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By Elva Team

The Real Cost of "Can You Record on Your End?"

You've sent the email. We've all sent the email.

"Hey, the call quality can be iffy sometimes, so could you also record on your end? Just in case."

Seems reasonable. Your guest says sure. Problem solved.

Except it's not.

The ask is bigger than you think

When you ask someone to record locally, you're asking them to:

  1. Find recording software (QuickTime? OBS? What's already on their computer?)
  2. Figure out the settings (which audio input? what resolution?)
  3. Remember to hit record (after already joining your call)
  4. Monitor the recording (is it actually working?)
  5. Know when to stop (and not accidentally close the window)
  6. Find the file (where did it save?)
  7. Send it to you (how? WeTransfer? Dropbox?)

That's a lot to ask someone whose job is to be your guest, not your audio engineer.

What actually happens

  • They forget to hit record
  • They record their speakers instead of their microphone
  • The levels are wrong
  • They accidentally stop it midway
  • They can't find the file
  • The file is too big to send easily
  • They save over it by accident

And you don't find out until after the conversation is over.

The hidden costs

Your time: Following up, troubleshooting, explaining how to find the recording

Their experience: Your guest spends mental energy on tech instead of the conversation

Your relationship: Nobody wants to be the host who sends confusing tech instructions

Your content: When it fails, you're back to compressed call audio

There's a better way

What if your guest just clicked a link?

That's the whole ask. They click a link, join the call, and we handle everything else.

  • We record on their device (4K video, separate audio)
  • We manage the technical details (format, resolution, audio input)
  • We upload automatically when they're done
  • You get clean, separate tracks ready to edit

Your guest stays a guest. They show up, have a conversation, and leave. The recording just happens.

The real cost of DIY

Every time you ask a guest to record locally, you're gambling:

  • Your time
  • Their experience
  • Your content quality
  • Your professional relationship

All to save the cost of a tool that does it automatically.

Stop making your guests do tech support. Start with Elva—free to try, no credit card required.