Recording Instructions

What Can You Record?

• Sets: Record full performances from your setlists. These recordings can be split into individual song files.
• Songs: Record individual songs directly from a song's detail page. Perfect for capturing single tracks or demos.
• Ideas: Quick recordings of song ideas or snippets from your band's idea list. Great for capturing inspiration on the fly.

How to Record Directly in The Band Plan

1. Navigate to what you want to record
   • Sets or Songs: Use the Record control in the main navigation, then select your band and choose a set or song
   • Setlists: Use Record This Set in the Recording panel on a setlist page
   • Songs: Use Record This Song on the song detail page
   • Ideas: Use Record Idea on any idea in your band's idea list
2. Grant microphone permission — Your browser will ask for permission to use your microphone. Click Allow to begin recording. If you have an audio interface connected, select it from the dropdown.
3. Recording starts immediately — A floating widget will appear showing the recording timer and waveform. You can minimize this widget if needed.
   Important: Only one recording can be active at a time. If you try to start a new recording while one is in progress or still being saved, you'll see a warning. Always wait for the current recording to finish saving before starting a new one.
4. Navigate freely — While recording, you can browse to other pages on The Band Plan (view different songs, gig docs, print views, etc.). The recording continues in the background.
   Important: Don't leave The Band Plan site or close your browser tab, or your recording will end.
5. Stop when finished — When you're done recording (whether it's a set, song, or idea), click Stop in the recording widget. The recording will be saved to your browser and you'll be taken to a preview page where you can upload it when you're ready.
   Recording limits:

   • Duration: Recordings are limited to 4 hours maximum
   • File size: Uploaded files are limited to 4.5 GB maximum

   When the 4-hour limit is reached, your recording is automatically saved to your browser's storage. You can upload later — even after 24 hours. The server accepts recordings up to 4 hours and 4.5 GB.

   Important: Only one recording can be active at a time. Always wait for the current recording to finish saving before starting a new one.
6. Normalize your recording (optional) — After uploading, you can normalize for consistent volume. On the recording detail page, use Normalize Recording. This creates a new version adjusted to about −1.3 dB peak, which helps keep playback volume consistent across songs.
   Note: Files larger than 512 MB should be normalized on your computer with tools like Audacity or FFmpeg before uploading.
7. Split your set recording (sets only) — Song and idea recordings don't need splitting. On the split page you can:
   • Listen with a waveform visualization
   • Click and drag on the waveform to select portions
   • Click a song name on the right to assign that region
   • Use ESC to undo the last region
   • Add unlisted songs below the song list if you played something not in the setlist
8. Process the splits (sets only) — Once songs are assigned, use Process Splits to extract each song as a separate MP3. For song and idea recordings, skip this and go listen.
9. Listen to your recordings — You'll land on the recordings page for that set, song, or idea. For sets, you can play split songs in order with the master player.

Splitting Set Recordings Later

If you recorded a set but aren't ready to split it immediately, come back later:

1. Go to your setlist page
2. Open Recordings in the Setlist Actions panel
3. Open any set recording to reach the split page

Note: Song and idea recordings don't need splitting — they're already single tracks. Splitting is only for full set recordings.

It's easier on desktop.

Recording Options: Best to Last

Different setups give different quality. Ranked from best to worst:

Link to External Playlists

If your recordings are already hosted elsewhere (YouTube, SoundCloud, etc.), you can create a playlist on The Band Plan without uploading files:

1. Go to your setlist page
2. Find the “Listen to the Set” form in the Setlist Actions panel
3. Add links to recordings on other platforms
4. The Band Plan will create a playlist for you

Note: This doesn't allow splitting, but it's a quick way to attach existing recordings to a setlist.

Microphone Placement Tips

For phone/tablet recording

• Center of the room — Equal distance from instruments
• Ear level — Listening height, not floor or ceiling
• Away from speakers — Avoid direct PA bleed
• Stable surface — Don't let it move during the show
• Check orientation — Some phones have directional mics; test which side sounds best

Before You Record

Pre-gig checklist

• Test record — 30 seconds during sound check
• Check battery — Full charge or plugged in
• Clear storage — Enough space (500 MB+ recommended)
• Set volume levels — Listen back for clipping or low volume
• Disable notifications — Do Not Disturb
• Keep screen on — The Band Plan handles this automatically

During Recording

• Don't touch the device — Handling noise will be captured
• Monitor occasionally — Confirm recording is still running
• Note any issues — Remember sound problems for later

After Recording

• Don't close the browser — Let the upload complete
• Split while fresh — Mark song boundaries while you remember the set
• Label clearly — Use accurate titles for unlisted songs

Recommended Equipment (Optional)

Audio Quality Expectations

What you'll get:

• Reference recordings for practice and improvement
• A record of live performances
• Individual song files for sharing
• Documentation of your band's progress

What you won't get:

• Studio-quality multi-track recordings
• Perfect balance without proper equipment
• Isolated instrument tracks (everything is mixed together)

Questions or Issues?

If you're having trouble with recording, splitting, or uploading, or need equipment advice, reach out for support. We're here to help you capture your best performances.