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 - Go to:
   • Sets or Songs: Click the Record button in the main navigation menu, then select your band and choose to record a set or song
   • Setlists: Alternatively, click the Record This Set button (located in the Recording panel on the right side of a setlist page)
   • Songs: Alternatively, click the Record This Song button on the song's detail page
   • Ideas: Click the Record Idea button 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 the Stop button 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'll see an alert message explaining what happened. You can upload the recording later - even if you return after 24 hours. The server accepts recordings up to 4 hours in length and 4.5 GB in size.

   ⚠️ 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.
6. Normalize your recording (optional) - After uploading, you can normalize your recording to ensure consistent volume levels. On the recording detail page, click the Normalize Recording button. This creates a new version of your recording with audio levels adjusted to -1.3 dB peak, which helps ensure consistent playback volume across all your songs. Normalization is especially useful if your recording has inconsistent volume levels or if you want to match the loudness of other recordings.
   💡 Note: Files larger than 300 MB should be normalized on your local computer using tools like Audacity or FFmpeg before uploading.
7. Split your set recording (sets only) - Note: This step only applies to set recordings. Song and idea recordings don't need splitting. On the split page for set recordings, you can:
   • Listen to the full recording with a waveform visualization
   • Click and drag on the waveform to select portions of the recording
   • Click a song name on the right to assign that region to the song
   • Use ESC to undo the last region if you make a mistake
   • Add unlisted songs using the form below the song list (if you played something not in your setlist)
8. Process the splits (sets only) - Once all songs are assigned, click Process Splits. The system will extract each song as a separate MP3 file. For song and idea recordings, you can skip this step and go directly to listening.
9. Listen to your recordings - You'll be taken to the appropriate recordings page where you can play your recordings. For sets, you can play all your split songs in order using the master player.

Splitting Set Recordings Later

If you recorded a set but aren't ready to split it into individual songs immediately, that's okay! You can come back later:

1. Go to your setlist page
2. Click the Recordings button in the Setlist Actions panel
3. Click on any set recording to view it and access the split page

Note: Song and idea recordings don't need splitting - they're already single tracks. Splitting is only for full set recordings that you want to break into individual songs.

It's easier to do on desktop.

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Recording Options: Best to Last

Different recording setups provide different audio quality. Here they are, ranked from best to worst:

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Option 4: 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. Look for the "Listen to the Set" form in the Setlist Actions panel
3. Add links to your recordings hosted 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 link your existing recordings to a setlist.

Microphone Placement Tips

For Phone/Tablet Recording:

• Center of the room - Equal distance from all instruments
• Ear level - Position at listening height (not on the 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 - Do a 30-second test during sound check
• ✅ Check battery - Full charge or plugged in
• ✅ Clear storage - Make sure you have enough space (500MB+ recommended)
• ✅ Set volume levels - Listen back to your test to check for clipping or low volume
• ✅ Disable notifications - Turn on Do Not Disturb mode
• ✅ Keep screen on - The Band Plan handles this automatically

During Recording

• Don't touch the device - Handling noise will be captured
• Monitor occasionally - Glance to make sure recording is still running
• Note any issues - Remember if there were sound problems for later reference

After Recording

• Don't close the browser - Let the upload complete
• Split while fresh - Mark song boundaries while you remember the set
• Label clearly - If adding unlisted songs, use accurate titles

Recommended Equipment (Optional)

Audio Quality Expectations

What you'll get:

• ✅ Reference recordings for practice and improvement
• ✅ Memory 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 advice on equipment, please reach out for support. We're here to help you capture your best performances!