FlowState lets you record audio directly from your microphone or audio interface. This guide covers the essentials of capturing clean recordings.
What You Need
- Microphone — Built-in, USB, or via audio interface
- Headphones — Prevents feedback and lets you hear the mix
- Quiet environment — Less background noise = better recordings
- Chrome, Edge, or Safari — For best audio API support
Setting Up
-
Create an audio track
Click the + button in the track list and select Audio Track. A new track appears in the timeline. -
Arm the track for recording
Click the red R button on the track. It illuminates to show the track is armed. -
Grant microphone access
Click the record button in the transport bar (the circle). Your browser will ask for permission—click Allow. -
Check your levels
Speak or play into your mic. Watch the track's level meter. Aim for peaks around -12 to -6 dB (green zone).
Tip: If your levels are too low or too high, adjust your microphone's input gain or system volume before recording.
Recording
-
Position the playhead
Click in the timeline ruler where you want recording to start, or press Enter to go to the beginning. -
Start recording
Click the record button (it turns red with a pulse animation) then press Play. Recording begins immediately. -
Perform
Play or sing your part. You'll see a waveform appearing in real-time as you record. -
Stop recording
Press Space or click Stop. A new clip appears on the armed track containing your recording.
Recording Tips
Microphone Positioning
- Distance — 4-8 inches from your mouth for vocals
- Angle — Slightly off-axis (45°) reduces plosives (P and B sounds)
- Pop filter — Helps if you have one, but not essential
Environment
- Quiet room — Turn off fans, close windows, minimize noise
- Soft surfaces — Blankets, curtains, and carpets reduce echo
- Avoid hard walls — Don't record facing a bare wall
Levels
- Aim for -12 to -6 dB — This gives you headroom for peaks
- Never clip (hit red) — Digital clipping sounds terrible and can't be fixed
- Too quiet is better than too loud — You can boost quiet recordings, but clipped audio is ruined
Multiple Takes
Recording multiple takes helps you capture the best performance:
- Record your first take normally
- Keep the track armed
- Move the playhead back to the start
- Record again—each take creates a new clip
- Compare takes and keep the best one, delete the rest
Layering: To record on a new track without replacing, create another audio track and arm that one instead.
Punch Recording
Punch recording lets you fix just a section of an existing take:
- Position the playhead before the section you want to re-record
- Arm the track and start recording
- Play along with your existing recording
- Stop when you've passed the problem section
- The new recording replaces just that portion
Recording with Playback
To record while hearing your existing tracks:
- Use headphones — Essential to prevent the playback from bleeding into your mic
- Adjust monitor mix — Balance how loud you hear the backing track vs. yourself
- Enable input monitoring — Hear yourself through the DAW with any effects applied
Input Monitoring
Input monitoring lets you hear yourself through FlowState while recording:
- Click the input monitor button (speaker icon) on the armed track
- Speak into your mic—you'll hear yourself through your headphones
- Adjust the track volume if needed
Latency note: You may notice a slight delay when monitoring. This is normal for web-based audio. For critical timing, some performers prefer to monitor directly from their interface.
After Recording
Once you've captured your recording:
- Trim the clip — Remove silence at the start and end
- Adjust timing — Move the clip to align with your beat
- Apply effects — Add EQ, compression, reverb as needed
- Mix levels — Balance the recording with other tracks
Troubleshooting
No audio input
- Check that microphone permission is granted in your browser
- Verify your mic is selected in system sound settings
- Ensure the track is armed (red R button lit)
Audio is too quiet
- Move closer to the microphone
- Increase input gain on your interface or system settings
- Use a USB mic if your built-in mic is weak
Audio is distorted
- Reduce input gain—you're clipping
- Move back from the microphone
- Speak or sing more quietly, or at an angle