Having issues when setting up your recording device? Choose a category below and select your platform to find specific resolution steps.
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.
- 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.
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
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
.
- Scroll to Troubleshooting and enable Audio Safe Mode.
Note: Audio Safe Mode helps with connection issues and "crackling" sounds but may slightly increase latency.
Additional Android checks:
- Go to System Settings > Apps > BandLab > Permissions > Microphone > Allow only while using the app.
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
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.
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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