Recording on Android

I’ve always been a bit envious of Voice Over professionals and their ability to record “on the go” using their IPads.  Being an Android guy, it was frustrating that my tablet couldn’t be used for the same purpose.   However, thanks to some developers in the Netherlands, my frustration has about ended.

A company called eXtream Software Development has released an Android app called USB Audio Recorder Pro.  Having the same frustration I had in Android’s inability to do USB recording, their development team wrote their own drivers and tested them extensively. 

Using this $4.60 app along with equipment from an long (and still growing) list of microphones, interfaces and devices, Android users can now record “on the go” with professional results.  An updated listing of everything that is compatible with the app can be found here:  http://www.extreamsd.com/USBAudioRecorderPRO/  . You can also read the app reviews as users have posted what equipment they’ve used successfully.

The developers say they are hard at work to put USB integration in another of their apps, Audio Evolution Mobile ($7.49), a multi-track recorder/editor.  Presently, to do editing of a recording you made with the USB Audio Recorder Pro, you have to save the file then reopen it with Audio Evolution for editing.  However, the biggest caveat is you can’t save as an .mp3 file.

I contacted the developer regarding saving as an .mp3.  I didn’t realize was the .mp3 file format is patented.  The developer said he recently received an email from the patent owners are pursuing licensing fees from all apps that utilize this format.  This aggressive stance might also effect IOS apps as well, he conjectured.  In the interim, an Android app that might be able to skirt the issue is a free app called MP3 Media Converter, which actually sends your file to a “cloud”, converts it using licensed “LAME – MP3” software, then transfers the converted file back to your device.

I’ve tried the apps (the developer has free Trial versions so you’re not having to pay until you know it works for you) using my Asus TF300T Android Tablet and an M-Audio Fast Track interface.  While my tablet’s optional keyboard has a full sized USB port, most will have to purchase a USB adapter to be able to plug things into their device’s USB Mini port. I must say the quality was almost as good as my home studio; good enough (in my opinion) for generating audition recordings I might miss out on because I was on the road.  

Yes, things are looking up for us Android folks.  Finally, we can record on the go just like those IPad owners. 

For USB Audio Recorder Pro on the Play Store: http://goo.gl/UNCfk  (Note: There is a link on the top of the page for the free trial version).

For the Trial Version of Audio Evolution Mobile on the Play Store: http://goo.gl/EdHpp