Rewind 15 years, and I was deep into my first year of studying for a degree in Sports Journalism. The first big decision I faced: Should I take the Shorthand Module?

I decided against the 12-week course in hieroglyphics — not because I had some prophetic vision of an AI-powered media revolution by 2025, but simply because the Feature Writing Module had more afternoon lectures. I’m not a morning person.

Shorthand firmly belongs in the same nostalgic graveyard as floppy disks, Walkmans, Windows Movie Maker, Polaroids, and the era of recording videos with a physical green screen cloth. Sure, some of that vintage tech has clawed its way back into Gen Z culture under the guise of "retro aesthetics", but let’s be honest, shorthand isn’t making that comeback tour.

Fortunately, I made the right call. By my third year, a module named The Modern Journalist’s Toolkit introduced me to a cutting-edge alternative to shorthand… a chunky cassette tape recorder, complete with a plug-in microphone. Groundbreaking.

By the time I graduated and landed my first full-time media role, shorthand was a distant memory, and even cassette tapes had been replaced by modern cellphone apps like TapeACall and Voice Memos.

I’m not here to throw shade at journalists who seamlessly slip shorthand into their daily workflow (seriously, respect). But, let’s face it. Intuitive AI tools, instant transcription, and one-click translation features have completely changed the game over the last decade.

In this article, we’re exploring AI-driven recording tools and long-standing interview techniques designed to help journalists and media professionals streamline the process of recording and transcribing interviews with efficiency and ease.

Tool: Use WhatsApp Transcriptions for Busy Interviewees

This is one of my favorite "hacks" for recording interviews and WhatsApp only rolled out its transcription feature in late 2024, making it one of my cooler "secret weapons" to flex at dinner parties.

Not all interviews are 60-minute exclusive sit-downs like you see on TV. In reality, the majority of interviewees are convinced to take an interview because it's quick and convenient for them.

WhatsApp transcriptions let journalists instantly convert voice notes from interviewees into text. This eliminates the need for stiff, robotic email responses and allows interviewees to reply in a more natural, conversational way, making the exchange feel authentic and personal.

Likewise, transcribing becomes much more time-efficient, allowing journalists to seamlessly generate responses and plug them into articles.

• Open WhatsApp Settings.
• Tap Chats.
• Turn Voice Message Transcripts on or off.
• When enabling Voice Message Transcripts, select your Transcript Language.

Tip: There's Nothing Wrong with a Cellphone and Mic

There’s a ton of expensive recording equipment out there, but at the end of the day, most of it does the same job as a cellphone and a decent mic.

I’ve been to red-carpet events where journalists’ gear ranges wildly — from expensive Canon video recorders with three-person camera crews to those literally shoving an iPhone in a celebrity’s face.

If you’re a social media manager grabbing quick vox pops, an influencer, an independent blogger, or just starting out as a freelancer, there’s no need to splash the cash on high-end recording devices.

The only thing that makes a considerable difference is a good microphone. Whether it’s a clip-on, handheld, or something with a boom, pairing a microphone with free apps like iOS Notes or Voice Memos makes capturing clear, high-quality interviews ridiculously easy. Unless you’re filming a cinematic documentary, keep it simple — your back, wallet, and sanity will thank you.

• Saves money – Don't blow your budget on fancy equipment when your phone does the job.
• Less hassle – Avoid lugging around bulky gear; just grab a mic, open an app, and hit record.
• Better mobility – Whether you’re in a busy event space or catching someone on the go, lightweight and quick beats heavy and complicated every time.

Tool: Google Meet for Free Transcriptions

There’s no shortage of paid transcription tools out there, all promising lightning-fast, hyper-accurate transcripts for a monthly fee. But here’s the thing, most of them don’t offer more value than what you can get completely free using Google Meet.

If you’re a journalist juggling multiple interviews, a content creator looking for quick quotes, or even a student recording research discussions, Google Meet’s built-in transcription feature can save you time, money, and a whole lot of hassle.

• On your computer, join or start a meeting in Google Meet.
• At the bottom right, click Activities> Transcripts> Start Transcription> Start (when meeting transcripts are on, a Transcripts icon displays at the top left for everyone in the meeting)
• After your meeting ends, an automated email with a link to the meeting transcript is sent to you.

Tool: TapeACall for Mobile Conversations

Not every interview can be fired off in a WhatsApp message or strategically scheduled on Google Meet. Sometimes, you have to go old school — dial some digits, make an actual phone call, and brace yourself for the fact that, yes, people still talk on the phone (feels almost as retro as using Shorthand).

When that moment comes, apps like TapeACall, Call Recorder iCall, Rev Call Recorder, Automatic Call Recorder, and Cube Call Recorder all do pretty much the same thing. I only name-drop TapeACall because it’s an app I’ve relied on for years.

Some of these apps are completely free, while others have premium versions or are limited by recording minutes. Most don’t offer built-in transcription services (TapeACall does) but that’s where tools like Kapwing's Audio to Text Converter come in handy.

• Saves time – No need to manually take notes while talking.
• Captures everything – No more forgetting key quotes or missing important details.
• Easy reference – Listen back whenever you need, ensuring accuracy in your work.

Tip: Manually Write Down Key Notes

Handwriting notes might feel completely at odds with everything I have said in this article so far, but I'm a firm believer in blending both new and traditional practices for a well-rounded workflow that is as enjoyable as it is effective. And if you're a journalist, you're going to adore the pen-and-paper approach.

A 2014 study by Mueller & Oppenheimer, published in Psychological Science, found that handwriting notes boosts memory and comprehension. Why? Because when you write by hand, you’re forced to summarize and reframe information in your own words, rather than just mindlessly typing everything out word for word.

For interviews, the best approach isn’t just to sit there twiddling your thumbs while the recording rolls but to actively take notes by hand. By letting AI handle the transcription, you free up your brain to focus on the bigger picture; jotting down key quotes alongside timestamps, scribbling story angles or follow-up questions, and catching ideas in real-time that could make the final piece even stronger.

By the time your interview wraps up, you won’t just have ready-to-use content, but you’ll remember key parts of the conversation with a map of how certain quotes can be used for different story ideas.

Tool: Remove Annoying Background Noise from Interviews

Okay, so there’s nothing worse than filming an interview, only to have it ruined by a blaring fire engine, a rogue car alarm, or some random guy yelling in the background.

Fortunately, modern AI solutions allow you to remove background noise from recordings without time-consuming manual edits. Kawping, for instance, can completely eliminate background noise with one simple click, giving you a clean, professional-quality recording no matter where you are.

For media professionals, this means no more stress over noisy environments — even if you’re capturing 2 AM vox pops on a packed high street while some drunken punter decides to belt out karaoke in the background.

It also gives journalists more flexibility in how and where they record. Some of the best, most authentic interviews happen in natural, unscripted moments such as chatting over coffee in a busy café, catching a passerby off guard at the beach, or grabbing a last-minute quote in a bustling train station.

• Journalists and Reporters – Grab on-the-go interviews, even in noisy public places.
• Podcasters and Content Creators – Ensure clean, polished audio, even in challenging recording conditions.
• Filmmakers and Documentary Producers – Captures authentic, real-world soundbites without worrying about background noise interference.

Tip: Let Your Interviewee Speak (and Keep it Conversational)

One of the hardest parts of interviewing someone you’re genuinely excited to talk to is resisting the urge to jump in and speak over them.

I remember interviewing Alexander Skarsgård for Men’s Health, and the natural flow of conversation completely sucked me in, so much so that I somehow ended up talking more about my own fitness routine than actually steering the questions toward him.

Keeping an interview fluid and conversational is key to receiving genuine, thoughtful responses, but there’s an art to guiding the discussion with minimal input. If you talk too much, you’ll get fewer answers in return — something I learned the hard way when telling Skarsgård all about my morning run.

Tool: Remove Interview Pauses from Podcasts and Videos

If you’ve recorded an interview and plan to use it for a podcast, website embed, or social media clip, you’re going to want the smoothest, most polished version possible.

Naturally, interviews come with pauses of silence while the interviewee ponders their answer with “umms” and “erms” that fill thinking gaps. While that’s completely normal in conversation, it can disrupt the flow when turning your recording into engaging video and audio content.

That’s where a Clean Audio tool comes in. With one click, it cleans up background noise, removes unnecessary pauses, and smooths out speech, making your interview sound professional and concise.

This is especially useful for short-form content on TikTok and Instagram, where a long pause or stutter could mean the difference between keeping a viewer engaged or losing them to endless scrolling.

• Podcasters and Journalists – Create polished, professional-quality audio that keeps listeners engaged.
• Content Creators and Social Media Managers – Make short-form video clips more digestible, preventing viewers from scrolling away.
• Businesses and Educators – Enhances webinars, training videos, and interviews for clearer communication and a more professional presentation

Tip: Allow Room for Freestyling (but Know Your End Goal)

Just as there’s a fine balance between keeping a conversation flowing and talking too much, the best interviews mix structured questions with spontaneous follow-ups.

My personal advice is to avoid over-planning your questions, even if you only have a 10-minute slot. Imagine your interviewee drops something completely unique and exclusive, offering you the opportunity to trash your current set of questions and grab uncover something even better. Well, if you’re locked into a rigid script, you might miss the chance to explore something more valuable just because you’re too busy "sticking to the plan".

If you’re constantly glancing down at your notes instead of listening to the actual conversation, you risk missing golden follow-ups. Be more attentive to the answers than your own questions and don't be afraid to go off script.