Web-Based Recording
Introduction
This document provides an overview of approaches to recording video and/or audio
conversations facilitated through web-based systems. Options described include both paid and
free software apps for PC, Mac, and mobile operating systems. There are certainly other
approaches beyond those mentioned here, and the selection below serves as a curated
overview of a handful of systems rather than an all-inclusive survey.
Things to know
When recording using a web-based platform, the interviewer has to consider multiple technical
questions concerning not only their own setup, but for each interviewee’s setup as well. While
this can take a little extra time and problem solving, it can also become a relatively comfortable
space to conduct an interview, as well as one of the only options in remote interviewing with the
possibility of generating high-quality recordings.
When considering this option, inventory what is accessible to you and your interviewee(s)
before you subscribe to something new. What are your priorities: high quality audio recording for
archives/access or capturing a video exchange? Do you want to pair multiple systems to
accomplish different goals? Also, you will want to consider security as web-based connections
and recordings can be more vulnerable than in-person or phone interviews.
With more people connecting with colleagues and family over web-based platforms as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic, this option presents less of a barrier than it might have previously.
For interviewees comfortable with computer-based systems and the thought of utilizing extra
equipment, like external webcam setups, microphones, headphones, and even lighting, web-
based recording can be a good option.
Remember when interviewing through web-based hardware to ensure all other audio and video
playback devices are disengaged and any programs with audio notifications are closed. For
other examples of logistical considerations for web-based interviewing, see the case studies for
remote oral history interviewing using the Zoom platform:
● NYC Covid-19 Oral History, Narrative and Memory Project Case Study
● Columbia Obama Project Zoom Interview Process
Platform Options
When deciding which web-based platform to choose, you will want to consider video
conferencing or audio-only recordings. Or a combination of both where you use Zoom or Skype
to create a virtual connection between you and your narrator, and use an additional recording
software to record audio. With audio-only capture, you will also want to consider whether to
create an uncompressed double ending recording or use a screen-capture of VoIP audio, which
will be compressed on the narrator’s end.
Video Conferencing Options
Due to ease of recording, video technology, and cost, you might choose to record through web conferencing software. Most
platforms have in-built options for recording audio and video. Regarding video, many VoIP services record video in Mp4, which
meets preservation quality targets for many archival repositories. As for audio, since the software provider compresses the call, the
result is lossy audio. If you are aiming for a higher quality audio, you may want to consider pairing multiple systems here--e.g.
connecting through a video conferencing system like Zoom and simultaneously creating an audio file with a system like Zencastr or
Cleanfeed (see Audio Options and/or Screen Capture options, below).
Zoom
Skype
WebEx
TheirStory
Cost
Free, Pro ($15/mo),
Business ($20/mo),
Enterprise
(https://zoom.us/pricing)
Free
Free, Starter
($14/mo), Plus
($18/mo), Business
($27/mo)
Family ($120/yr)
Community ($1,000-
$5,000/yr)
(https://www.theirstory.io/
pricing)
Recorded file
format
MP4 (video), M4A (audio)
MP4
Free version: Webex
Recording Format
(WRF), Paid version:
MP4
MP4 video file and WAV
audio file
File storage
Local (free), Cloud (paid
option)
Records to cloud
Local (free), Cloud
(paid option)
Cloud storage - Files
stored on Amazon Web
Services (AWS),
downloadable, or can
sync to Google Drive
Internet
connection
requirement
Yes, or cellular data
(mobile devices)
Yes, or cellular data (mobile devices)
Yes, or cellular data
(mobile devices)
Yes
Accessibility
Accommodati
ons
Closed captioning,
Keyboard Accessibility,
Automatic Transcript;
Screen Reader Support.
Mostly focused on visual accessibility
needs, full list of accommodations
based on operating system used here:
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA1
Low vision and
screen reader
support. Find out
more:
N/A
“Our products are
compliant, with exceptions,
with the following
standards: WCAG 2.1 AA
Standards, Revised
Section 508 Standars, EN
301 549 Accessibility
requirements. See
more:https://zoom.us/acce
ssibility.
2371/what-accessibility-features-are-
available-for-skype
https://help.webex.co
m/en-
us/cfojgdb/Webex-
Web-App-
Accessibility-
Features
Required
skills
N/A
N/A
N/A
Appears to be a very low
threshold for entry
Hardware
Requirements
Computer or mobile device
with microphone and
webcam
Computer or mobile device with
microphone and webcam
Computer or mobile
device with
microphone and
webcam
Computer or mobile
device with microphone
and webcam
Hardware
Recommendat
ions
External webcam,
microphone, lighting,
headphones
External webcam, microphone,
lighting, headphones
External
microphone, lighting,
headphones
External webcam,
microphone, lighting,
headphones
Pros
Vast recognition/ease of
use, great buffering, video
recording quality
acceptable for repositories,
many
organizations/institutions
have Business or
Enterprise accounts,
option to make separate
audio files for each user,
offers separate audio and
video file instead of video
only, HIPAA-compliant
In recent years, Skype has been
widely used for tasks such as remote
job interviews, so there is often a
familiarity with it
Many
organizations/instituti
ons have Business
subscriptions
Designed for oral history
work, you can generate a
transcription of your
recording as a
downloadable Word
document. Strong built-in
project management
capabilities.
version exists, though
pricey, end-to-end
encryption in beta as of
Summer 2020.
Cons
Audio quality compressed
format, time limits with free
version
No separation of audio/video files,
poor sound quality
Conversion of WRF
to MP4 requires
extra steps for PC
and not possible for
Macs. The built in
ALC (Automatic
Level Control) can
impact recording by
cutting off the first
several
words/phrases of the
speaker as the
system automatically
increases recording
level.
Not scalable for
individuals or
organizations who only
need recording function
and not the full service
Additional
information
Free version only allows
connection up to forty
minutes and does not have
cloud file storage
option.Try to store
recordings locally for
privacy. Business Plan
Cloud Recording
Transcriptions are low
quality and need vast
editing. With the recent
popularity of this platform,
there is some history of
Zoom calls being
susceptible to hackers, see
more on suggestions to
Skype has the ability to record
computer to phone (landline), but you
may need a paid account and some
extra software/hardware to
accomplish this (see tutorial here:
https://resonaterecordings.com/2020/0
4/how-to-record-skype-calls/)
N/A
This is a full-service
system which offers more
than access to the
recording platform, they
also provide interview
services and training,
storytelling workshops,
and project management.
Partners with Aviary for
access.
offset this:
https://blog.zoom.us/keep-
uninvited-guests-out-of-
your-zoom-event/
Audio Options
Some web-based options create “double-ender” recordings and some create low compression audio files. “Double-ender” refers to
audio on both ends of a ‘call’ recorded locally. This is a great option because the recording is not compressed through a VoIP or
telephone call, and creates lossless audio, which is of a higher quality and better for preservation and access. A “double-ender”
recording can be made manually through screen capture audio recording software, or through a web-based platform like Zencastr or
Squadcast.
Squadcast
Zencastr
Cleanfeed.net
Web-based, audio-only recording
system, creates “double-ender”
recording
Web-based, audio-only recording
system, creates “double-ender”
recording
Web-based, audio-only recording
system
No free version. $9/$17/$38 per
month options. They offer education
and non-profit discounts
(https://squadcast.fm/pricing/)
Free (Hobbyist), $18 or
$20/month (Pro)
(https://zencastr.com/pricing)
Free and Pro ($22-$33/month)
(https://cleanfeed.net/)
44.1kHz/16-bit WAV or MP3
Free version: high quality MP3, paid
version: 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV or high
quality MP3
16-Bit/48kHz WAV
Automatically uploads the files to
the SquadCast cloud and can be
downloaded to local computer
Cloud (download from Zencaster
server or save directly to Google Drive
or Dropbox)
Unclear where file is stored while
recording other than your browser
retaining the recordings on disk,
but the file is downloaded to a local
computer immediately upon
recording completion
They recommend a network speed
range of approximately 5-10 mbps
up and down. You can run a speed
test at www.speedtest.net
Ideal internet connection on both
sides would be 1.5 Mbps up/down and
hopefully 5 Mbps or more. You can
run a speed test at www.speedtest.net
Yes
Basic comfort level with
troubleshooting microphone pairing
Basic comfort level with
troubleshooting microphone pairing
Basic comfort level with
troubleshooting microphone pairing
Computer or Android mobile device
(using a mobile browser app) with
microphone and
speakers/headphones
Computer or Android mobile device
(using a mobile browser app),with
microphone and
speakers/headphones
Operating Systems:
Mac OS 10.10 or higher
Windows 8.1 or higher
Specs:
20GB+ of free hard disk space
4GB+ of RAM
Computer or mobile device (using
a mobile browser app) with
microphone and
speakers/headphones
External microphone (optional
webcam)
External microphone and headphones
External microphone and
headphones
Option to open a video screen (not
recorded) for better communication.
Video can be disabled if needed.
Zencastr records each participant
separately into their own track and
has an option to control location of
cloud file storage
Free version is unlimited recording
time. Host can see what kind of
interface guests are using and
double check microphone settings.
Clean interface that’s reportedly
easy to use. Easy to keep files
private.
Not compatible with iPad or iPhone.
It isn’t clear where the files are
being stored or what happens to
them after they are downloaded
from the Squadcast server.
N/A
Only compatible to host with
Chrome and Safari internet
browsers.
SquadCast records all participants
in a recording session locally in
separate tracks. Works best with
The free version of the software lets
you record up to two people and limits
you to eight hours of recording per
Not a “double-ender recording.”
Unlike some of the other solutions
where the recording is made live
(e.g. Zencastr), there’s no need to
the latest versions of Chrome, but
also supported by Firefox, Opera,
Brave, and Edge.
month. During the COVID-19
Pandemic, Zencastr has lifted limits
for free accounts (although recording
format options still remain the same).
Zencastr 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.
Video recording option currently in
beta
sync up a recording at a later time.
Free version is for single channel
mix (both narrator and interviewer
on one track). Cleanfeed offers a
discounted rate for “individuals,
educational, or charitable use.”
This platform makes use of a built-
in VoIP service. The audio will still
be compressed through the Opus
codec Check out their FAQs for
tips.
Screen Capture Options
Records audio and video as it is played on a computer. Please note that if you are using one of these programs to record a video or
phone call, the audio will be compressed even if the audio file you save on your recorder or export from audio software is a WAV file.
Also, be mindful that this software is recording audio/video as heard/seen on screen, so audio quality of incoming narrator audio is
important. Advanced users could create local “double-ender” recordings collaboratively with narrators, meaning the narrator must
also record through some kind of screen-capture audio recording software. This will require some audio engineering to sync/merge
interviewer and narrator tracks. Also remember if you are recording higher quality interviews, longer interviews will require more hard
drive space.
Audacity
Quicktime (Mac)
XBox Game Bar (PC)
Open Source Broadcaster
What
Multi-track audio editor
and recorder for
Windows, macOS,
GNU/Linux, and others
Software that creates
audio or video recordings
of your computer screen
Default Windows software
used for video recording
screen space/programs
Audio and video screen
recorder
Cost
Free
Free, comes with Mac
desktops and laptops
Free
Free
Recorded file
format
WAV, MP3, others
AIFF (audio) and MOV
(video)
MP4
WAV (audio), MP4 (video)
File storage
Local (computer)
Local (computer)
Local (computer)
Local (computer)
Internet connection
requirement
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Required skills
Some audio engineering
skills, relatively easy to
use
N/A
N/A
Some audio engineering
skills
Hardware
Requirements
Computer or mobile
device with microphone
and
speaker/headphones
Computer or mobile
device (Mac based
systems only) with
microphone and
speaker/headphones
Windows-based PC with
microphone and
speaker/headphones
Computer with webcam,
microphone,
speaker/headphones
Hardware
Recommendations
External microphone,
headphones
External microphone,
headphones
External microphone,
headphones
External microphone,
headphones, webcam and
lighting (if applicable)
Pros
Free, easy to use,
exports as WAV
Comes standard with
Macs, easy to use
Despite its name, XBox
Game Bar works with any
PC program and is a great
way to create a local copy
of recordings made through
various audio or video
recording platforms
Lots of tutorials regarding
use and choosing file
formatting
Cons
With recent iOS Catalina
update, some users
having issues with
Audacity
Not compatible with
Windows systems
While created files are high
quality, this does mean that
longer recordings will
require a good amount of
hard drive space
N/A
Additional
information
N/A
N/A
N/A
For Macs, latest download is
for MacOS 10.13 or higher,
but older versions of the
software are available