Track View

Arrangement View

Track Menu

We hope you’re enjoying BandLab Studio on web and on your mobile device. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Drop us a message at bnd.la/contact-us.

Read on to discover helpful tips to kickstart your music-making journey on BandLab. Learn how to navigate this free DAW, and get the most out of your experience here with features like Automation, Voice Cleaner, and audio presets. 

For a step-by-step guide on using BandLab Studio, check out our quick tutorial.

What kind of tracks can I create in BandLab?

The possibilities are endless! With BandLab, you have access to a wide array of tools and virtual instruments to suit your creative needs. Whether you’re recording audio, making beats on Looper, or editing MIDI tracks, we’ve got you sorted.

  • Voice/Audio – Record sounds with your phone’s built-in microphone or a connected audio interface
  • Virtual Instruments – Choose from over 370 free professionally-designed virtual instruments
  • Looper – Whip up quick beats by triggering pre-made Loop Packs with this free beat-maker tool
  • Guitar – Plug in your guitar and use BandLab as a guitar amp with over 30 presets to choose from
  • Bass – Plug in your bass guitar and use BandLab as a bass guitar amp with over 30 presets to choose from
  • Import Track – Import mp3, mp4 or wav files to use as a backing track
  • BandLab Sounds – Create music with more than 100,000 royalty-free samples, spanning guitar, drum pads, synths, vocals, and more

All your projects are synced through the cloud and available from any of your devices with full compatibility.

Pro tip – For best results on Vocal, Guitar or Bass tracks, use a portable audio interface like the BandLab Link Analog or IK Multimedia iRig.

Can I hear myself when recording audio tracks in BandLab?

Yes! The technical term for this is Input Monitoring and it is only available on Voice/Audio, Guitar, and Bass tracks. To get the best results with this feature, you will need wired headphones.

Once you have your headphones plugged in, tap on the Gear Icon on the top of the screen to access the settings screen. Under Additional Settings, turn on Monitoring. You’ll know the feature is on if you can hear yourself via your headphones.

Another way to turn on Input Monitoring is by tapping on the headphone icon in the Track View.

I’m a rapper/vocalist – can I see/write lyrics while recording?

To view/write lyrics and record at the same time, tap the Pen Icon on the top menu bar.

When you add lyrics to your project, they’ll be accessible to all your collaborators, as well as from any device you access BandLab on. You’ll never lose a song idea again!

Can I add vocal effects to my tracks on BandLab?

Yes you can! Choose from a huge, free selection of professional-quality, real-time effects for all track types. Vocalists and rappers can explore hundreds of audio and vocal presets by tapping on the +Fx button on an instrument or vocal track. 

Explore sounds in our presets library, and easily apply your chosen preset to your track. You can even create and share your own presets, or discover and save trending ones crafted by fellow BandLab creators.

Need a pitch correction tool to hit the right notes? Use AutoPitch to pitch-shift your recorded vocals, or create unique sounds with vocal effects like Big Harmony, Duet, Robot and Modern Rap. If you’re subscribed to Membership, you’ll unlock bonus effects like Yummy, Simulacrum, Gorgon, and more.

Pro tip – if you were recording a Voice Memo on your iPhone and liked the way that sounded, you’ll enjoy the Voice Note preset.

How can I remove background noise from my vocal recordings on BandLab?

BandLab offers two background noise solutions to cut out unwanted sounds from your vocal recordings: Denoise and Voice Cleaner. 

  • Denoise –  This free tool uses an algorithm to remove steady, unvarying noises like electrical hum, or the buzz from fluorescent lighting in recorded audio
  • Voice Cleaner – This Membership-exclusive beta feature uses AI technology to remove all types of background noise from vocal recordings

To access these tools, select your vocal track in Studio, tap the 3-dot icon and select either Denoise or Voice Cleaner from the drop down menu.

Want clean, mix-ready vocals from the get-go? Follow these tips:

  • Before recording your vocals, ensure you’re in a quiet environment – preferably one that has been soundproofed with foam panels or blankets 
  • Maintain a consistent distance of 6 to 8 inches from the microphone for optimal vocal recording quality
  • Use a pop filter to reduce plosive sounds
  • Avoid unnecessary movements or touching the microphone during recording

How do I get back to the Mix (Multi-track) View?

To return to the Mix View, hit the cross button on the top right-hand corner of Track View to minimize the screen and switch back.

Can I mix/mute/solo my tracks in BandLab?

Of course! In Mix View, tap on the Mix Icon at the bottom left of the screen to access the Mix Panel. Here, you’ll find options to mute, solo, delete, duplicate, collapse, or rename your tracks.

You can also use Automation, now available on web and mobile, to craft more dynamic and expressive tracks. Turn this feature on by tapping on the Automation icon in the Studio timeline, and draw in automation points on your selected track to control volume, panning, effect parameters, and more.

How do I delete tracks in BandLab?

You can delete tracks in BandLab via the Mix Panel in both Mix View and Track View. Press and hold on the track icon, or click on the 3-dot icon to see more options and hit Remove Track.

Can I edit my MIDI tracks in BandLab?

The MIDI Editor is available on BandLab Web, Android, and iOS.

On mobile, you can access this feature by tapping on a region and selecting Edit, or by tapping the MIDI Edit icon from Track View.

Our web version offers more advanced features like Humanize.

Can I save my recordings to work on later?

BandLab offers unlimited project storage synced to the cloud, completely free. When you save projects on BandLab, you’ll be able to access them anytime, anywhere from all your devices. Even if you lose your phone, you’ll never lose an idea again.

To save your project, tap the Cloud Icon at the top right corner of the screen. You can choose if you want to Save your project for further editing, or Publish it so other users on BandLab can listen, engage, and comment. 

If you hit Save, this will prompt a screen where you can name your project, add a description, as well as tag it with a genre.

Your project will be saved privately and securely, so no one else will be able to access it unless you publish it or invite them as a collaborator.

How do I fix recordings that sound out of time on Android?

If your recordings feel out of sync or delayed, you’re experiencing latency. This problem is more prevalent on Android devices due to varying hardware configurations. 

Running a Latency Test can help BandLab detect and implement compensation techniques to improve device performance. 

To do this, tap the Gear icon near the top right of the screen in Studio. Then, click on Latency Fix listed under Recording and Playback settings. 

Find out more in our guide to troubleshooting latency issues.

What does the “Snap” button do when editing MIDI?

The Snap button stands for Snap to Grid. If you turn this on, any MIDI notes you place in the MIDI Roll/Editor will always be aligned to the closest beat. By default, this feature is turned on.