How to Record from Mixer to Phone

PDF download Download Article
A guide to using free Android & iPhone apps to record live audio from your mixer
PDF download Download Article

If you want to create music or sounds with your mixer but want them on your phone, you can do that. This wikiHow will teach you how to record from a mixer to your Android or iPhone. You'll need to download third-party software for an Android that has the features you need to change audio sources (like BandLab), but GarageBand should come pre-installed on an iPhone and already have the capability to record from external audio. You'll also need some adapter cables (like a TRS to TRRS cable or a Lightning/USB to TRRS cable).

Things You Should Know

  • If your phone that doesn't have an audio jack, you'll need a Lightning to TRRS (iPhone) or USB to TRRS (Android) adapter.
  • On an Android, you can download BandLab for free to record audio tracks from your mixer.
  • On an iPhone, you can use the GarageBand app already installed on your phone to record.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-1.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a free app offered by BandLab that will allow you to use sound input from your mixer when you record.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you don't have two ¼ ports as "Out" ports on your mixer, you may need XLR to TRS converters instead.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-3.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your phone does not have an audio jack, you'll need a USB to TRRS adapter for your USB port; however, if you're using the USB adapter or not, you need to plug the TRRS end of the adapter (the jack-end of the plug) into your phone.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Earlier, you connected two ¼ cables into the "Out" ports on your mixer, so you'll now plug the other end into the adapter going into your phone.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-5.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Add tracks to your app by tapping the red Create button and choose Guitar/Bass to use the mixer's sounds. [1]
    • Test the input by checking the "Source" meter in the bottom left corner of the Mix Editor; the level should be moving to indicate the sounds it's picking up.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-6.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you're done recording, tap that icon again. [2]
    • If you want to share the recording, tap the cloud icon in the top right corner of your screen.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

iPhone

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you don't have two ¼ ports as "Out" ports on your mixer, you may need XLR to TRS converters instead.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-8.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your phone does not have an audio jack, you'll need a Lightning-to-TRRS adapter for your Lightning port so you need to plug the TRRS end of the adapter (the jack-end of the plug) into your phone.
    • All iPhones later than 7 don't have an audio jack and need this TRRS adapter.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Earlier, you connected two ¼ cables into the "Out" ports on your mixer, so you'll now plug the other end into the adapter going into your phone.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-10.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can tap Open from the App Store once the app is done installing or you can find the app icon on one of your Home screens.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-11.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap the input icon next to the level meter to switch to an external sound source. [3]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-12.jpg\/aid12361464-v4-728px-Record-from-Mixer-to-Phone-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you're done recording, tap that icon again and your audio file will be saved with your other audio files.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Every TRS-to-XLR converter I see on Amazon has a 3-prong male end! That does not plug into the TRS-to-TRRS cable! I have an audio jack on my Android! The mixer has one output jack!
    66cccfff
    Community Answer
    Try the keyword 'Combo audio adapter' on Amazon. The cable with a TRRS jack at one end and two TRS female sockets at the other end is the correct choice. Also, a 3.5mm TRS-to-female-XLR-converter is required to make the connection.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you're using an iPhone and your audio does not sound great or you're having troubles with this, try a USB audio interface.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      • The Roland GO:Mixer is highly recommended and does not need a bunch of cables or adapters.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • TRS to TRRS adapter
      • 1/8 Inch TRS Stereo to Dual 1/4 inch TS Mono Y-Splitter Cable 3.5mm Aux Mini Jack to Jack Breakout Cord - 3.3 feet
      • USB or Lightning to TRRS adapter (if your phone does not have an audio jack)

      You Might Also Like

      How To Use Your Android or iPhone as a Mic for Your Computer
      How to
      Find Saved Audio Messages on an iPhone
      How to
      Record High-Quality Audio on Your Mobile Phone
      4 Easy Ways to Record Voice or Audio on a Windows Computer
      Simple Ways to Record Audio on Windows
      How to
      Record Audio with VLC Media Player
      How to
      Make a Pop Filter
      Simple Steps to Compose Music Using GarageBand
      How to
      Make an MP3 File on Windows, macOS, & Linux
      How to
      Extract Audio CD Using VLC Player
      How to
      Record Conversations
      How to
      Make a Recording Studio
      How to
      Make a Song on GarageBand
      How to
      Use Auto Tune
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://blog.bandlab.com/mix-editor/
      2. ↑ https://help.bandlab.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002945153-Getting-started-on-BandLab
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/garageband-iphone/record-sounds-with-the-audio-recorder-chs39283a21/ios

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Download Open Camera from the Google Play Store (Android) or ProMovie Recorder + from the App Store (iPhone).
      2. Connect your ¼ cables into the mixer's "Out" ports.
      3. Connect the TRS to TRRS adapter into your phone.
      4. Plug in the mixing board to the open end of the TRS to TRRS adapter.
      5. Set the Open Camera app or ProMovie Recorder + app to use the sound from an external source.
      6. Press the red circular button to begin recording from your video camera and picking up audio from your mixer.

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 82,234 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement