Modern smartphones offer an often overlooked feature that allows you to record an audio track almost immediately whenever we need it. The iPhone and many Android devices integrate a voice recording application into the operating system. There is a wide variety of free applications that can do this but offer much more functionality. You can use these tools to record your thoughts, a class at school, a meeting, a concert, and more.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: iPhone
Step 1. Launch the "Voice Memos" app
This application allows you to record audio tracks on your iPhone. You can find it in the "Extra" or "Utility" folder.
Step 2. To start a new recording, press the red "Rec" button
Your device will immediately proceed to record audio from the built-in microphone.
Step 3. Orient the bottom of the iPhone towards the sound source you want to record
To get the best quality recording possible, you need to point the bottom of the iPhone (where the microphone is located) towards the audio source you want to record. Make sure your hands are not covering the device's microphone. To get good audio quality, also make sure you keep some distance between you and the sound source.
Step 4. When you want to temporarily stop recording, press the "Stop" button
To resume it, press the "Rec" button again. If you want to resume recording from a specific point, drag the appropriate slider to where you want.
Step 5. To name the audio track, tap "New Recording"
A text box and the virtual keyboard of the iPhone will be displayed, with which you can enter the name to be assigned to the audio track just recorded.
Step 6. To listen to the recording again, press the "Play" button
This way you will be able to listen to what has been recorded and decide whether or not to save it on the device. You can start playback from a specific point by acting on the appropriate slider.
Step 7. To edit the audio track press the "Edit" button
The edit button is characterized by a blue box from which two lines come out at two corners. This button is located to the right of the recording name.
Drag the selection bars to highlight the portion of the recording you want to remove. When finished press the "Delete" button to delete the selected audio. Alternatively, press the "Cut" button to delete the unselected parts of the recording
Step 8. Once you are satisfied with the recorded audio track, press the "Finish" button
If you have not yet given your registration a name, you will be prompted to do so now.
Step 9. Play your recordings
Any audio you have recorded can be played using the "Voice Memos" application. Select an audio track to display the playback controls bar. To share your recording with whoever you want, you can press the "Share" button. If you want to cut out a specific section of the recording, use the "Edit" button, if you want to delete what you have recorded, press the trash can button.
Step 10. Use another audio capture application
Within the Apple App Store there is a wide variety of applications capable of recording an audio track that may provide you with additional functionality or be more suited to your needs. Go to the App Store and search using the following string "voice recorder". You will be presented with a large list of results, but, before making your choice, be sure to read user reviews to understand if the application in question is really suitable for your purposes.
Some applications may give you the ability to add audio effects, save the file in different formats, change sound levels, perform advanced edits, and much more
Method 2 of 3: Android
Step 1. Search for the application to record an audio track within your device
Each Android device is different and each manufacturer or telephone company provides different applications for this purpose. Precisely for this reason, unlike iOS devices, there is no single audio recording app on Android. A dedicated app may already be installed on your device, but if not, you can easily download one from the Play Store.
Look for an application named "Recorder", "Voice Recorder", "Memo", "Notes", etc
Step 2. Download an application from the Google Play Store
If you can't find the audio recording app installed on your device, you can find an alternative from the Google Play Store quickly and easily. Many of these applications are free.
- Go to the Google Play Store and search using the string "voice recorder".
- Browse the results list to find the application that meets all your needs. There are thousands of audio capture apps, some are free while others need to be purchased. Check the app rating to get an instant idea of how much other users like it. Tap the app of your interest to view the page containing detailed information and related images.
- When you've found the right app you want to try, hit the "Install" button. If it is a paid application, before you can install it via the "Install" button, you will need to press the button that indicates the price and proceed with the purchase.
Step 3. Launch the newly installed app
Once you have identified, downloaded and installed it, you will find its icon in the "Applications" panel of your device. Tap it to launch the application. You can access the "Applications" panel by pressing the grid-shaped button at the bottom of the "Home" screen. The application interface varies from program to program, so general guidelines will be explained in this section of the article.
Step 4. Press the "Rec" button to start a new recording
When you launch your new audio capture app, normally, the screen to record a new audio track appears. Alternatively, a list of all your existing recordings may be displayed.
Step 5. Point the bottom of your Android device towards the audio source you want to record
Most Android smartphones and tablets have the microphone installed at the bottom. Make sure your hands don't cover the device's microphone while recording.
Step 6. Press the "Pause" button to temporarily stop recording
Normally this step stops the recording but does not save it, allowing you to resume it whenever you want.
Step 7. Press the "Stop" button to permanently stop recording
In this way, generally, the audio track captured so far is automatically saved in the internal memory of the device, but the process may vary from one application to another.
Step 8. Edit the registration
Most audio capture applications integrate some basic editing functions, allowing you to eliminate unnecessary parts of the recording. Normally the "Edit" button is displayed at the end of the recording session.
Step 9. Share your audio
Press the "Share" button to send your registration to another user using a messaging application. Most audio track capture apps save recordings in "WAV" or "MP3" format, ensuring compatibility with virtually all devices on the market.
Method 3 of 3: Windows Phone
Step 1. Launch the "OneNote" app
To record voice memos quickly and easily, you can use the "OneNote" application integrated into the operating system of your Windows Phone. You can find "OneNote" in the list of installed applications.
Step 2. Press the "+" button
This will create a new note within the "OneNote" app.
Step 3. Tap the body of the note, then press the "Audio" button
The button in question is characterized by a microphone. The "OneNote" app will immediately start recording an audio track.
Step 4. When finished recording press the "Stop" button to stop the audio capture
The recording will automatically be added to your note.
Step 5. Press the "Play" button to listen to what you have recorded
Playback of the recording attached to the note will start.
Step 6. If you need more options or features, download a different audio capture application
"OneNote" does not offer a tool for advanced audio editing or even for sharing captured recordings. If you need more functionality, then download an alternative app from the Windows Store. There are several applications available for audio capture. Here is a short list of the most used:
- Voice Memos
- Mini Recorder
- Ultimate Recorder
