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Frequently Asked Questions

Specifications

What format does Retro Recorder record in?

Retro Recorder records mono WAV files at 22,050 Hz or 44,100 Hz sample rate when using the built in microphone. With a external stereo microphone it will also record stereo WAV files at either sample rate.

How long can I record?

You can record as long as your batteries and memory will last. The Retro Recorder application does not limit the length of recordings.

How many recordings can I make?

You can make as many recordings as you have memory for on your device. The Retro Recorder application does not limit the number of recordings.

Can I download audio off the iPhone?

Yes, using a web browser on a different computer you may download the audio using a Wi-Fi network.

Can I get the original audio off the iPhone (without ALX)?

Yes, when exporting audio you have the choice of exporting the original unaltered audio or the ALX enhanced audio. The choice is yours.

Tech Support

I'm on an second generation iPod Touch and I cannot record audio, why?

On a iPod Touch, you must have an external microphone attached to record. You can use a headset with built in microphone (like the kind that comes with iPhone) or one that connects via the dock connector. You can play back audio on the iPod touch anytime without a microphone, but you cannot record it.

I'm on a first generation iPhone and the audio sounds bandlimited, why?

The built in hardware on the first generation iPhones is limited to 8 kHz sample rate, which restricts the frequency range of the recordings on the first generation iPhones. Unfortunately 8 kHz is the best available sample rate on that device.

I am listening to audio but it doesn't sound enhanced, why?

Make sure you have the ALX maximization turned on. Locate the slider labeled "Maximize Audio" and ensure it is slid to the right. If you are on the Recorder page, the ALX logo will glow green when ALX is activated.

I exported audio but it doesn't sound enhanced, why?

Does the filename end with "_ALX"? If not then you did not select "With ALX" when exporting. Go back to Tapes page, select Tape to export, hit Export then select "With ALX". From your separate computer select the filename, making sure you get the one with "_ALX" on the end.

Do I need to record with ALX enabled?

No, ALX only affects the playback of your audio. It makes no difference if it is on or off when you are recording. The Retro Recorder always records and preserves the original unaltered audio.

I have deleted all the files from the web browser on a separate computer, but files still appear in the app, why?

There are actually two separate storage locations in the Retro Recorder app. The main location is what you are familiar with in using the app on the iPhone. The second location is a temporary location for housing your exported audio. Once you have downloaded the exported clips using a web browser on a separate computer, it is recommended that you delete the files from the same web interface to save space. You can always regenerate the exports from the original as long as it is still on the device.

I am only able to download part of a large file, why?

The Wi-Fi interface on the iPhone will shut down when it goes to sleep. This will prevent any downloads from continuing. To keep app from going to sleep you can either tap the User Interface before the timeout expires, or better yet before starting a lengthy download go the main Settings app, select General > Auto-Lock > Never and then launch Retro Recorder. This will ensure your phone will not go to sleep during download of large files.

I cannot get the web browser on another computer to connect to Retro Recorder, why?

First you must be on the Publish page in Retro Recorder, and then you must see an available address like "http://192.168.0.18:50212". If there is no address and instead you see "Wifi: No Connection!" you are not currently on a Wi-Fi network. Assuming the Wi-Fi is working properly, double check the number typed into the address bar in your web browser. If that still doesn't work, try a different web browser on your computer (like Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc).

Tutorial

How do I record audio?

Simply go to the recorder page, and select the red button labeled "Rec".

How do I set the name for the audio I am about to record?

To change the name for the recording you are about to make, tap the text display directly above the level meter. This will bring up a keyboard and allow you to set the desired name. Don't worry about overwriting another clip of the same name, Retro Recorder will automatically append a new number at the end to prevent you from overwriting an existing file.

How do I playback the last clip I recorded from the Record page?

Just hit the white button labeled "Play". If it does nothing, that simply means there is no previous recording with that name yet.

How do I playback audio in the Tapes page?

Just tap the plastic tape case once any playback will start.

How do I start playback of another Tape while playback is currently running?

Just tap another plastic tape case and playback begins immediately.

How do I rename an existing file?

In the Tapes page, select Manage then select the tape(s) you want to rename. The selected items will be indicated with a red dot. Additionally the red indicator at the bottom of the screen will tally the total of tapes currently selected. Next select "Rename" to bring up the keyboard and give the Tape(s) a new name. Once you hit "Done" the tapes will be renamed with a new index appended to the end preventing overwrites. Note that you can use the filter to assist you in selecting files for rename.

How do I delete a file?

In the Tapes page, select Manage then select the tape(s) you want to delete. The selected items will be indicated with a red dot. Additionally the red indicator at the bottom of the screen will tally the total of tapes currently selected. Then select "Delete" which will ask you to confirm. If you select "Delete" again the original file will be deleted off the device forever. Be careful. Note however that if there is an exported version of this recording in the exports area (available via another computer via Wi-Fi) it will not be deleted. Exported files can only be deleted over the Wi-Fi interface and likewise do not affect the internal storage location.

How do I manage multiple files at once?

When in Manage more, just select multiple files by tapping on them. The selected items will be indicated with a red dot. Additionally the red indicator at the bottom of the screen will tally the total of tapes currently selected.

How to I get files off the iPhone?

In the Tapes page, select Manage then select the tape(s) you want to export. The selected items will be indicated with a red dot. Additionally the red indicator at the bottom of the screen will tally the total of tapes currently selected. Then select "Export" which will ask you choose between "With ALX" (enhanced) or "Without ALX" (original). The ALX enhancement will take longer, but when the export has finished the url of the available webpage will be displayed. It will look something like "http://192.168.0.18:50212". Enter this address into the web browser of another computer and you will see the exported recordings available for download. Clicking on the item will play it back, right-clicking (or control-clicking) will start the file downloading to your computer. Once it is on your computer you can double click it to play it back locally.

What happens to files once they are exported?

Files are exported to a second location that is only accessible via a web browser on another computer. They will remain there until they are deleted via the web browser, you cannot delete the exported files in this secondary location from the device.

How do I delete exported files off the phone once I have downloaded them?

You can select one or all of the recordings, then click the "Delete Selected" button at the bottom right. Note that this will only delete the exported version off the device, the original file available in the interface of the app itself will be unaltered.

Do I have to delete, export, or rename files one at a time?

No you can select multiple files at once in the Manage mode.

How do I get the best possible recordings?

With the advent of ALX on the iPhone, great recording with your device have gotten much easier but it is important to remember a few basic tips. Point the microphone toward the sound source you are trying to record. This is easy to do in the Retro Recorder because the User Interface rotates 180 degrees to allow you point the microphone away from yourself. The microphone is located next to the dock connector. Additionally, an external microphone that connects to the dock connector can provide even better results. And finally, try to keep handling noise to a minimum by not dropping, tapping, etc the iPhone while recording.

How do I ensure an uninterrupted recording?

Because there is alot of capabilities out of control of the apps on the iPhone, there are a number of things that can interrupt you while recording with this or any other app. To ensure no interruptions, Apple recommends you take the following precautions

• In the Settings application, ensure that the iPhone has Airplane Mode turned on.
• In the Calendar application, ensure that there are no event alarms enabled during the planned recording period.
• In the Clock application, ensure that no clock alarms are enabled during the planned recording period.
• Do not move the Ring/Silent switch during the recording. When changing Ring/Silent mode, an iPhone may vibrate, depending on user settings.
• Do not plug in or unplug a headset during recording. Likewise, do not dock or undock the device during recording.
• Do not plug the iPhone into a power source during the recording. When an iPhone gets plugged into power, it beeps or vibrates, according to user settings.