MicDropFrequently asked questions
Quick answers about phones, DAWs, connections and audio quality. Can't find yours? Email support@micdrop.online.
Can I use my Android phone as a microphone for my PC or DAW?
Yes, in two ways. The main one: record on the phone with the MicDrop app, and each take is sent as a WAV file to the MicDrop plugin in your DAW, ready to drag onto a track. You can also use Live Mic to hear the phone's mic live through the plugin while you practise. Live Mic plays inside the plugin and isn't a system-wide microphone.
Does MicDrop work with FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro or REAPER?
MicDrop is a standard VST3 plugin on Mac and Windows and an Audio Unit on Mac, so it loads in DAWs that support those formats, including FL Studio, Ableton Live, REAPER, Cubase, Studio One and Bitwig Studio (VST3), and Logic Pro and GarageBand (AU). Add it to any track and keep it loaded while you record.
Is MicDrop free? Do I need an account?
The plugin is a free download, and the Android app is free on Google Play. There's no account to create: you pair your phone with your computer directly.
Is there an iPhone version?
Not at the moment. The MicDrop app is for Android phones running Android 8.0 or later.
Does it work on Intel Macs or older macOS versions?
The current Mac plugin needs an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer) running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Intel Macs aren't supported yet.
What about Windows on ARM or 32-bit DAWs?
The Windows plugin is a 64-bit (x64) VST3 for Windows 10 and 11. It loads in 64-bit DAWs; ARM64-native and 32-bit DAWs can't load it.
Do my phone and computer need to be on the same Wi-Fi?
For sending takes and Live Mic, yes: both need to be on the same local network. A phone hotspot works (connect the computer to it), and so does USB tethering. Guest networks often block devices from seeing each other, so use your main network. Remote Session is the exception: it works over the internet.
What audio quality does MicDrop record?
WAV files at 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz, in 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit integer or 32-bit float, mono or stereo, depending on what your phone supports. The app can test your phone and show which formats it records natively. Takes are transferred as the exact file recorded on the phone; nothing is re-compressed.
How much delay does Live Mic have?
Roughly 60 to 300 milliseconds, depending on the latency mode (Low, Balanced or Stable) and your Wi-Fi. That's fine for practising and scratch ideas, but not for tight live monitoring. Live Mic is experimental: for the take you keep, record on the phone.
Where are my takes saved on my computer?
In the Music/MicDrop/Recordings folder in your user folder: ~/Music/MicDrop/Recordings on Mac and %USERPROFILE%\Music\MicDrop\Recordings on Windows. They're also listed in the plugin's Takes tab.
Are my recordings uploaded anywhere? Is the transfer encrypted?
No recordings are uploaded to MicDrop. Takes go directly from your phone to your own computer on your local network. That local transfer isn't encrypted, so use a network you trust. Remote Session connections between a singer and a producer are encrypted end to end, and MicDrop's server never receives audio. See the privacy policy.
Why does my Mac say the installer can't be opened?
The Mac build isn't notarized by Apple yet, so macOS asks you to confirm the first time. On macOS 15 or later, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. On macOS 14, Control-click the installer and choose Open. Full Mac install steps.
Why does Windows say “Windows protected your PC”?
The Windows build isn't code-signed yet, so SmartScreen warns about it. Click More info → Run anyway, or unblock the zip in its Properties before extracting. Full Windows install steps.
Does MicDrop work over Bluetooth?
No. Takes and Live Mic go over Wi-Fi, a phone hotspot or USB tethering, which are much faster and more reliable for audio than Bluetooth.
Can I record a singer who's in another city?
Yes, with Remote Session. The producer shares a six-digit code from the plugin, the singer enters it in the app, and once approved the singer's takes come straight back to the producer's plugin, with count-in and punch-in synced to the song. How Remote Session works.
How do I uninstall MicDrop?
Close your DAW and delete MicDrop.vst3 (and MicDrop.component on Mac) from your plugin folder. Your recordings aren't touched. Exact paths.