of them over.

[@mrka_]

I bought an 2i2 and Rode Podmic. The output recording volume level is low even turning the amp to the max gain

[@davidaikswemin3027]

Wow thank you GOD BLESS

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help!

[@user-cx1dr7br3c]

Is the app easy voice recorder a good one? Thanks in advance

[@JoeAtClaricast]

I have easy voice recorder pro on Android. It's good because you can pause during recording and save in high quality. I wouldn't recommend using your phone microphone long term though. You can potentially get a USB mic to plug in though if you want to use your phone.

[@Jo-sk4gj]

Which audio software is compatible with chromebook?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Online ones such as Riverside will be. Perhaps ones that work with Linux such as Audacity - but I'm not completely sure when it comes to Chomebooks.

[@FabishmarksPodcast]

what are you using to record this?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Samsung Galaxy to film (S8 I think at the time), Shure SM57 mic and OBS to record the screen.

[@balhazer]

he was referring to the software to capture & editing!​@@JoeAtClaricast

[@khaledkhaled-if2sp]

hi Joe, how can i change someone's voice on audacity? so no one knows who is talking

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi there, there are a few effects that Audacity has that would help with this. If you highlight the audio and open the effects menu, then you could try the following - Change Pitch (make the voice deeper), Change Speed, Distortion > Medium Overdrive. This would change the voice significantly for casual/entertainment purposes. Bear in mind that someone could revert this and the voice may be identifiable again.

[@daBlackCLUB]

Zencastr.

[@thanasisathanasi4965]

GarageBand does not side-chain or audio ducking. It has serious limitations. Audacity's live effects are pain in the ass. Almost no VST plugin will work with it.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

There are definitely limitations, but for most podcasters with a low budget, these will do the job. Cakewalk is another free option that is quite feature-rich.

[@thanasisathanasi4965]

@@JoeAtClaricast ... and I have just discovered another free option which is probably the best of all. Its called "Davinci Resolve". It may sound like a video editor but it has a section called "Fairlight" which is a powerful audio editor.

[@ChicagoDispatcher]

Zencaster isn't free apparently..

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Ahh yeah they've stopped the free option since I made this video. I'll have to look for an alternative online option with a free tier.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Riverside is a similar service and now offers a free tier.

[@KnowingGodExplorers]

Please update..these are all old

[@JoeAtClaricast]

I now recommend Riverside instead of Zencastr because Zencastr no longer has a free tier. All of the other ones are still great options, though. I will put together a 2024 version at some point anyway 🙂

[@alexisfry18]

@@JoeAtClaricastId love an updated one as well I have a podcast and did 16episodes with Riverside and now it won’t work for us. It won’t even let us buy the version. This is something I’ve seen over many podcasts. So what is the best place to record. Or do we need different microphones? We have usb and usually record on riverside. But it is not working anymore. 😩

[@letsgetto1millwithoutvids]

audacity is good but terrible for podcasts as you cant record from multiple inputs at the same time

[@JoeAtClaricast]

You can record to two tracks if you have an audio interface with two inputs and record to a stereo track, which you can then split after, as per this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/epjSZId_o7Fmm68 Of course if you have a solo podcast or are recording remotely then this won't be necessary.

[@Ifearnoman131]

Omg! You like to hear yourself talk? Mannn just get to it!

[@imminenthope8970]

get to the point