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iPhone User Guide

Add a second layer to a Voice Memos recording on iPhone

On supported models, you can record a vocal layer on top of an instrumental recording without using headphones. This allows you to capture a musical inspiration—add vocals or a voiceover to an existing instrumental recording, try out lyrics, harmonize with instrumental music, and more.

Add a second layer

  1. Go to the Voice Memos app 👁 Image
    (in the Utilities folder) on your iPhone.

  2. In the list of recordings, tap the recording you want to add a vocal layer to, then tap 👁 the Edit Recording button
    to view the waveform.

  3. Tap 👁 the Add a Vocal Layer button
    .

  4. Tap 👁 the Record button
    ,     then record your second layer.

    In the list of recordings, layered recordings are indicated by 👁 the Layers button
    .

Although you can only create a layered recording on supported models, you can play a layered recording on any device.

Note: Layered recordings are in QTA (QuickTime Audio) format. They won’t appear on devices with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, or earlier. However, when you separate the layers, each layer is in .m4a format and will appear on devices with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, or earlier.

Only the first layer can be transcribed or recorded in stereo or Spatial Audio. (See View a Voice Memos transcription for the hardware, software, and languages that support transcription.) You can edit both layers of a layered recording together, unless you separate them.

Mix the layers

After recording the second layer, you can mix the two layers.

  1. Go to the Voice Memos app 👁 Image
    (in the Utilities folder) on your iPhone.

  2. Tap the layered recording you want to mix.

  3. Tap 👁 the Edit Recording button
    to view the waveform, then tap 👁 the playback options button
    .

  4. Drag the Layer Mix slider to mix the layers.

Separate the layers

After recording the second layer, you can separate the two layers to edit or play them separately.

  1. Go to the Voice Memos app 👁 Image
    (in the Utilities folder) on your iPhone.

  2. While viewing the waveform, tap 👁 the More button
    ,     then tap Separate Layers.

  3. Tap Done to return to the list of recordings.

    The two layers appear as separate recordings in the list. You can select them, edit them, and play them separately.

Import layered recordings into Logic Pro

If Voice Memos is turned on in iCloud settings, you can open a layered recording from your iPhone on your iPad where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account and export the recording to Files. Then you can import the layered recording into Logic Pro for iPad for editing. The two layers open automatically as two distinct tracks in Logic Pro 11.1.1 or later.

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