Having issues when setting up your recording device? Choose a category below and select your platform to find specific resolution steps.
I can't connect my recording device
Basic Checks
- Check the input on your Recording Device
- Ensure that your Input gain is up
- Check your System settings to see if the input is connected
- Check that the Input Signal is being detected
- Ensure that the Input levels in your System settings are within a healthy range
- Test the Input device on a different Software/Tab
- Check if the sound setting in your Chrome Browser is configured correctly
- Check if the Input device is connected in your Studio
Connecting your input device
Ensure your operating system recognises the device before opening the browser.
- For PC: Right-click the Speaker Icon in the taskbar Sound settings. Under Input, select your device.
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For Mac: Navigate to System Settings Sound Input and select your microphone.
Browser Permissions (Google Chrome)
BandLab works best on Google Chrome. Ensure the site has permission to access your hardware:
- Click the Lock or Slider Icon next to the URL in the address bar.
- Ensure Microphone is toggled to Allow.
- Go to Site Settings > Privacy and Security> USB devices and set to Ask.
Connection issues with USB devices
If you're using an Audio interface or USB Microphones:
- Check whether your device appears in your system's Sound Settings.
- Check your system's input level and volume in your system's sound settings.
- Check the cable for the audio interface and ensure that the correct cable is used (Some USB-C cables may not be able to send sufficient power or may not transfer data)
- Update your interface's firmware
- If you are experiencing crashes on Windows when opening the studio, change your sample rate to 44.1 kHz.
Basic Checks
- Test the input using your iOS device (e.g., Voice Memos or a recording app)
- Ensure the input gain and levels are properly set on your connected device or audio interface
- Verify that BandLab has permission to access your microphone
- Check that the input levels are within a healthy range (if your app or interface provides a level meter)
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Verify that your external input (mic or audio interface) is properly connected via Lightning/USB-C and recognised by the device
iOS Setup
BandLab requires you to manually set up your input device in the Studio Settings. Here's how:
- Open the Studio and tap Settings.
- Select your device under Input Device.
If the device isn't appearing:
- Go to your iPhone/iPad Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and ensure BandLab is toggled ON.
- Check if the "Silent Mode" switch on the side of your device is affecting output.
Connection issues with USB devices
If you're using an Audio interface or USB Microphones:
- Try switching your OTG adapter with an External Powered USB hub, as the power draw from mobile devices may not be sufficient to power up your device.
- Play audio through the USB interface using some "regular" app, like Spotify to see if the interface is supported
- Check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure your recording device is Class Compliant and Compatible with iOS devices.
- Check the cable for the audio interface and ensure that the correct cable is used (Some USB-C cables may not be able to send sufficient power or may not transfer data)
- Update your interface's firmware
Basic Checks
- Test the input using your Android device (e.g., Voice Recorder or a recording app)
- Ensure the input gain and levels are properly set on your connected device or audio interface
- Verify that BandLab has permission to access the microphone
- Check that the input levels are within a healthy range (if your app or interface provides a level meter)
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Verify that your external input (mic or audio interface) is properly connected via USB-C and recognized by the device
Android Optimization
Due to the variety of Android hardware, some devices require Audio Safe Mode to bypass driver conflicts.
- Open the Studio and tap the Gear icon
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- Scroll to Troubleshooting and enable Audio Safe Mode.
Additional Android checks:
- Go to System Settings > Apps > BandLab > Permissions > Microphone > Allow only while using the app.
Note: Audio Safe Mode helps with connection issues and "crackling" sounds but may slightly increase latency.
Connection issues with USB devices
If you're using an Audio interface or USB Microphones:
- Try switching your OTG adapter with an External Powered USB hub, as the power draw from mobile devices may not be sufficient to power up your device.
- Play audio through the USB interface using some "regular" app, like Spotify to see if the interface is supported
- Check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure your recording device is Class Compliant and Compatible with Android devices.
- Check the cable for the audio interface and ensure that the correct cable is used (Some USB-C cables may not be able to send sufficient power or do not transfer data)
- Update your interface's firmware
Common issues with recording devices
Pro Hardware Troubleshooting
- Phantom Power (48V): If using a Condenser Mic, ensure the 48V button is pressed. Dynamic mics do not need this.
- Input levels: Increase the Input Gain knob while performing to ensure that you are receiving signal from your Microphone/instrument (Applies to USB Microphone).
- Direct Monitor: If you can only hear yourself and nothing from the Studio, turn off the "Direct Monitor" on your interface.
- Instrument test: Check the volume knob on your instrument.
- Cable test: Test your instrument with a different cable.
- Active pickups/ DI Boxes: Check your batteries for active DI boxes.
- The Amp test: Check your instrument with an amplifier to determine if the instrument is faulty.
- Extra volume controls: Check if there is any volume control function for your Microphone.
- Wrong cables: Ensure that you're using the correct cable (XLR Male-to-Female cable) for microphones and Instrument/Line cables for your specific instrument/hardware.
Standard Headsets & Mics
The "Wiggle" Test: Ensure the jack is pushed firmly into the port. A half-connected plug is the #1 cause of "ghost" audio or mono sound.
The Mute Switch: It sounds obvious, but check for a physical mute slider on the headset cable or the ear cup. We’ve all been there!
Cross-Platform Test: Plug the headset into a different device (e.g., a phone or another laptop). If the issue follows the headset, the hardware is likely the culprit.
Clean the Connection: A tiny bit of lint in a 3.5mm port can prevent a clean connection. A quick puff of compressed air usually does the trick.
Bluetooth Limitations
- Re-pair: Forget the device in system settings and reconnect.
- Disable Assistant: Turn off "Hey Google" or "Siri," as they can "hijack" the microphone during recording.
- Are you too far from your device?: Try to maintain a close proximity range with your device
- Turn off power saver mode: Some devices may no longer be discoverable upon activating power saver mode.
Note: Bluetooth is great for listening, but challenging for recording due to latency (delay) and connection issues. We always recommend using a wired device for recording.
No sound despite connecting properly
In-Studio Checks
- Monitoring: Ensure the Monitoring toggle is ON in the track settings to hear yourself while recording.
- Master Fader: Check that the Master volume at the bottom right isn't muted.
- Hardware Solo/Mute: Ensure no other tracks are on "Solo" (S), which mutes everything else.
- Fader check: Check your track's volume fader and Master to see if it's low.
- Is it the FX?: Create a new track in the Studio to see if your fx settings may be causing the issue.
Device Check
- Is another tab/software using your Mic?: Close every other tab on your Chrome browser.
- Could it be the permissions?: Disable and re-enable your Microphone permission setting again to see if an update might have caused a bug.
- Could be the browser itself: Reinstall Chrome or try using a different browser.
Note
- If you're using a USB mic, you can connect it directly to your device's USB port without needing an audio interface
- BandLab Web only supports up to 2 channels per track (Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 1 + 2)
In-Studio Checks
- Monitoring: Ensure the Monitoring toggle is ON in the track settings to hear yourself while recording.
- Master Fader: Check that the Master volume at the bottom right isn't muted.
- Hardware Solo/Mute: Ensure no other tracks are on "Solo" (S), which mutes everything else.
- Fader check: Check your track's volume fader and Master to see if it's low.
- Is it the FX?: Create a new track in the Studio to see if your fx settings may be causing the issue.
Device Check
- Is another app using your Mic?: Close other apps that are running in the background.
- Voice assistant: Turn off AI Voice assistance since it may be actively using your microphone.
- Turn off Battery Saver mode.
Note
- If you're using a USB mic, you can connect it directly to your device's USB port without needing an audio interface.
- Only the first input channel of your Audio interface will be used as the main input for mobile devices
- You can report any issues directly from the Studio by going to Settings -> Report issue.
Still having issues? Contact us here!
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