We recommmend recording remote interview using two simultaneous methods:
- Asking your guest to record themselves on their phone
- Record a video or audio interview with Zoom
This method assumes that your guest has access to the internet and two separate devices, a smartphone and either a tablet or home computer. If your guest only has access to one device, we recommend simply conducting and recording a video or audio interview through Zoom. If your guest does not have access to the internet we recommend downloading a recording app that can record your phone call live (Android l Apple). These applications usually require some type of subscription or payment to access the files or enable longer recording times.
To record your interview via Zoom:
- Instruct your guest to download Zoom on their home computer or tablet. They can setup a free account with their personal email address.
- Login using your Tufts credentials.
- Send your guest the link to your Zoom meeting room. Zoom has a comprehensive set of guides for inviting and joining meeting rooms. If your subject does not have familiarity with Zoom, guiding them through the process of joining a meeting is a good idea.
- Make sure in Preferences > Recording you select Record a separate audio file for each participant
- Record your interview. When selecting where to save, save the file to your computer. Simultaneously, ask that your guest commence recording themselves using an audio recording app on their phone (see below). This will ensure that you have a backup file should the internet connection weaken.
- If one party has an unstable internet connection, do not share video. Record audio only.
- If you've never recorded a Zoom meeting before test this part of the process with a friend or colleague!
- Every 30 minutes, or whatever length of time feels appropriate, take a break. Have your guest stop recording on their phone and save and label the file. This ensures you won't accidentally loose the file due battery loss or insufficient space.
- Once you are finished with the interview, stop your Zoom recording. You can use the resulting mp4 to edit the audio files in an editing application.
- Ask your guest to share their audio recordings from their phone with you via email or a cloud based storage app like Dropbox or Googledrive.
Recording on a Smartphone:
You will need to review properly setting up, recording and share audio files with your guest prior to your interview.
- Identify the app your subject has free and easy access to.
- Research what settings (see below) they can adjust using that app.
- Walk your guest through settings, recording techniques, recording, labeling and sharing process.
- Test test test! Have your guest send you a test file so you can make sure their setup is optimal.
- Have your guest begin recording at the beginning of your interview.
- Every 30 minutes, or whatever length of time feels appropriate, take a break. Have your guest stop recording on their phone and save and label the file. This ensures you won't accidentally loose the file due battery loss or insufficient space.
- At the end of the interview, ask your guest to share the audio recordings with you via email or a cloud based storage app like Dropbox or Google drive.
Backing up your audio files
Once you are finished recording, name your audio file on your device. Sharing your audio file to a computer will differ based on your phone, operating system,and application. Most applications will allow you to share your files with yourself via email or to an application like Box or Google Drive. Connecting your device to a computer via USB is another way to retrieve these files from your phone. Transfer all your recorded files to a platform that will let you download the individual media files, which you can then open in an editing application.
