How to Transcribe Riverside.fm Recordings (Separate Tracks + Speaker Labels)

To transcribe Riverside.fm recordings with clean speaker labels, export each participant’s track (not just a mixdown), keep the track names consistent, and send high-quality audio (WAV) to your transcription tool or service. Then add timestamps, label speakers based on the track names, and edit the transcript into a publish-ready interview or podcast format.

This guide walks you through a practical Riverside transcription workflow: exporting the right files, preserving speaker IDs, aligning transcript to timecodes, removing filler words, and ordering transcription/captions with speaker labels and optional timestamps.

Primary keyword: transcribe Riverside.fm recordings

Key takeaways

• Export separate tracks from Riverside to make speaker labels accurate and editing easier.
• Choose WAV when possible for the best transcription accuracy and cleaner audio cleanup.
• Use consistent track names (Host, Guest 1, Guest 2) so speaker IDs carry through your workflow.
• Add timestamps when you need quote approval, legal review, or fast clip finding.
• For video publishing, request or generate SRT/VTT outputs to reuse the same transcript for captions and subtitles.

Start with the right Riverside export (separate tracks vs. mixdown)

If you only export a mixdown, you can still transcribe it, but you lose a big advantage: each speaker’s audio stays isolated. Separate tracks make it much easier to identify speakers, fix overlap, and keep labels consistent.

In most interview and podcast workflows, you want both: a mixdown for quick listening and separate tracks for transcription, editing, and cleanup.

When to export separate tracks

• Two or more speakers: Speaker labels stay accurate because each file maps to a person.
• Overlapping speech: You can hear (and transcribe) what each person said more clearly.
• Editing for clarity: You can reduce crosstalk, adjust levels, or cut interruptions per speaker.
• Repurposing: You can pull clean quotes or clips without background bleed.

When a mixdown is enough

• Solo recordings: One voice, one track, minimal labeling needs.
• Fast internal notes: You mainly need a rough transcript, not a publish-ready piece.
• Simple reviews: You only need general searchability, not precise speaker attribution.

Export checklist (quick)

• Export audio-only for transcription, even if you also publish video.
• Export separate tracks for each participant when speaker labels matter.
• Keep a mixdown for reference and quick playback.

Choose the best file format for transcription (WAV preferred)

File format affects clarity, especially with sibilance (“s” sounds), plosives (“p” pops), and compression artifacts. For transcription, WAV usually gives you the cleanest input because it avoids the extra compression that can blur words.

If WAV is not practical due to size, use a high-quality alternative, but keep audio consistent across speakers so your transcript reads evenly.

Recommended export formats

• WAV: Best for transcription and post-processing because it preserves audio detail.
• High-quality MP3: Smaller file size; fine for many use cases, but can reduce clarity in tough audio.
• Video files (MP4/MOV): Useful for captions/subtitles, but audio-only is faster to upload and process.

Tip: export settings that help transcription

• Stick with one format across all speakers for consistent results.
• Avoid re-exporting multiple times because each conversion can add artifacts.
• Keep the original raw exports saved in case you need to re-caption later.

Preserve speaker IDs with track names (so labels don’t get messy)

Speaker labels are easiest when your audio files already “tell the truth” about who is speaking. The simplest way to do that is to name tracks clearly and keep the same naming pattern from export to transcript.

Before you export, decide on a naming convention and apply it across your whole season or series.

A simple naming convention that works

• HOST_Jane.wav
• GUEST_John_Smith.wav
• COHOST_Alex.wav

How to map track names to speaker labels

• Use the track name as the default speaker label (HOST, GUEST, etc.).
• If you want full names in the transcript, include them in the filename.
• If you want privacy or consistency, keep labels generic (Speaker 1, Speaker 2) and provide a mapping note.

What to do if Riverside exports generic names

If your export gives you unclear filenames, rename the files before you upload them for transcription. Renaming takes a minute, but it can save a lot of time later when you fix speaker attribution.

Keep the same names in your editing project folders so everyone on your team uses the same speaker IDs.

Align the transcript with timecodes (and decide how detailed you need)

Timestamps help you verify quotes, find moments quickly, and sync captions to video. You don’t always need a timestamp on every line, so choose the lightest option that still supports your workflow.

If you plan to publish captions or subtitles, you’ll also want time-aligned outputs like SRT or VTT.

Common timestamp options

• No timestamps: Best for blogs and internal documentation where sync is not needed.
• Periodic timestamps: For example, every 30–60 seconds, or at speaker changes.
• Word- or line-level timing: Useful for captions and precise review, but can cost more time to produce.

Practical ways to align transcript to timecodes

• Use the mixdown as a “master” reference track for a single timeline.
• When speakers overlap, refer back to the separate tracks to confirm what each person said.
• If you edit the audio (cuts, rearranges), finalize the edit first or be ready to re-time captions afterward.

Accessibility note (why captions matter)

If you publish video content, captions support viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and help people watch without sound. For U.S. federal agencies and many organizations that follow accessibility standards, captions often play a role in meeting accessibility expectations under Section 508.

For web content more broadly, the WCAG guidelines also cover alternatives for time-based media like prerecorded audio and video.

Edit into a publish-ready interview or podcast transcript

A raw transcript captures everything, but a publish-ready transcript reads cleanly and respects the speaker’s meaning. Decide your editing style first, then apply it consistently across the full episode.

Most podcasts use a “clean verbatim” approach: you keep the meaning, remove clutter, and fix obvious stumbles without rewriting someone’s voice.

Step-by-step: clean up the transcript

• Fix speaker labels first: Confirm that HOST/GUEST lines match the correct track.
• Remove filler words carefully: Cut repeated “um,” “uh,” and “you know” when they add noise.
• Keep intent intact: Don’t delete words that change tone, certainty, or meaning.
• Light grammar cleanup: Fix obvious false starts and repeated phrases, but don’t over-polish.
• Add punctuation for readability: Short sentences help the reader follow the conversation.
• Standardize names and terms: Make product names, acronyms, and job titles consistent.

What to do about filler words (quick rules)

• Remove fillers at the start of answers (“Um, yeah, so…”) unless it adds personality you want to keep.
• Keep fillers when they signal hesitation that matters (“I… I’m not sure”).
• If you cut a filler, read the sentence aloud to make sure it still sounds natural.

Handle cross-talk and interruptions without confusion

• If two people talk at once, use the separate tracks to confirm the main sentence.
• If both lines matter, break the section into short lines and label each speaker clearly.
• If an interruption is not meaningful, you can omit it in clean transcripts, but keep the main point accurate.

Create a “podcast transcript layout” readers like

• Use bold speaker names or clear labels (HOST:, GUEST:).
• Add short paragraph breaks every 1–2 sentences for screen readability.
• Optionally add section headers for topic shifts (2–6 per episode).
• Include a short intro line with episode title, guests, and date.

Order transcription, captions, and subtitles for Riverside recordings (speaker labels + timestamps)

If you want a transcript that is ready to publish, it helps to specify exactly what you need upfront: speaker labels, timestamp style, and subtitle file formats. That way you can reuse the same source content for blogs, show notes, captions, and social clips.

GoTranscript supports transcription and caption deliverables that work well with Riverside exports, including options for speaker labels and timestamps.

What to include with your order (so you get the right output)

• Upload separate tracks (recommended) or a mixdown if you prefer.
• Provide speaker names and how you want them displayed (HOST/Jane Doe/Speaker 1).
• Request timestamps (none, periodic, or at speaker changes), based on your editing needs.
• Share spellings for names, brand terms, and acronyms in a short note.
• Choose caption/subtitle formats if you publish video (SRT or VTT).

Transcription vs. captions vs. subtitles (plain-language difference)

• Transcript: A text document of what was said (often used for blogs, notes, and quotes).
• Captions: Time-synced text for video, often including non-speech cues when needed.
• Subtitles: Time-synced text for video, typically focused on dialogue for viewers who can hear the audio.

Outputs to request for YouTube and social platforms

• SRT: Widely supported for YouTube and many editors.
• VTT: Common for web players and some social workflows.

If you already have a draft transcript (from AI or in-house), you can also send it for cleanup using transcription proofreading services instead of starting from scratch.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Most transcription issues come from preventable workflow gaps: wrong export type, unclear filenames, or editing captions after the fact. A few small habits keep everything predictable.

Use this list as a final check before you upload files for transcription or captioning.

• Pitfall: Exporting only a mixdown and losing speaker clarity. Fix: Export separate tracks and keep a mixdown for reference.
• Pitfall: Generic track names like “Track 1.” Fix: Rename files to HOST/GUEST before upload.
• Pitfall: Editing the audio after captions are made. Fix: Lock your edit first or plan to regenerate captions.
• Pitfall: Inconsistent speaker labels across episodes. Fix: Use a standard naming convention every time.
• Pitfall: Missing proper nouns and acronyms. Fix: Provide a spelling list with your upload notes.

Common questions

Should I transcribe separate tracks or a single mixdown?

Choose separate tracks when you want accurate speaker labels and easier editing. Use a mixdown when speed matters more than speaker attribution or when you have one speaker.

Is WAV always required for transcription?

No, but WAV often produces cleaner results because it avoids extra compression. If file size is a problem, use a high-quality audio format and avoid multiple conversions.

How do I make sure speakers are labeled correctly?

Name each track clearly before uploading and provide a speaker list in your order notes. If you use HOST/GUEST labels, keep them consistent across episodes.

Do I need timestamps in my podcast transcript?

You need timestamps if you plan to verify quotes, pull clips, collaborate with editors, or create captions/subtitles. If you only publish a readable transcript, you can often skip timestamps.

What’s the difference between SRT and VTT?

Both are timecoded subtitle formats. SRT works broadly across platforms, while VTT is common for web video players and some accessibility workflows.

Can I clean up filler words without changing meaning?

Yes, if you follow a clean verbatim approach: remove repeated fillers and stumbles, but keep words that change tone or intent. Read edits back to confirm the sentence still matches the speaker’s meaning.

If I already have an AI transcript, what should I do next?

Proofread for speaker labels, names, key terms, and punctuation, then format it for readability. If you want professional cleanup, you can use a proofreading service rather than re-transcribing.

Next step: turn your Riverside recording into usable text and captions

A solid Riverside workflow starts with separate-track exports and clear filenames, then ends with a transcript and caption files you can reuse everywhere. If you want help producing a clean transcript with speaker labels, optional timestamps, and subtitle outputs like SRT/VTT, GoTranscript offers professional transcription services that fit neatly into this process.