How To Play Music While Recording On Iphone

Recording high-quality audio on an iPhone while playing background music can be tricky but incredibly rewarding if you want to create podcasts, voice-overs, or even video content with musical accompaniment. Here’s a step-by-step guide that covers everything from choosing the right app to fine-tuning your recording environment and setup.

Choose Your Software Wisely

Firstly, select an appropriate recording app for iPhone compatibility. Music production apps like GarageBand are great because they allow you to mix audio tracks within the same application. For voice memos or narrations with music overlays, use Pro Tools by Avid or Adobe Audacity (for the latter, note that Audacity isn’t available natively on iOS but can be used via a desktop linked through web-based tools).

Setting Up Your Audio Environment

To minimize noise interference and ensure clear audio, set up your recording space before you start. Use a pair of good quality headphones to hear your music without disturbing others around you or picking up extra sound waves in the ambient environment.

  • Headphones: Invest in decent over-ear headphones for better isolation and less bleed into your recordings compared to earbuds.
  • Soundproofing: If possible, create a booth-like space with curtains or thick walls to minimize external noises like traffic or conversation that might otherwise interfere with the purity of your recording.

Playing Music While Recording

Once you have prepared both your software environment and physical setup, it’s time to start mixing audio layers together. This process varies slightly depending on whether you’re using pre-recorded tracks or live instrumental input:

  • Using Pre-Recorded Tracks: In apps like GarageBand, import the music files into a track lane designated for backing accompaniment. Adjust levels by muting the song when speaking or singing to avoid echo artifacts.
    • Tip: Use multiple audio layers effectively; have separate tracks for speech and background music which you can control independently.
  • Live Instrumentation: If creating real-time musical content along with vocal parts, ensure your MIDI controllers or keyboards are connected properly to interface seamlessly within the recording software.

Technical Tips For Cleaner Captures

To achieve a professional-sounding output when intertwining music with spoken words:

  • Monitor volume levels closely as they affect clarity and might require adjustments during playback checking sessions.
    • Quick Fix: If there’s distortion due to clipping, simply lower your microphone’s gain until the problem subsides.
  • Experiment with different mic placements; often positioning your iPhone further away yet still picking up audio clearly provides a balanced mix between music and voice without overwhelming either one.

Post Production Polish

After recording, review and trim out unnecessary silences or segments dominated solely by background tunes. Mixing within an editor allows you to emphasize certain aspects of your track better. Remember to use plugins like EQs (equalizers) for tweaking frequencies if parts sound muddy at low-volume playback.


This setup serves as a foundational approach but leaves room for exploration and innovation based on personal projects’ needs or genre-specific requirements. Stay flexible with technology advancements; mobile applications are continually evolving, offering new features tailored towards content creators desiring versatile audio production capabilities right from their fingertips.