Musicians, podcasters, and storytellers can now layer vocals and narration over any recording utilizing Voice Memos and iPhone 16 Professional or iPhone 16 Professional Max.
Musicians and content material creators can now flip their iPhone 16 Professional or iPhone 16 Professional Max into a transportable two-track recorder utilizing a brand new layered recording function in Voice Memos. Launched in iOS 18.2, the function makes it simple so as to add vocals, narration, or harmonies on high of an current memo with out exterior gear or third-party apps.
Layered recording makes use of the A18 Professional chip’s superior processing to isolate your voice from playback audio, so you may document cleanly even via the iPhone’s audio system. It is a fast approach to sketch musical concepts, create voiceovers, or apply timing with layered audio, all from a single gadget.
How one can add a second monitor in Voice Memos
Layered recording is constructed instantly into the Voice Memos app on supported gadgets. You may add a second monitor with no need additional tools, and the method takes just some steps.
- Go to the Voice Memos app within the Utilities folder in your iPhone.
- Within the checklist of recordings, faucet the recording you wish to add a vocal layer to, then faucet to view the waveform.
- Faucet the document button, then document your second layer.
The primary time you do that, once you faucet on the waveform, iOS will present you a popup message subsequent to the document button, saying “Add a Vocal Layer.” After the primary time, you simply get the button.
The app will mark the memo with a layered icon. The second monitor is at all times recorded in mono, whereas the unique could also be stereo if enabled in settings.
Left: you faucet the waveform on an current recording to start out. Proper: faucet the pink “2” button to start recording the second monitor
Though the function works with out headphones, utilizing AirPods or wired headphones can enhance readability by preserving playback audio out of the microphone.
Modifying, sharing, and mixing
After recording, you may fine-tune the lead to a number of methods.
- Go to the Voice Memos app within the Utilities folder in your iPhone.
- Faucet the layered recording you wish to combine.
- Faucet to view the waveform, then faucet the combination button.
- Drag the Layer Combine slider to combine the layers.
Layered memos are saved in a QuickTime Audio (.qta) format, which solely works on gadgets operating iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later. If you’ll want to share the recording with somebody on an older gadget, separating the tracks is probably the most appropriate possibility.
- Go to the Voice Memos app within the Utilities folder in your iPhone.
- Whereas viewing the waveform, faucet the choices button, then faucet Separate Layers.
- Faucet Carried out to return to the checklist of recordings.
The 2 layers seem as separate recordings within the checklist. You may choose them, edit them, and play them individually.
Import layered recordings into Logic Professional
If Voice Memos is turned on in iCloud settings, you may open a layered recording out of your iPhone in your iPad the place you are signed in to the identical Apple Account. You may export the recording to Recordsdata.
Then you may import the layered recording into Logic Professional for iPad for modifying. The 2 layers open routinely as two distinct tracks in Logic Professional 11.1.1 or later.
Finest makes use of for layered recording
Layered recording in Voice Memos makes the iPhone a surprisingly versatile software for each inventive and sensible audio work. Musicians can rapidly document vocals over an instrumental monitor, capturing tune concepts or harmonies with no need studio software program.
Layered recording is constructed instantly into the Voice Memos app
Conceivably, podcasters and content material creators can add narration to interviews, ambient recordings, or different audio clips, creating layered segments with minimal effort. However the function does not routinely duck the degrees of 1 monitor underneath the opposite, so the narrator must time their chatting with keep away from complicated overlaps.
The function can also be helpful for apply and studying. Language learners can document a phrase after which layer their very own response to trace progress or evaluate pronunciation.
Storytellers can mix background music with spoken phrase to create extra immersive audio clips fully throughout the app.
To get the perfect outcomes, begin with a clear, constant first recording. Allow Stereo Recording in Settings if accessible, because the second layer can be mono. Through the layering course of, use the pause and resume instruments to excellent particular components. After recording, alter the Layer Combine slider to regulate the quantity steadiness between tracks.
If you need extra management, you may export the layered memo to Logic Professional 11.1 or afterward macOS Sequoia or Logic Professional for iPad 2.1 or afterward iPadOS 18.2. The app will acknowledge the 2 tracks individually, permitting for superior modifying, results, or extra layers.
Whereas Voice Memos solely helps two tracks per recording, the simplicity helps hold recordsdata manageable and the interface intuitive. For extra complicated initiatives, you may transition to apps like GarageBand or Logic Professional.
Know the restrictions
Solely the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max help layered recording. The function will not seem on older iPhones, even when they run iOS 18.2.
Every memo helps a most of two layers, and the second monitor is at all times mono. There aren’t any built-in choices for results or multi-track mixing past fundamental quantity management.
Even with these limits, layered Voice Memos supply a helpful, moveable approach to experiment with audio. For musicians, content material creators, and learners, it turns the iPhone right into a easy however highly effective two-track recorder that matches in your pocket.