The mic isn't working

Why the mic won't start

• The mic is blocked for Stackapella. Your browser, or your device, said no to the mic for this site. It's quick to allow: follow the steps below, then tap Try again.
• We can't find a mic. Plug in a mic or headphones with one, or check the one you use is switched on, then tap Try again.
• The mic didn't start. Another app may be using it, such as a call, a voice note or another tab. Close that, then tap Try again. On an iPhone, if it still won't start, close your browser completely (swipe it away in the app switcher) and open it again; if even that fails, restarting the phone fixes it.
• This page can't use the mic. Browsers only allow the mic on a secure page of its own. Open stackapella.com directly, then try again.
• This browser can't use the mic. Open stackapella.com in Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox, up to date. Copy the link to take it with you.

Safari on iPhone or iPad

1. Tap the page menu at the edge of the address bar (it shows aA, or ··· on newer iOS).
2. Tap Website Settings.
3. Set Microphone to Allow, then tap Done.
4. Still asked or blocked? Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Safari, then Microphone (under Settings for Websites), and choose Allow or Ask.

Chrome on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Chrome.
2. Turn on Microphone.
3. Come back here and tap Try again. When Chrome asks, tap Allow.

Firefox on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Firefox.
2. Turn on Microphone.
3. Come back here and tap Try again. When Firefox asks, tap Allow.

Edge on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Edge.
2. Turn on Microphone.
3. Come back here and tap Try again. When Edge asks, tap Allow.

The Stackapella app on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Safari, then Microphone, and choose Allow or Ask.
2. Close Stackapella completely: swipe up from the bottom, pause, then swipe it away.
3. Open it again from your Home Screen and tap Allow when asked.

An app's own browser on iPhone

1. Tap the menu (··· or the share button) and choose Open in Safari, or Open in browser.
2. No such choice? Tap Copy link above, open Safari, and paste it into the address bar.

Chrome on Android

1. Tap the icon at the left of the address bar (two sliders, or a lock).
2. Tap Permissions, then turn on Microphone.
3. Don't see it? Tap ⋮, then Settings, Site settings, Microphone, and allow stackapella.com.
4. Still blocked? Open Android Settings, then Apps, Chrome, Permissions, Microphone, and choose Allow.

Samsung Internet

1. Tap the menu (≡), then Settings, then Sites and downloads, then Site permissions.
2. Tap Microphone, and allow stackapella.com (take it off the blocked list).
3. Still blocked? Open Android Settings, then Apps, Samsung Internet, Permissions, Microphone, and choose Allow.

Firefox on Android

1. Tap the lock at the left of the address bar.
2. Set Microphone to Allowed.
3. Still blocked? Open Android Settings, then Apps, Firefox, Permissions, Microphone, and choose Allow.

Chrome on a computer

1. Click the icon at the far left of the address bar.
2. Turn on Microphone. No switch? Open Site settings and choose Allow.

Edge on a computer

1. Click the lock at the left of the address bar.
2. Click Permissions for this site, and set Microphone to Allow.

Firefox on a computer

1. Click the crossed-out microphone in the address bar.
2. Click the × next to Blocked, then Try again and choose Allow when Firefox asks.

Safari on a Mac

1. In the menu bar, choose Safari, then Settings, then Websites.
2. Click Microphone, and set stackapella.com to Allow.

And on the Mac itself

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
2. Turn on your browser. The Mac may ask you to quit and reopen it.

And in Windows itself

1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
2. Turn on Microphone access, and Let desktop apps access your microphone.

The quick mic check

• The first time something needs your mic, we ask you to Check your mic: sing or hum a few notes at your normal volume, and watch the level move. Pick another mic from the list if it's the wrong one.
• When we hear you, it says Sounds good: tap Continue.
• If we can't hear anything from your mic, we say so and offer the others to try. If we hear it only very quietly, turn up its gain (the knob on an audio interface), or sing closer.
• Skip if you'd rather go straight on.

Pick the right mic

• In the studio, open Microphone and timing (in the More menu on a phone, or the mic at the top on a bigger screen), and pick the mic you sing into. Watch the level move when you speak.
• On a Mac with the lid closed, the built-in mic hears nothing: pick another.
• Check the mic isn't muted on the headset or in your system's sound settings.

A silent or very quiet take

• If a take comes out silent, the app says so. Pick another mic, then record again.
• Sing a little closer to the mic, and keep the input level out of the red.