There are two clear trends in audio content production in 2021. One is the use of online collaboration platforms and cloud-based software, which in turn allows easy integration of intensive computing processes using machine learning and artificial intelligence - the second industry trend. This allows dramatically expanding audio recording applications to a much larger market that lacks pro audio engineering skills and would never be able to deal with digital audio workstations. At the same time, these cloud tools, combined with AI, allow boosting the quality for audio content generated by remote teams, which is increasingly the standard practice for podcasting.
SquadCast is a startup company that wants to be positioned as a player in online podcast production. With its state-of-the-art recording capabilities, SquadCast's Cloud Studio can be used to record video interviews, audiobooks, and podcasts. The company expects its new, industry-first features to fuel record growth and a larger market share after an unprecedented year for online collaboration by remote creative professionals during the pandemic.
“SquadCast’s mission is well aligned with Dolby’s – to obsessively provide better quality audio to creators everywhere,” says Aaron Liao, VP of Developer Experiences, Dolby. “Companies like SquadCast are bringing audio magic to life and are raising the bar for remote recording – and beyond. We look forward to what they build next.”
SquadCast Cloud Studio allows ten participants to join in a recording session — the highest number of participants in any CRS platform. Real-time noise cancellation via Dolby.io integration adds dynamic audio leveling and sound clarity with echo reduction.
SquadCast’s new API also empowers integrations with popular tools (via Zapier), such as Calendly, Dropbox, Descript, or custom solutions to bolster recorded content within the podcast and larger tech ecosystem. The service interface is focused on a better workflow for every stage of the process, including one-click audio mastering, screen recording, screen share, transparent connectivity and enhanced network resilience, a "green room" soundcheck, pronoun options, and recording-time analytics.
"Dolby is a titan in the science of sight and sound, so we’re proud to launch the first-ever collaboration with its innovative API platform, Dolby.io," says SquadCast co-founder, CEO, Zachariah Moreno (pictured above). “We’re also excited to be at Podcast Movement for the unveiling of Cloud Studio 4.5. We know that passionate podcasters and industry pros will love the ability to have up to 10 people recording together with super high quality and with all of the new features we've announced."
Well-known meeting platforms such as Zoom or Skype weren’t designed to offer high-fidelity audio or full HD video for professional content production. Typical video conferencing platforms process audio over the Internet, so recordings are vulnerable to poor connections, which can lead to issues such as audio drift or incomplete audio files. SquadCast v4.5 also offers new video display options if network access is limited.
SquadCast also offers progressive uploading, which means that audio and video files are uploaded in the background, in real-time, while also being recorded locally (with isolated tracks for each participant). When a recording is done, the host can immediately download all audio and video files directly from SquadCast in a variety of formats. SquadCast’s cloud tools enable speedy post-production and easy collaboration among virtual production teams.
SquadCast's cloud studio is browser based and the company is still working on supporting Safari on macOS, but at least it already supports Firefox, allowing everyone to avoid using Google or Microsoft browsers. SquadCast Cloud Studio version 4.5 includes high-quality recordings for all plans, which start at $20/month, with additional features available on premium plans.
www.SquadCast.fm
www.dolby.io
