AI-powered video and podcast editing platform Descript has acquired remote recording platform SquadCast for an undisclosed fee, the company has announced.
The software will be free to use for Descript subscribers, who will now have access to a single tool that can be used for their full production workflow. Once recordings are done, the files will be automatically transcribed and made ready for editing with Descript’s existing suite of tools.
“Remote recording has become an essential part of the podcaster’s workflow. And so far, podcasters have been forced to choose between something like Zoom that records at lower quality and is subject to internet glitches, or a pricey subscription to a dedicated remote recording service,” said Descript CEO Andrew Mason. “With our acquisition of SquadCast, podcasters have a battle-tested professional grade remote recording studio integrated right into their editor, for no additional cost.”
With the SquadCast integration, users can record in both audio and video with up to 4K quality and automatic backups for each guest. Recordings can also be joined on mobile devices.
Existing SquadCast users can choose to switch their subscription to Descript at no additional cost, to gain access to its editing capabilities. Descript, which is powered by AI technology, offers a number of subscription tiers which range in price from $12 for creators, to $24 for professionals. There’s also a free tier which offers limited use of Descript’s transcription and recording hours.
“Descript is the best way to make videos and podcasts,” said SquadCast co-founder and CFO Rock Felder. “Together our users have the most powerful and most affordable tool to do what they love all in one place.”
During phase one of the acquisition, SquadCast will continue to operate as a standalone service, with streamlined integration with Descript’s platform. Later in phase two, Descript plans to fully integrate SquadCast’s tech into Descript’s platform and will wind down its standalone service.
Other changes that Descript is planning to make include no longer allowing users to create new projects using the platform’s older Descript Classic interface starting from 1 October. All users will have to copy their Classic projects onto the new Descript format before then and transition to the new interface, also known as Storyboard.
The Descript team will be speaking at this month’s annual Podcast Movement conference in Denver about the best practices used in video podcasting, AI tools for social media, storytelling, and more. The festival will run from 21-24th August.
