How to Use Riverside: A Beginners Guide in 2025

Are you tired of bad audio and video when you try to record a podcast or interview online?

It’s a real pain, right? You try to use Zoom or something similar, and the quality is just… ugh.

Then, when you try to upload it, or get a transcription, it can be a nightmare.

That’s where riverside.fm comes in. 

It’s built for podcasters and anyone needing high-quality audio and video recording.

This guide shows you how to use Riverside.

What is Riverside?

So, what’s Riverside anyway?

Think of it like a special website that helps you record audio and video.

But not just any recording!

It’s made to make your podcasts and video interviews sound and look really good. 

You know how sometimes, when you record online, the sound is fuzzy, and the video is blurry?

Riverside fixes that.

It’s built to get clear audio and sharp video, even if you and your friends or guests are in different places.

Basically, it makes remote recording simple and high-quality.

Setting Up Your Riverside Account

Go to the Riverside Website

First things first, you need to get to the Riverside website.

Just open your internet browser—like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox—and type in ‘riverside.fm’ in the address bar.

Then, press enter. You’ll land on their homepage.

It’s usually pretty easy to spot because it’s got a clean design and shows you what they do right away.

Look for the ‘Sign Up’ button, usually at the top right of the page.”

Click “Sign Up”

“Once you’re on the homepage, click that ‘Sign Up’ button.

This will take you to a new page where you can create your account.

Think of it like making a new profile on a game or social media.

You’ll need to give them some information.”

Enter Your Email and Create a Password

Now, you’ll need to type in your email address.

Make sure it’s one you use regularly because they’ll send you an email to confirm your account.

Then, you’ll need to create a password.

This is like a secret code that only you know, so pick something strong and hard to guess.

Don’t use something easy like ‘password123.

Try mixing letters, numbers, and symbols to make it super secure.”

Verify Your Email

After you enter your email and password, Riverside will send you an email to make sure it’s really you.

Go to your email inbox and find the message from Riverside.

It might be in your main inbox or in your spam folder, so check both.

Inside the email, there will be a link or a button to click.

This link or button will verify your email and tell Riverside that, yes, you are the person who made the account.

Choose a Plan

Once your email is verified, you’ll get to choose a plan.

Riverside has a free plan, which is great for trying it out.

You can record a few times and see if you like it.

They also have paid plans with more features if you want to use Riverside a lot.

The paid plans let you record for longer, get better quality, and use extra tools.

If you’re just starting, the free plan is a good way to go. You can always upgrade later if you need more.

Understanding the Riverside Interface

“Okay, so you’ve signed up.

Now, let’s talk about what you see on the screen.

It’s called the ‘interface,’ which is just a fancy word for how everything looks and where all the buttons are.

Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to get the hang of.

The Main Dashboard:

“When you log in, you’ll see the main dashboard.

This is like Riverside’s home page.

It shows you your recent recordings, any upcoming sessions, and some quick links to important stuff. It’s like the control center for your recordings.

The “Studio” Area:

“The most important part is the ‘Studio.

‘ This is where you actually record your audio and video.

It’s like the stage where you put on your show.

Inside the Studio, you’ll see your camera and microphone settings, and you’ll be able to see yourself and your guests.

This is where the magic happens.

The “Library” for Saved Recordings:

“Riverside also has a ‘Library.’

 Think of it like a folder where all your recordings are kept.

After you record something, it gets saved here.

You can go to the Library to download your files, listen to them again, or share them.

The Settings:

“There’s also a ‘Settings’ area.

This is where you can change things like your audio and video quality, your account details, and other options.

It’s like the settings on your phone, where you can change how things work.

The Invite Link Function:

“One of the coolest things is how easy it is to invite people.

Riverside gives you a link you can send to your guests.

They just click the link, and they can join your recording session, even if they don’t have a Riverside account.

Inviting Guests and Participants

“Okay, so you’re ready to record, but you need guests, right?

Riverside makes this super simple.

You don’t have to worry about complicated setups or getting everyone to download special programs.

Here’s how it works:

How to Generate an Invite Link:

Inside the Studio, you’ll see a button or option to create an invite link.

It’s like making a special web address that people can click to join your recording.

Just click that button, and Riverside will make a unique link for your session.

How to Send the Link to Guests:

“Once you have the link, you can send it to your guests.

You can text it, email it, or send it through a messaging app. It’s just like sharing any other link.

Guests Join Without an Account:

“Here’s the cool part: your guests don’t need a Riverside account.

They just click the link, and they’re in!

It’s super easy for them.

The “Green Room” for Preparation:

“Riverside even has a ‘Green Room.

‘ Think of it like a waiting room before the show starts.

In the Green Room, you and your guests can check your audio and video, make sure everything looks good, and get ready before you start recording.

Recording Your First Session

“Okay, you’ve got your account, you understand the interface, and you’ve invited your guests.

Now, it’s time to record! Here’s how to do it:

Open the “Studio”

“First, go back to the ‘Studio’ area. This is where the recording happens. It’s like walking onto the stage.

Check Your Audio and Video Settings

“Before you start, make sure your microphone and camera are working.

Talk a little bit to see if your microphone is picking up sound.

Check your video to make sure you look good.

You don’t want to start recording and then find out your microphone isn’t working!

Make Sure Guests Are Ready

“If you have guests, make sure they’re ready too. Ask them if they can hear and see you. Tell them to check their settings.

Click the “Record” Button

“When everyone is ready, look for the big ‘Record’ button.

It’s usually red, like the record button on a tape recorder.

Click it, and you’ll start recording.

Talk and Record

“Now, just talk! Have your conversation, do your interview, or record your podcast.

Riverside will record everything.

Click “Stop” When Done

“When you’re finished, click the ‘Stop’ button.

This will end the recording.

Audio and Video Settings

“Okay, so you know how to record, but let’s make sure everything sounds and looks good.

Riverside has settings to help you control your audio and video.

How to Choose Your Microphone and Camera:

First, you need to pick your microphone and camera.

If you have more than one, Riverside will let you choose which ones to use.

You might have a built-in microphone on your computer or a separate one you plug in.

Same with your camera. Choose the ones that work best for you.

Describe How to Adjust Audio Levels:

“Riverside lets you change how loud your microphone is.

This is important because if you’re too quiet, people won’t hear you.

If you’re too loud, it might sound bad. Look for the audio level settings and adjust them until your voice sounds clear.

Mention the Option to Change Video Resolution:

You can also change your video quality.

This is called ‘resolution.

‘ Higher resolution means your video will look sharper and clearer, but it also uses more internet.

If your internet is slow, you might want to use a lower resolution.

Highlight the Importance of Good Lighting:

“Good lighting is super important for video.

If you’re in a dark room, your video will look bad.

Try to record in a room with good light, like near a window. You can also use a lamp to light up your face.

Add a Quick Tip About Using Headphones:

“Using headphones is a great idea.

Headphones help you hear your guests better, and they also stop your microphone from picking up sound from your computer speakers.

This makes your audio sound cleaner.

Explain How to Test Settings Before Recording:

“Before you start recording, always test your settings.

Talk into your microphone and check your video to make sure everything looks and sounds good.

This will help you avoid problems during your recording.”

Conclusion

“So, you’ve learned how to use Riverside.fm!

This platform lets you record high-quality podcast audio and video, even when you’re recording remotely.

With its local recording technology, separate audio and video tracks.

And easy-to-use tools, you can record high-quality podcast episodes and videos for your podcast. 

Now that you know how to use Riverside.fm, let’s get started and make some awesome recordings!

You don’t need a fancy studio setup; just use Riverside.fm, and you’re good to go!

Frequently Asked Questions