When the audio feed drops during a keynote speech, nobody blames the internet connection—they blame the organizer. In the high-stakes arena of global conferences, the margin for error is effectively zero.

For meeting planners, the rapid shift to virtual and hybrid events created a specific dilemma: Do you stick with the ubiquity of Zoom, or do you invest in specialized Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) platforms like KUDO, Interprefy, or VoiceBoxer?

The answer isn’t a simple binary. It depends entirely on the "risk profile" of your event, the complexity of your language needs, and—crucially—the technical architecture supporting the interpreters.

The Default Contender: Zoom

Best for: Internal meetings, webinars, and events with

Zoom is the 800-pound gorilla of video conferencing. Its primary advantage is frictionless entry. Your attendees already have the app installed, and they know where the "mute" button is.

In 2022, Zoom rolled out enhanced interpretation features, allowing for multiple audio channels. For straightforward, bi-directional interpretation (e.g., English Spanish), it is functional and cost-effective.

The "Hidden" Downsides:

However, professional interpreters often struggle with Zoom’s audio architecture.

• Audio Compression: Zoom aggressively compresses audio to prioritize video stability. This "lossy" audio strips away high and low frequencies, increasing the cognitive load on interpreters who rely on acoustic precision to differentiate similar-sounding words.

• No "Boothmate" Features: In a physical booth, interpreters work in pairs, using hand signals to switch turns. Zoom lacks a native "handover" function, forcing interpreters to use WhatsApp or separate back-channels to coordinate, which is a recipe for missed information.

• Relay Limitations: If you have a speaker using Mandarin, an interpreter translating to English, and another translating that English into French, you need "Relay Interpreting." Zoom's relay capabilities are clunky compared to specialized tools, often resulting in latency or audio bleed.

The Specialist: Dedicated RSI Platforms

Best for: UN-style conferences, legal proceedings, medical summits, and events with 4+ languages.

Platforms built specifically for interpretation treat audio as the primary asset, not an afterthought. They are designed to mimic the ISO-compliant hardware found in physical interpreter booths.

Why They Win on Quality:

1. High-Fidelity Audio: These platforms support higher bitrates and lower latency, ensuring interpreters hear every nuance.

2. The "Soft Console": Interpreters get a dedicated dashboard that allows for seamless handovers, independent volume control for floor/relay channels, and "cough buttons"—features that directly impact translation accuracy.

3. Granular Control: Technicians can route specific audio channels to specific user groups, preventing the chaos of attendees hearing two languages at once.

The Verdict: A Feature Comparison

To make an informed decision, compare the architectural differences:

The Missing Variable: The Human Technical Layer

Here is the reality that software sales pages won't tell you: The platform matters less than the pilot.

You can license the most expensive RSI platform on the market, but if you lack a dedicated technical moderator to manage the audio routing, handle interpreter handovers, and troubleshoot end-user issues, the event can still fail. Conversely, a professionally managed Zoom event can sound pristine if the audio inputs are routed through a hardware hub before hitting the stream.

This is where the concept of Managed RSI Support becomes the deciding factor.

Interpretation is not just about translating words; it is about the localized delivery of content. It requires a partner who understands the full lifecycle of linguistic data—from the live event stream to the post-event subtitles and accessibility compliance.

Ensuring Success with Artlangs Translation

This is where Artlangs Translation bridges the gap between technology and execution. We don't just provide interpreters; we provide the technical backbone that makes them sound their best, regardless of the platform you choose.

With a network covering 230+ languages, Artlangs has evolved beyond traditional translation into a full-spectrum localization powerhouse. Our experience runs deep—spanning complex video localization, short drama subtitling, and the nuanced requirements of game localization.

We understand that modern content is multifaceted. Whether it is high-stakes multilingual dubbing for audiobooks or precise data annotation and transcription for AI training, our workflow is rigorously tested.

How we support your event:

• Platform Agnostic Consultancy: We advise whether your event needs the simplicity of Zoom or the power of a dedicated RSI tool.

• Technical Monitoring: We provide live technical support to monitor audio feeds, ensuring seamless handovers and zero downtime.

• Post-Event Localization: Leveraging our years of experience in short drama and video localization, we can rapidly turn your live event recording into a global asset with professional subtitles and dubbing.

Don't leave your global communication to chance (or a bad internet connection). Let Artlangs Translation manage the complexity, so you can focus on the message.

Would you like me to prepare a custom technical checklist for your upcoming event to determine if Zoom or a Specialized Platform is the better fit?