Recording Interviews Remotely
These days many people are familiar and comfortable with Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. While we still prefer to interview people in person (for the human connection and the better quality sound) there are many advantages to remote interviewing—namely it allows us to more easily reach people from a much wider geographic range. We created this guide to help you find ways to record your interviews remotely.
There are an almost overwhelming number of different ways to record an interview remotely via phone or computer. To help narrow it down we’ve explored a few options for smartphones and the web that can help. We focused on tools you might already be using, but threw in some others that might be totally new to you.
TIPS FOR VIDEO CONFERENCE PLATFORMS
Illustration by Eliza West
➣ Zoom, WebEx, Skype and other video platforms: If you are already using a video conferencing platform like Zoom to keep in touch with family and friends, then one of the easiest things to do is record your calls using them. Here are links to some how-to guides:
TIPS FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE
➣ iPhone: There are plenty of free and paid apps for call recording on iPhone, here are two:
Rev Call Recorder: Rev is an online transcription service, and their app allows call recording for free.
You can use the recording features without having to pay for a transcript.
The app works by setting up a three-way call, so you have to merge in the recording line with the line of the person you’re calling. The app walks you through the steps. It took us a few tries to get it but it DOES work and seems to be the best free option out there.
Available in the App Store: Rev Call Recorder.
Tape A Call Pro: A paid phone recording app widely used by journalists.
Free version (Tape a Call Lite) is limited. Paid version is based on monthly or yearly subscriptions. Free 7 day trial.
Available in the App Store: Tape A Call Pro.
Google Voice: You can also record calls using the free Google Voice app.
It requires that you have a Google account.
It can only record incoming calls made to your specific Google Voice number. Just press ‘4’ to start recording.
Available in the App Store: Google Voice.
You can also set up your account from a computer. Directions here.
➣ Android: As with iPhone, there are several different ways to record calls on Android phones.
Google Voice: The most widely used option for Android users to record phone calls seems to be Google Voice, a free app.
Details here: Record Calls on Android using Google Voice.
It requires that you have a Google account.
It can only record incoming calls made to your specific Google Voice number. Just press ‘4’ to start recording.
Available in the Google Play Store: Google Voice.
You can also set up your account from a computer. Directions here.
Other options: there are a few other apps on the Android platform that also do the trick such as Automatic Call Recorder Pro or ACR. We found this article to be helpful in outlining the options—and the article also includes a great overview of recording using Google Voice.
TIPS FOR WEB-BASED AUDIO PLATFORMS
➣ Zencastr
Zencastr is a web-based, audio-only recording system that we find very easy to use. This would be a good choice if you are more comfortable using a laptop/desktop computer rather than a smartphone. The free version of the software lets you record up to two people and limits you to 8 hours of recording per month. Things to know:
You’ll need to sign up for an account. Once you’ve made your account you can send invitations to whomever you’d like to record.
Recording will work best if all parties are in a quiet space, preferably wearing headphones with a built in microphone (although this is not necessary).
It works best in Chrome or Firefox. Firefox users will need to switch to “Standard Browser Privacy” (change in settings under Privacy and Security) and not use Private Browsing Mode in order for it to work.