Ever tried recording a podcast or video interview online only to end up with choppy audio, frozen video, or unusable content?
Recording quality can make the difference between growing an audience and losing listeners. When internet hiccups ruin your guest interview or poor audio drives listeners away, you need a better solution.
Riverside.fm solves these common recording problems with a unique approach to remote content creation. This tool records each participant locally on their own device before uploading the files to the cloud. This means crystal-clear audio and video—even if someone’s internet drops during recording.
Ready to discover how this platform can transform your content production? Here are four key benefits you’ll learn about:
- How local recording technology ensures professional quality every time
- Why text-based editing saves hours in post-production
- How to create platform-specific content with one recording
- Which AI tools can transform amateur recordings into polished productions
Let’s examine what makes Riverside.fm the preferred choice for podcasters, video creators, and content, and brand marketing teams in 2025.
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What is Riverside.fm?
Riverside.fm is a high-definition recording platform that captures separate audio and video tracks locally for each participant. This approach addresses the common problems of unstable internet connections and quality issues found in standard video call recordings.
Source: Riverside
The platform targets:
- Podcast creators looking for professional audio quality
- Video content producers who need reliable multi-track recording
- Marketers seeking testimonial video services for authentic customer stories
- Businesses conducting webinars and virtual events
- Educators developing learning materials with clear visuals and audio
- Media professionals requiring separate tracks for post-production
Riverside’s key capabilities include:
- Local recording up to 4K video and 48kHz audio
- Separate audio and video tracks for each participant
- AI-powered editing features that simplify post-production
- Live streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously
- Advanced transcription with over 100 languages
- Magic Clips for quick short form video and social media content generation
- Intuitive text-based editing similar to working in a document
Main use cases for the platform:
- Creating professional podcasts with remote guests
- Recording high-quality video interviews
- Hosting and recording webinars
- Creating promotional video content
- Developing educational recordings and presentations
- Repurposing webinars and other long-form content into social media clips
Complete Guide to Riverside.fm's AI Features
Riverside has integrated AI throughout the platform to simplify complex tasks and improve content quality. Here’s a detailed breakdown of all the AI capabilities available:
1. AI Transcription
Riverside’s AI transcription automatically converts speech to text in over 100 languages with remarkable accuracy. This feature:
- Creates searchable text from your recordings
- Identifies different speakers and labels them in the transcript
- Enables text-based editing (the foundation of Riverside’s editing approach)
- Allows for easy content repurposing into blog posts or articles
- Makes your content more accessible and searchable
Source: Riverside
The transcription begins processing as soon as your recording ends and typically completes within minutes, making your content immediately editable.
2. AI Show Notes
Creating comprehensive show notes can be time-consuming. Riverside’s AI Show Notes feature automatically generates:
- Episode summaries highlighting key points discussed
- Suggested titles for your episode
- Timestamped chapter markers for easy navigation
- Key takeaways from the conversation
- Potential soundbites for promotional video production
- Relevant keywords for SEO optimization
Source: Riverside
These AI-generated show notes provide a strong starting point that you can refine rather than creating from scratch. They save significant time in your post-production checklist and overall workflow.
3. Magic Audio
The Magic Audio feature uses AI to enhance audio quality by:
- Reducing background noise (air conditioners, fans, traffic)
- Minimizing room echo and reverb
- Balancing volume levels between different speakers
- Enhancing vocal clarity without affecting tone
- Creating a more consistent sound throughout your recording
Source: Riverside
This feature is particularly helpful for recordings made in non-studio environments, giving them a more professional sound with a single click.
4. AI Voice
Riverside’s AI Voice technology creates a synthetic version of your voice that can be used to:
- Generate intros and outros without re-recording
- Fix verbal mistakes or flubbed lines
- Create sponsor reads or advertisements
- Add narration to sections of your content
- Fill in missing sections without scheduling another recording session
Source: Riverside
The system learns your voice patterns from a short sample of your speech, then allows you to type text that will be spoken in your voice. When combined with VideoDub, this creates seamless video corrections as well.
5. VideoDub
This advanced AI feature synchronizes artificially generated speech with video footage by:
- Matching lip movements to corrected audio
- Creating natural-looking video corrections
- Fixing verbal mistakes without visible editing jumps
- Allowing content audits and modifications long after the original recording
- Maintaining visual continuity throughout edits
Introducing VideoDub 🤯
— Riverside.FM (@RiversidedotFM) June 3, 2024
No more endless retakes, rerecords, and corrections.
Correct your transcript, and VideoDub uses AI to make it look and sound like that’s what you said in the first place.
Watch the video. See it in action. pic.twitter.com/wtVE6CuaZA
VideoDub represents a significant advancement in video editing technology, making corrections virtually undetectable to viewers.
6. Smart Scenes
The Smart Scenes feature uses AI to handle dynamic video layouts by:
- Identifying the active speaker through speech analysis and visual cues
- Automatically switching focus between participants
- Creating smooth transitions between different camera views
- Maintaining visual interest throughout longer recordings
- Producing a professionally directed appearance automatically
Source: YouTube
This feature essentially acts as an AI director for your video content, creating a more engaging visual experience without manual editing.
7. Magic Clips
Magic Clips uses AI to identify the most engaging segments of your content and:
- Automatically creates vertical (9:16) clips optimal for platforms like TikTok and Instagram
- Extracts meaningful, self-contained segments that work as standalone content
- Applies appropriate captions and visual styling
- Identifies natural breakpoints in conversation
- Generates multiple clip options from a single recording
Source: Riverside
These clips can be used immediately or further customized before sharing to social platforms.
8. Find Fluff
The Find Fluff feature scans your content to identify:
- Redundant takes or repeated information
- Off-topic conversations
- Technical discussions about the recording itself
- Lengthy silences or pauses
- Pre-recording chatter
Source: Riverside
With a single click, you can remove these sections while preserving the valuable content, creating a tighter, more engaging final product.
9. AI Chapters
Riverside automatically analyzes your content to:
- Identify topic changes throughout the conversation
- Create logically named chapter markers
- Generate a navigable table of contents
- Provide timestamps for key discussion points
- Improve user experience for longer content
Source: Riverside
These AI-generated chapters make your content more accessible and user-friendly, allowing listeners or viewers to jump to sections of interest.
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How to use Riverside.fm for Podcast Recording?
Step 1: Set Up Your Recording Environment
Before starting your recording, ensure you have:
- Connected a quality microphone (USB mics like the Rode NT-USB or Shure MV7 work well with Riverside)
- Plugged in wired headphones to prevent audio feedback
- Closed unnecessary applications on your computer
- Set up proper lighting (facing you, not behind you)
- Positioned your camera at eye level
Step 2: Create a New Studio in Riverside
Start by logging into your Riverside account and clicking the “+” button to create a new studio. Name your studio (typically your podcast name) and select “Audio and Video” recording options.
This studio will be reused for all episodes of your podcast, so you only need to set it up once. Each recording session will create a new “project” within your studio.
Step 3: Invite Your Guests
Click “Record” to enter the studio lobby, then “Invite” to get a guest link. Share this link with your podcast guests—they can join through a browser without downloading any software.
The guest link remains the same for all episodes, making it easy to include recurring guests or co-hosts. Guests can join from their computer or using the Riverside mobile app.
Step 4: Join the Studio and Check Settings
In the lobby screen, select your microphone, camera, and headphones. Use the preview to check your camera framing and lighting. Once ready, click “Join Studio.”
When guests join, they’ll appear in the studio interface. Take a moment to ensure everyone can hear each other and their video feeds look good before starting the recording.
Step 5: Start Recording
Click the “Record” button at the bottom of the screen. A 5-second countdown will appear, and then Riverside begins capturing high-quality audio and video locally on each participant’s device.
During recording, you’ll see a live upload progress indicator at the top of the screen showing how much of each participant’s local recording has been uploaded to the Riverside servers.
Source: Riverside
How to Edit Your Content in Riverside.fm
Riverside.fm provides an impressive range of tools for creators who want control over their audio and video edits. However, if you’d rather skip the hands-on work, consider outsourcing to professional podcast editing services.
Now let’s take a look at the step-by-step process of editing your content in Riverside.fm:
1. Editing on a Computer Browser
Step 1: Access Your Recording
Log in to your Riverside account and select the project containing your recording. Click “Edit” in the top-right corner to open the editor, or click directly on the recording thumbnail and select “Create New Edit.”
Step 2: Use Text-Based Editing for Quick Cuts
The most powerful aspect of Riverside’s editor is text-based editing:
- Locate unwanted content in the transcript on the left side of the screen
- Select the text you want to remove (individual words, sentences, or paragraphs)
- Press “Delete” to cut that section from both audio and video
- Use the “Show deleted text” toggle to view or hide removed content
Step 3: Apply AI Tools to Enhance Quality
In the top toolbar, click “AI Producer” to access enhancement tools:
- Select “Smooth Speech” to automatically remove filler words (“um,” “uh”) and unwanted sounds
- Use “Set Pace” slider to determine how much silence to remove (move right for faster pacing)
- Apply “Magic Audio” to enhance sound quality and reduce background noise
Step 4: Adjust Video Layout
Click “Layout” in the top toolbar to:
- Change aspect ratio (16:9 for YouTube, 1:1 for Instagram, 9:16 for vertical videos)
- Rearrange participant positions by dragging names in the tracks tool
- Apply Smart Scenes to automatically focus on active speakers
- Add spacing between video frames or adjust their size and position
Step 5: Add Visual Elements
Enhance your video with:
- Animated captions by clicking the “Captions” button and selecting a style
- Text overlays for lower thirds or titles by selecting text and clicking “Add > Text”
- Image overlays by uploading your own or selecting from the stock library
- Background frames and logos through the “Brand” tool in the top toolbar
Step 6: Export Your Finished Content
Click “Export” in the top-right corner to prepare your content for publication:
- Choose video quality (up to 4K) or select audio-only format
- Enable options to normalize audio levels and remove background noise
- Toggle watermark removal (available on paid plans)
- Click “Export Video” or “Export Audio Only” to process your content
Source: Riverside
2. Editing on the Mobile App
Step 1: Access Your Recording
Open the Riverside mobile app and navigate to your studio. Select the recording you want to edit, then tap “New Edit” or select an existing draft to continue editing.
Step 2: Use Transcript-Based Editing
The mobile app offers simplified but powerful editing:
- View the transcript below the video preview
- Tap to select words, phrases, or silence (represented by dots)
- Tap “Delete” to remove these sections from your recording
- Adjust text size to select larger portions of content at once
Step 3: Add Animated Captions
Enhance accessibility and engagement:
- Tap the captions tool to browse different caption styles
- Select a style and customize font, size, color, and animation
- Position captions by dragging them on the screen
- Preview how they look with your content before finalizing
Step 4: Change Video Format
Adapt your content for different platforms:
- Toggle between square (1:1) and widescreen (16:9) formats
- Preview how your video will look in each format
- Select the best option for your target platform
Step 5: Export From Your Device
When your edit is complete:
- Tap the share button in the top-right corner
- Choose video or audio export format and quality
- Enable options to normalize audio or remove background noise
- Tap “Export Video” or “Export Audio”
- Once processing completes, download to your device or share directly to social platforms
What are the key features of Riverside.fm?
The key features of Riverside.fm are –
1. Local Recording Technology
Riverside’s local recording technology captures audio and video directly on each participant’s device before uploading it to the cloud. This results in clear quality regardless of internet connection stability.
This technology sets Riverside apart from other platforms that rely on streaming quality. When using Zoom or similar services, a poor connection means poor recording quality – not the case with Riverside.
Source: Riverside
2. Text-Based Editing
Riverside’s text-based editing transforms post-production by letting you edit recordings as easily as you’d edit a text document. Simply select words or sentences in the transcript and delete them to remove that section from your recording.
This approach makes editing faster compared to traditional timeline-based editing, where finding the exact spot to cut can be time-consuming.
3. AI-Powered Tools
The platform integrates several AI tools that further streamline the content creation process:
Smooth Speech automatically removes filler words (“um,” “uh”) and awkward pauses. Set Pace intelligently adjusts the timing of your content to maintain a consistent flow. One click can transform a conversation into a professional recording.
Magic Audio enhances sound quality, reducing background noise and echo to deliver a studio-quality sound even when recording in imperfect environments. This feature is particularly valuable for creators working from home offices with less-than-ideal acoustics.
4. Multi-Camera Production
For hosts looking to create more visually engaging content, Riverside offers automatic camera switching that focuses on the active speaker. The Smart Scenes feature handles the visual flow of your recording, creating a more dynamic, professional look without manual editing.
This means creators can focus on the conversation rather than worrying about production details. The result looks like a professional multi-camera shoot with zero technical expertise required.
Source: YouTube
5. Integrated Transcription and Captions
Riverside automatically generates accurate transcripts for every recording in over 100 languages, making it easy to manage multilingual video content. These transcripts don’t just facilitate editing—they also provide content for show notes, blog posts, and other text-based assets.
Animated captions can be added with a single click, making content more accessible and engaging for viewers who prefer or need to watch with text. These captions are customizable with various styles and animations to match your brand.
Source: Riverside
6. Magic Clips for Social Media Content
Creating promotional content for social media can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of content marketing. Riverside’s Magic Clips feature automatically identifies compelling moments from your recordings and transforms them into vertical videos perfect for social platforms.
This feature is valuable for content creators who understand the importance of multi-platform distribution but struggle to find the time to create platform-specific content variations.
Source: Riverside
Best Practices for Computer Recording
1. Ensure Technical Stability
Before recording, restart your computer to free up temporary memory. Ensure you have at least 5GB of free space on your browser and Graphics Acceleration enabled.
For Mac users, download the Riverside desktop app for improved performance and reliability over browser-based recording.
2. Optimize Your Audio Setup
Always wear wired headphones and use an external microphone. Adjust your microphone input volume properly:
- On Windows: Access sound settings, select your microphone under Input, click Device Properties, and adjust the level slider
- On Mac: Go to System Settings > Sound > Input and adjust the Input volume slider while speaking
Aim for a meter reading between halfway and 2/3 full when speaking at normal volume.
3. Prepare Your Recording Space
Record in a quiet space with the strongest light source in front of you, not behind. If using a laptop’s built-in webcam, place it on a stable surface at eye level.
Consider using a simple room treatment like hanging blankets to reduce echo if recording in a hard-surfaced room.
Best Practices for Mobile Recording
1. Stabilize Your Device
Use a tripod or stable mount rather than holding your device. This prevents distracting movement and allows you to focus on content rather than camera position.
Unlock your device’s orientation before recording and use landscape mode (horizontal) rather than portrait for a more professional appearance.
2. Maximize Performance
Close all other apps, ensure your device is fully charged, and disable power-saving mode. Consider using cellular data instead of WiFi if you have a strong signal, as it can sometimes provide more consistent connectivity.
Turn on Do Not Disturb mode to prevent notifications from interrupting your recording.
3. Optimize Audio Quality
If using an external microphone, test it with the Riverside app before your recording session. Keep your device in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating during extended recording sessions.
For iOS users, consider using the continuity camera feature to use your iPhone as a high-quality webcam for your Mac.
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Tips for Maximizing Riverside.fm
1. Create Visual Interest with Screen Sharing
Keep your audience engaged by sharing relevant visuals throughout your recording. Riverside’s screen sharing feature lets you display websites, presentations, or other content while keeping participants visible in picture-in-picture mode.
This creates more visually dynamic content that holds viewer attention far better than static talking heads. Each screen share is recorded as a separate track for flexible editing later.
2. Mark Important Moments During Recording
Use Riverside’s marker feature to flag important moments during your recording session. Press “M” on your keyboard to add a marker whenever something needs attention during editing.
This creates a visual reference point in the editor, saving time when you need to find specific sections to fix or highlight later.
3. Test and Verify Before Main Recording
Run a short test recording with all participants to verify audio levels, video framing, and connection quality. This lets you identify and fix any technical issues before starting your main content.
Confirm that all participants’ tracks are recording properly by checking for the red recording indicator in each video frame and monitoring the upload progress in the Studio sidebar.
4. Add a Professional Touch with AI Tools
After recording, apply Riverside’s AI tools to improve your content. Start with Smooth Speech to remove filler words, followed by Set Pace to maintain energy throughout the recording.
These one-click enhancements can transform conversations into polished, professional content that keeps listeners engaged.
5. Export in Multiple Formats for Different Platforms
Create platform-specific versions of your content by exporting in different formats. For YouTube, export in 16:9 4K resolution. For Instagram and TikTok, use Magic Clips to create vertical videos.
Riverside makes this process seamless by allowing you to change aspect ratios with a single click and create multiple exports from the same recording session.
Riverside.fm Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Local recording technology ensures consistent quality regardless of internet connection
- Text-based editing significantly reduces post-production time
- Separate audio and video tracks provide maximum editing flexibility
- AI enhancement tools like Magic Audio and Smooth Speech create professional results
- Platform works directly in browser with no software downloads required
- Mobile app allows recording from iPhone or Android devices
- Magic Clips feature automates social media content creation
Cons:
- Higher learning curve for first-time users compared to basic recording tools
- Maximum of 10 recorded participants per session
- No native live call-in capability for audience participation in free version
- Local recording requires participants to keep their browser open until uploads complete
- Some advanced editing features require Pro or Business tier subscriptions
Riverside.fm Pricing Structure
Riverside offers several pricing tiers to accommodate different needs:
1. Free Plan
- Up to 2 hours of multi-track recordings
- 720p video quality
- 44.1 kHz audio
- Riverside watermark on videos
- Unlimited single-track recording
2. Standard Plan: $19/month (billed annually)
- 5 hours of multi-track recordings
- Up to 4K video quality
- 48 kHz audio quality
- No watermark
- Smooth Speech & Set Pace features
- Image & text overlays
3. Pro Plan: $29/month (billed annually)
- 15 hours of multi-track recordings
- All Standard features plus:
- Magic Audio enhancement
- AI Transcriptions in 100+ languages
- AI Show Notes generation
- AI Voice text-to-speech
- Magic Clips controls
- Full Brand Kit
4. Business Plan: Custom pricing
- Unlimited multi-track recording
- All Pro features plus:
- Production workspaces
- Team collaboration tools
- Advanced editing features
- Producer mode
- Teleprompter for host and guests
- Custom frame rates
- SSO integration
The Live Studio add-on ($15/month) is available for Standard and Pro plans, allowing watermark-free 1080p live streaming with custom studio branding.
What is new in Riverside.fm?
Riverside continues to innovate with frequent feature updates. Recent additions include:
1. VideoDub
This groundbreaking feature lets you edit spoken content by correcting the transcript, then automatically syncs lips to match the new audio. This means you can fix verbal mistakes without re-recording.
2. Picture-in-Picture Mode
Stay engaged in conversations while accessing other materials on your computer with PiP mode, which keeps the studio visible in a floating window.
3. Brand Themes
Quickly apply professional styling with pre-made templates for backgrounds, captions, and text styles that match your brand guidelines and identity.
4. Find Fluff
This AI tool identifies and removes redundant takes, off-topic chatter, and technical discussions with a single click.
5. Multi-track Audio Editing
New tools for optimizing individual audio tracks, including Magic Mute for removing background noise and Smart Scenes for automatically focusing on the active speaker.
6. Timeline Export
After making rough cuts and adding comments in Riverside, export your timeline as a synchronized package for easy import to Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
7. Scheduled Live Streams
Plan and promote your live streams in advance by scheduling them directly to your social platforms without additional setup.
8. Editor Workflows
Set default preferences for Full Episodes and Magic Clips to automate repetitive editing tasks and maintain consistent styling.
9. Comments in Editor
Add notes directly to the transcript to streamline collaboration and mark sections for revision or future reference.
10. Live Stream Text Banners
Style and brand text overlays, clickable links, and participant information to make your live streams more dynamic and interactive.
11. Audience Registration
Pre-register audience members for scheduled sessions to track attendance and facilitate follow-up communication.
12. Mobile App Improvements
Enhanced editing capabilities on iOS and Android apps, including transcript-based editing and animated caption customization.
13. Audio Sync Tools
Fix lip sync issues by adjusting audio tracks forward or backward until they perfectly align with video.
14. Omnichat
Monitor and interact with messages from viewers across multiple streaming platforms from within the Riverside chat interface.
15. Studio Customization
Personalize your studio’s design with logos, theme colors, and accent colors to reflect your brand identity.
At Content Beta, we use Riverside.fm
We’re a full-service production company with remote recording capabilities and we are always on the lookout for reliable recording platforms. Riverside.fm is the perfect addition to our tech stack due to its local recording technology and AI-powered editing features.
Other than the high-quality remote recording, we also offer –
- Transparent Pricing: Our Creative-as-a-service model has no hidden fees, just clear and affordable pricing. Unused credits roll over to the next month.
- Quick Turnaround: Receive professionally edited content in 8-10 days, so you never miss a deadline.
- Slack Integration: Seamless communication and updates directly within your workflow to keep things smooth and efficient.
Schedule a discovery call today!
Final Thoughts
Riverside.fm stands out as a solid solution for creators who value quality and efficiency. While it offers more features than basic recording tools, the platform’s design makes professional-level production accessible to creators at all skill levels.
The local recording technology solves the most common frustrations of remote content creation, while AI-powered editing tools reduce post-production time. For content creators serious about quality and audience growth, Riverside provides excellent value.
The platform’s continuous innovation demonstrates a commitment to solving real problems faced by podcasters and video creators. Features like AI transcription, Magic Clips, and VideoDub address the most time-consuming aspects of content production.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing workflow, Riverside.fm delivers the tools needed to create professional content that stands out in today’s crowded media landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does Riverside's local recording technology work?
Riverside records audio and video directly on each participant's device instead of capturing the streamed feed. This means even if someone's internet connection drops temporarily, the recording continues locally at full quality. Once the recording ends, these high-quality files automatically upload to Riverside's servers.
Can guests join without creating an account?
Yes, guests don't need a Riverside account. They simply click the guest link you send them and join through a supported browser (Chrome or Edge). Guests can also join using the Riverside mobile app without creating an account.
What happens if someone's internet drops during recording?
If a participant loses internet connection, their local recording continues, and they'll rejoin the live call when their connection returns. The final recording will have their high-quality audio and video without interruptions, even during connection drops.
How much storage do I get with Riverside?
Storage is based on recording hours rather than file size. Free accounts get 2 hours, Standard plans include 5 hours, Pro plans offer 15 hours, and Business plans provide unlimited multi-track recording time. These limits refer to the original recordings, not edited content.
Can I live stream while recording in Riverside?
Yes, Riverside supports simultaneous recording and live streaming to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The Standard and Pro plans can add the Live Studio feature for $15/month, which enables 1080p streaming without watermarks and custom studio branding.
How accurate is Riverside's transcription feature?
Riverside's AI transcription is highly accurate across 100+ languages. For English content with clear audio, accuracy typically exceeds 95%. The transcript is editable, allowing you to correct any errors before using it for captions or show notes.
Can I record on my phone or tablet?
Yes, Riverside offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. These apps provide the same local recording technology as the desktop version, with features tailored for mobile devices. You can record up to 4K video quality depending on your device's capabilities.
Does Riverside support multiple cameras?
Yes, you can connect multiple cameras to your recording setup using the Riverside desktop app. This allows you to switch between different angles during recording or in post-production, creating more visually engaging content.
We create strategic design assets for 200+ B2B & SaaS companies.
Sales presentations, Marketing collateral, Website graphics, Ads Creative and more.