This guide shows you how to use BandLab, a free, cross-platform music app that runs on iOS, Android and the web. You will learn to start a project, record and layer tracks, add loops and effects, mix and export, and even collaborate with other musicians online. Everything here is doable on a phone with a pair of headphones.
Why BandLab is a great starting point
BandLab is one of the few genuinely full-featured music apps that is free and works on both iOS and Android, with cloud saving so your projects follow you across devices. It includes a multitrack editor, a large loop library, virtual instruments, guitar and bass amp tones, and a built-in community for sharing and remixing. If you are weighing it against Apple’s app, our GarageBand vs BandLab comparison helps you decide, and our list of the best mobile DAWs puts it in wider context.
Step 1: Create an account and start a project
Sign up for a free account so your work saves to the cloud. Tap to create a new project and you will see the multitrack timeline. From here you can add tracks for instruments, loops or recordings. Give the project a name so you can find it later.
Step 2: Add a beat or loops
The quickest way to get sound going is the loop library. Browse by genre or instrument, preview loops, and drag the ones you like onto the timeline. Stack a drum loop, a bass loop and a melodic loop to rough out a groove. You can also use the built-in drum machine to program your own pattern if you want more control. For ideas, see how to make beats on your phone.
Step 3: Record your own parts
To record vocals or an instrument, add an audio track, arm it and tap record. Use headphones so the backing track does not bleed into the mic. BandLab also includes amp and pedal tones for guitar and bass, so you can plug in through an interface and get a usable tone without extra gear. For cleaner takes, read how to record vocals on your phone.
- Record a few takes and keep the best one.
- Watch your input level so it is strong but never clipping.
- Trim silence at the start and end of each clip.
Step 4: Add virtual instruments and MIDI
For keys, synths or extra drums, add an instrument track and play the on-screen keyboard or pads. You can connect a MIDI keyboard for a more natural feel — see how to connect a MIDI keyboard to your phone. Edit notes afterwards to fix timing or pitch.
Step 5: Mix with effects and the mixer
Open the mixer to balance levels and add effects per track. Sensible first moves:
- Set rough volume levels so vocals sit on top and drums hold the bottom.
- Add EQ to clean up muddy or harsh tracks.
- Use reverb and delay sparingly to add depth.
- Pan instruments left and right so the mix feels wide.
If you want to go further, our guide to mixing a song on your phone covers the workflow in detail.
Step 6: Collaborate (optional)
One of BandLab’s standout features is collaboration. You can share a project with another user, fork someone else’s track to remix it, or invite a collaborator to add parts. This is a low-pressure way to learn from others and finish ideas you are stuck on.
Step 7: Export and share
When the track is done, use the export or share option to render a mixed audio file you can save or post. You can also publish straight to the BandLab community. For other destinations and stem exports, see how to export a song from a music app.
Frequently asked questions
Is BandLab really free?
Yes. The core app, multitrack recording, loops, instruments and cloud saving are free to use. It is one of the most capable free options on either platform.
Does BandLab work on Android and iPhone?
Yes. BandLab runs on Android, iOS and in a web browser, and your projects sync across them through your account, so you can start on a phone and finish on a laptop.
Can I make professional-sounding music in BandLab?
You can get a long way, especially with good arrangement and mixing habits. The limits are more about skill and source quality than the app. For an honest look at this, see can you make professional music on a phone.
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