Synchronized Overdubbing

Overdub App for iPhone – Record Voice and Instruments

Listen to your base track in headphones while recording new takes in tight sync. Built for songwriters, singers, and musicians building ideas on the go.

Download on the App Store Explore Details

Aurec overdub recording screen showing aligned audio tracks for vocals and instruments on iPhone

Engine Clock

Shared Hardware Sample Clock

Buffer Architecture

Pre-Allocated Lock-Free Ring Buffer

Audio Fidelity

24-bit / 32-bit Float Uncompressed WAV

Take Safety

Non-Destructive Multi-Layer Storage

The Problem with Basic Recording Apps

Most voice memo apps on iPhone only allow you to record a single audio stream at a time. If you want to sing a harmony over a chord progression you recorded earlier, you are forced to play the original track on another device while recording into your phone.

This results in terrible sound quality, room echo, and speaker bleed. Aurec solves this natively by providing an overdub engine designed specifically for iOS devices.

The Simple 4-Step Overdub Workflow

Building layered music in Aurec requires no studio engineering degree: record your base track (guitar, beat, or guide vocal), plug in headphones so the mic captures only your new performance, tap Overdub to record your new take in tight sync, and trim takes in the built-in editor.

This workflow lets you test song arrangements, vocal harmonies, and instrument countermelodies wherever you happen to be sitting with your phone.

Why Synchronized Audio Clocks Matter

In poorly engineered audio apps, playback and recording run on separate software timers. Over a three-minute song, the new take can gradually drift by dozens of milliseconds, causing the harmony to fall awkwardly out of time.

Aurec coordinates both playback and capture nodes within a unified audio engine sharing the same hardware sample clock. Your takes stay locked together down to the sample from the first note to the final chord.

If you want to track with external gear, check out our guide on using USB audio interfaces on iPad and iPhone or read how to record guitar and vocals.

Key Capabilities

Engineered for Sound.
Zero Compromises.

Every tool in Aurec is built directly into native iOS audio frameworks for low latency, high dynamic range, and rock-solid stability.

Zero-Drift Shared Clock

Playback and recording lock to the exact same audio render timeline, eliminating timing drift.

Headphone Monitoring

Listen to guide tracks clearly while keeping new takes completely clean of speaker bleed.

Non-Destructive Takes

Every overdub is saved as an independent layer, keeping your original recording untouched.

Quick Balance & Export

Adjust track levels immediately and export the combined mix as MP3/M4A or individual WAV stems.

How It Works

Simple 3-Step Workflow

From the initial burst of inspiration to finished, uncompressed stems ready for your DAW.

Pick or Record a Base Track

Start with an acoustic guitar riff, beat, or vocal idea recorded in uncompressed WAV.

Put On Headphones

Connect wired or compatible headphones so your microphone only hears your new performance.

Record Your Layer

Sing harmonies, lay down a solo, or add percussion locked in synchronization with the base track.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about using Aurec for synchronized overdubbing on iOS.

Why must I use headphones when overdubbing on iPhone? +

If you do not wear headphones, your iPhone speakers will play the backing track out loud into the microphone, creating unwanted bleed and echo on your new layer. Headphones ensure your new track is completely isolated and clean.

How does Aurec prevent the new track from drifting out of time? +

Aurec synchronizes both the playback player and input recorder to a single shared sample clock within the audio engine, preventing the micro-delays and drifting common in generic recording apps.

Can I delete or re-record an overdub without losing the first track? +

Yes. Every layer is non-destructive. If you make a mistake on a harmony, you can simply clear that layer and record another take without altering the original base recording.

Can I export the final overdubbed tracks as separate files? +

Yes. You can export the combined mix as an MP3, M4A, or WAV file, or export separate time-aligned WAV stems for desktop mixing.

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