> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cotovan.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Turn an Audio Podcast into a Video in Riverside - URL: https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-turn-an-audio-podcast-into-a-video-in-riverside/ - Published: 2026-04-03T00:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-03T14:58:03.000Z - Author: Cristi Cotovan - Tags: Riverside.FM Articles If you have an audio-only podcast and want to post it on YouTube or other video platforms, [Riverside](https://cotovan.com/riverside) makes it straightforward. Upload your audio, add a cover image, and export as video — all in a few clicks. Here is the full workflow. ## Upload Your Audio File Start by uploading your audio file to a project in [Riverside](https://cotovan.com/riverside). You can upload separate audio tracks for different speakers, or upload a single file and tell Riverside [how many speakers](https://cotovan.com/post/separate-speakers-audio-file-riverside-fm/) are on it. Riverside will automatically analyze the audio, separate the speakers, and transcribe everything. Once processing finishes, go to the **Recordings** tab. You will see the separated speaker tracks listed as Speaker-0 and Speaker-1 (or however many speakers were detected), each marked as "Ready." Click **Edit** to start a new edit from these files. ![Riverside Recordings tab showing two separated speaker tracks (Speaker-1 and Speaker-0) both marked Ready, with Edit and Share buttons](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-recordings-speakers-separated.jpg) The Recordings tab shows the auto-separated speaker tracks ready for editing. ## Rename the Speakers In the editor, the speakers show up with different colors in the transcript. Click on each speaker's name and select **Rename** to give them proper names. This makes the transcript easier to follow and is important if you plan to add captions later. ![Riverside editor showing transcript with two speakers labeled in different colors, with rename options visible](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-editor-renamed-speakers.jpg) Rename each speaker in the editor so the transcript labels them correctly. ## Switch from Audio Only to Video Format By default, the edit opens in **Audio Only** mode. To turn it into a video, click the format selector at the top left where it says "Audio Only." A dropdown appears with format options: - **16:9** — YouTube, Spotify (widescreen) - **1:1** — LinkedIn, X, Instagram (square) - **9:16** — Shorts, Reels, TikToks (vertical) - **Audio only** — the current setting Select **16:9** for YouTube. The editor immediately switches to video mode with a preview area where you can add visual elements. ![Riverside format selector dropdown showing 16:9, 1:1, 9:16, and Audio only options](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-format-selector-16-9.jpg) Switch from Audio Only to 16:9 to enable the video canvas. ## Add a Cover Image With the video canvas active, open the **Images** panel from the right sidebar. Click **Upload** to add your own image — a podcast thumbnail, a Canva design, or any cover artwork you have prepared. ![Riverside Images panel open in the sidebar showing Upload button, search for royalty-free images, auto generate b-roll option, and recently uploaded images](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-images-panel-upload.jpg) The Images panel lets you upload your own cover art or search royalty-free images. Once uploaded, click the image to add it to the canvas. If it is a landscape image that does not fill the entire preview area, use the **Fill Video** button (the expand icon in the toolbar above the image) to make it fit the full screen. ![Riverside editor showing a podcast cover image added to the video canvas with selection handles and a Make video, Replace toolbar](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-landscape-image-added-1.jpg) The uploaded cover image appears on the canvas with selection handles and a toolbar for adjustments. ### Handling Square Images If your cover image is square rather than widescreen, it will not fill the entire 16:9 canvas. You have two options: leave the surrounding area black, or set a custom background color to blend with your design. To set the background, deselect the image and click **Background** at the top of the preview. Use the color picker to choose a color that matches your artwork — typically a dark shade works well. ![Riverside background color picker dialog showing hue slider and hex color input with a square podcast cover image behind it](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-background-color-picker.jpg) Use the background color picker to match the area around a square cover image. ## Extend the Image to the Full Episode Duration By default, Riverside adds the image for only about five seconds. For a static cover that should stay on screen the entire episode, you need to extend it manually. Zoom into the timeline using **Ctrl + mouse wheel** (Windows) or **Cmd + mouse wheel** (Mac). You will see the image as a thin slice at the beginning of the timeline. Select the image, then drag the right edge to extend it. Keep zooming out and dragging until the image snaps to the end of the timeline. ![Riverside editor showing the podcast cover image visible in the preview at the middle of the episode timeline, with transcript and waveforms below](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-image-full-episode-duration.jpg) After extending the image, it stays on screen throughout the entire episode — no matter where you scrub in the timeline. ## Export as Video When everything looks right, click **Share** in the top right corner and go to **Export**. Set the file type to **Video**, choose your quality (1080p HD is fine for a static image), and optionally enable **Normalize audio levels** or **Remove background noise**. Click **Export Video** to render and download your file. ![Riverside Share and Export panel showing Video file type, 1080p HD quality, normalize audio levels toggle, remove background noise toggle, and Export video button](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-export-video-dialog.jpg) Export as video with 1080p quality — the static image and your audio become a ready-to-upload video file. ## Tips ## Related Riverside Guides [Dynamic Zoom Edits in Riverside for Polished Podcasts![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/03/riverside-zoom-edits-thumbnail.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/dynamic-zoom-edits-riverside-polished-podcasts/) [How to Add Guest Names and Titles in the Riverside Editor After Recording![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/03/riverside-add-guest-names-titles.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-add-guest-names-and-titles-in-the-riverside-editor-after-recording/) [How to Invite an Editor to Your Riverside Account Without Sharing Full Access![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/03/riverside-invite-editor-thumbnail.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-invite-an-editor-to-your-riverside-account-without-sharing-full-access/) [How to Fix Choppy Audio and Video Cuts in Riverside![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/Choppy-Audio.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-fix-choppy-audio-and-video-cuts-in-riverside/) [Spotify episodes audio-only when hosting podcast with Riverside?I host my show on Riverside and recently ran into an issue: even when I publish a video episode from Riverside, Spotify displays it as audio-only.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2025/12/c9ee7bbf-af11-40b6-b4c2-e212264b8a5c.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/add-video-spotify-podcasts-riverside-workaround/) If you're eager to learn more about Riverside and wish to have a one-on-one Riverside coaching session, feel free to book a call with me. I'm here to help you with any questions you have and to guide you through the best workflows, tips, workarounds, or just answer any questions you may have! [Book a session ](https://cotovan.com/coaching) ## Free Riverside Tips, Tricks, and Training in Your Inbox I create regular training content on [Riverside.fm](https://cotovan.com/riverside) \- if you're trying to learn the platform, I intend to teach all the ins and outs. Subscribe here and when a new article or video goes live, you'll be the first to know! Subscribe for free Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. - My recommendation is to record with video if possible, but if you have audio-only episodes, this workflow gets them onto YouTube quickly. - You can also add **captions**, **brand elements**, and **text overlays** before exporting to make the video more engaging. - If you have multiple speakers on a single audio file, [Riverside](https://cotovan.com/riverside) can automatically separate them — just specify the number of speakers during upload.