How do you input audio on Android?

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to input audio on Android devices. It will cover the various methods for recording and importing audio using built-in hardware like microphones, USB microphones, and audio interfaces. The goal is to help Android users understand all the options available for producing high-quality audio recordings directly on their devices.

With audio playing an increasingly important role in our digital lives for voice communication, music, podcasts and more, knowing how to properly record and manage audio files on an Android device is a useful skill. Whether you want to record a personal memo, capture audio for a video project, create a podcast, or make music, this guide aims to give you the knowledge to get the best audio quality using Android’s onboard tools and accessories.

Microphone Input

All Android devices have a built-in microphone that can be used to record audio. Here’s how to record audio using your device’s microphone:

Open the Voice Recorder app which comes pre-installed on most Android devices. You can also download a voice recording app from the Play Store if you don’t have one.
Tap the red record button to start recording audio through the microphone.
Speak into the microphone on your device to record audio.

When you are done, tap the stop button to end the recording.
Your audio recording will be saved within the Voice Recorder app.

The built-in microphone can record audio decently well in close range. Make sure you speak directly into the microphone for best results. However, for professional recordings an external microphone is recommended.

Headset Input

Using a wired headset to record audio on your Android device is straightforward. Most headsets with an in-line microphone will work by simply plugging them into your device’s 3.5mm audio jack. When a headset is connected, the Android system will automatically switch to using it as the audio input source for recording.

To start recording using your wired headset:

Plug your headset into your device’s 3.5mm audio jack.

Open your preferred recording app, like the built-in Voice Recorder app.
Tap the record button and speak into the headset microphone.
Tap stop when you are done recording.

One caveat is that not all recording apps support headset microphone input, so you may need to try a few to find one that works properly. The standard Voice Recorder app included on most Android devices should have headset support.

Overall, using a wired headset for recording audio on Android is quick and easy. Just plug in your headset, launch a recording app, hit record, and start speaking into the mic. It’s a convenient hands-free way to capture audio memos or recordings on an Android device.

USB Microphone

Using an external USB microphone can significantly improve the audio quality when recording on your Android device. USB mics connect directly to your phone or tablet via the USB port or USB-C adapter. This allows the microphone to convert sound into a digital signal right on the mic, rather than relying on your device’s built-in analog-to-digital conversion. The result is higher audio resolution and fidelity.

USB microphones also tend to use higher quality components that reduce noise and improve frequency response. This leads to clearer, more professional sounding recordings. Many USB mics come with useful features like headphone jacks for monitoring, mute buttons, and volume controls.

Popular options for USB mics designed for mobile use include the Shure MV88 and Rode NT-USB Mini. These compact and portable mics simply plug into your Android device and allow you to capture audio evenly across a wide frequency range. They provide directional pickup patterns to isolate voice or ambient sounds. Overall, a USB microphone is a worthwhile upgrade if you want to record professional quality audio on your Android phone or tablet.

Audio Interfaces for Professional Recording

For professional audio input with XLR microphones or more advanced audio setups, an external audio interface is necessary. Audio interfaces convert the analog signals from mics and instruments into digital audio that can be recorded on your Android device.

Look for an audio interface that connects via USB-C or USB-OTG to supply phantom power for condenser mics. Some recommended models are the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1, or the PreSonus AudioBox iOne. With 1-2 XLR/TRS combo inputs, these compact interfaces provide studio-quality sound.

Using a dedicated audio interface bypasses the built-in preamps and AD/DA conversion, providing lower noise, higher gain levels, and overall better audio quality compared to a phone’s or tablet’s headphone jack. The interface’s phantom power, signal routing, monitoring, and physical controls optimize the recording experience.

Multitrack Recording

There are several apps on Android that allow you to record multiple audio tracks simultaneously for multitrack recording and music production. Two popular options are:

J4T Multitrack Recorder – This app lets you record up to 4 tracks at once, add effects, and mix down your recordings. It’s designed for capturing song ideas and demo tracks.

BandLab – BandLab is a full music creation app that offers unlimited multitrack recording. You can record vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums, and more on separate tracks and mix them together.

The key benefit of multitrack recording apps is the ability to record different instruments and vocals separately. This gives you much more flexibility and control during mixing and editing. You can refine each track individually to get the best sound before combining them into a complete song.

Editing Audio

Once you’ve recorded audio on your Android device, you’ll likely want to edit it in some way. There are a few different options for editing audio directly on an Android device:

One popular free audio editing app for Android is Lexis Audio Editor. This app allows you to cut, copy, paste, delete, insert, and amplify audio clips. You can apply various effects like normalize, fade in/out, change tempo, pitch shift, and more. Lexis Audio Editor makes it easy to edit your audio clips quickly right on your Android device.

Another option specifically for music production is FL Studio Mobile. This is a full-featured digital audio workstation optimized for Android devices. You can record, sequence, edit, mix and render complete songs. It includes synthesizers, drum kits, a mixer, effects, and more. If you want to produce music directly on your Android, FL Studio Mobile is a powerful option.

For simpler trimming and splicing of audio files, the built-in audio editing features in apps like Google Photos can work. You can crop audio clips, remove sections, and stitch multiple clips together into a single file.

There are many great options for editing audio files directly on your Android device, from robust multi-track editing apps to simple built-in audio trimming features. With the right app, you can edit your recordings and audio projects without needing to transfer files to a computer.

Sharing Audio

Once you have recorded or downloaded audio files on your Android device, you may want to share them with others. Here are some common ways to share audio files on Android:

You can share audio files directly from file managers like the native Files app or third-party options. Navigate to the audio file, press and hold to select it, then tap the share icon. This will bring up a menu with various sharing options like email, messaging apps, social media, etc. You can then choose how you want to send the file.

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive make sharing audio straightforward. Upload the audio files to cloud storage, then generate a shareable link that recipients can use to download the file. This avoids size limits imposed by email or messaging apps.

WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger allow sending audio files up to 16MB and 25MB in size respectively. Open a chat, tap attach, select audio, choose the file, and send. Keep in mind recipients will need to download the audio before playing.

You can also share audio files using third-party apps like Xender or ShareIt which allow cross-platform transfer via wifi or bluetooth without using mobile data. These may compress audio slightly to facilitate quicker sharing.

When sharing songs or music, streaming services like Spotify offer excellent integration on Android for sharing playlists, albums, or tracks with others who have accounts. This allows instant access without downloading large files.

Lastly, uploading audio files to sites like SoundCloud gives you a public link that anyone can use to play the audio. This makes sharing straightforward even with large files.

Audio Quality Tips

Getting high-quality audio recordings on your Android device requires using the right tools and techniques. Here are some tips to help you maximize audio quality:

Use a dedicated external microphone instead of your phone’s built-in mic. External mics like the Shure MV88 (https://www.popsci.com/record-better-smartphone-audio/) give you better directional pickup and higher overall audio quality.

Get close to the sound source for louder, cleaner audio. Position the mic within 1-2 feet of what you want to record.

Reduce background noise by finding a quiet location or using noise-canceling mics.

Boost the sample/bit rate in your recording app settings for better resolution. The lossless setting in Voice Memos captures higher fidelity (https://www.popsci.com/record-better-smartphone-audio/).

Use a windscreen on your mic to reduce wind buffeting noise when recording outdoors.

Monitor levels and aim for -12 to -6 dB on your recording meter to avoid distortion.

Use a tripod or mic stand to prevent handling noise.

Record a short test clip and listen back with headphones to check the quality.

With the right gear and techniques, you can capture studio-quality audio on an Android device.

Conclusion

In summary, audio input matters for Android users for several reasons. Being able to input high-quality audio enables users to record music, podcasts, and other audio content directly on their Android devices. Options like USB microphones, audio interfaces, and multitrack recording apps allow for professional-grade audio capture. Using the proper software and hardware results in clear recordings free of distortion or background noise. Additionally, Android’s audio focus system helps manage audio from multiple apps. With the ability to connect pro mics and utilize advanced audio features, Android provides a versatile platform for creative work and productivity. The wide range of input methods covered here demonstrate the flexibility Android offers to serve diverse audio needs.