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 straightforward so as to add vocals, narration, or harmonies on high of an present 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’ll be able to document cleanly even by way of the iPhone’s audio system. It is a fast approach to sketch musical concepts, create voiceovers, or observe timing with layered audio, all from a single machine.
Find out how to add a second monitor in Voice Memos
Layered recording is constructed straight into the Voice Memos app on supported gadgets. You may add a second monitor with no need additional tools, and the method takes only a few steps.
Go to the Voice Memos app within the Utilities folder in your iPhone.
Within the checklist of recordings, faucet the recording you need 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, whenever 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 all the time recorded in mono, whereas the unique could also be stereo if enabled in settings.
Left: you faucet the waveform on an present recording to begin. 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 conserving playback audio out of the microphone.
Modifying, sharing, and mixing
After recording, you’ll be able to fine-tune the end in a couple of methods.
Go to the Voice Memos app within the Utilities folder in your iPhone.
Faucet the layered recording you need 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 working iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later. If you should share the recording with somebody on an older machine, 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 Executed 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’ll be able to 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 Information.
Then you’ll be able to import the layered recording into Logic Professional for iPad for enhancing. The 2 layers open robotically 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 instrument for each artistic and sensible audio work. Musicians can rapidly document vocals over an instrumental monitor, capturing music concepts or harmonies with no need studio software program.
Layered recording is constructed straight 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 would not robotically duck the degrees of 1 monitor below the opposite, so the narrator must time their talking to keep away from complicated overlaps.
The function can also be helpful for observe and studying. Language learners can document a phrase after which layer their very own response to trace progress or examine pronunciation.
Storytellers can mix background music with spoken phrase to create extra immersive audio clips completely inside 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 manage the quantity stability between tracks.
If you would like extra management, you’ll be able to export the layered memo to Logic Professional 11.1 or in a while macOS Sequoia or Logic Professional for iPad 2.1 or in a while iPadOS 18.2. The app will acknowledge the 2 tracks individually, permitting for superior enhancing, results, or extra layers.
Whereas Voice Memos solely helps two tracks per recording, the simplicity helps maintain recordsdata manageable and the interface intuitive. For extra advanced initiatives, you’ll be able to transition to apps like GarageBand or Logic Professional.
Know the constraints
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 all the time mono. There aren’t any built-in choices for results or multi-track mixing past primary quantity management.
Even with these limits, layered Voice Memos supply a helpful, transportable 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.
