Top Tools for Recording Sound Through External Microphone on Android

Are you looking to record audio externally using your Android phone? This guide will help you understand the process and recommend top tools for achieving high-quality external audio recording.

Understanding External Recording on Android

Recording sound externally on an Android device requires a bit of technical know-how, especially if you're trying to spy on the neighbors—though we do not support or encourage any illegal or unethical activities. For legitimate purposes, like podcasting, music production, or journalism, there are several methods and tools available to you.

Direct USB Connection via TASCAM or Zoom Devices

If you're serious about recording high-quality sound, consider using dedicated audio recorders such as the TASCAM DR40 or Zoom H4. These devices offer superior sound quality and are specifically designed for external microphone recording. They also provide additional features like built-in mics, preamps, and flexible recording options.

Using Band Lab or Easy Voice Recorder

For a more user-friendly experience, both Band Lab and Easy Voice Recorder are great choices. These applications allow you to directly connect your external microphone to the device. However, note that these apps may require an interface to connect to the Android USB input, thus requiring some setup and technical knowledge.

Computer-Based Audio Recording

When it comes to recording audio on a computer, you can utilize the sound card output for recording. Soundcards digitize any audio signal that enters them, whether it's from your built-in microphone, an external microphone, or even the audio coming from a call. Most recording software can capture this digital signal once the proper settings are configured.

Setting Up External Microphone on Computer

To switch from your computer's built-in microphone to an external one, you need to navigate to your sound settings and select your external microphone as the input source. For recording software, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is an excellent choice because it is free, easy to use, and supports both desktop and microphone audio recording.

Recording for Music and Podcasting

For music production, Joel IsonKeys provided a fantastic resource with budget-friendly software options that support external microphones, such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations).

If you're recording for a podcast or similar format, Audacity is an excellent, free, and easy-to-use software. Despite its occasional bugs, it has a vast online support community and is particularly user-friendly. Audacity allows you to connect and record multiple external microphones simultaneously, which can be very useful for podcasting or other multi-source audio recording needs.

Conclusion

Whether you're on the go or at home, there are plenty of tools and methods to record high-quality sound through an external microphone on your Android device or a computer. Choose the one that best fits your needs, whether it's a dedicated recorder for professional use or a simple yet effective software for personal projects. Happy recording!