Dolby On: Record Audio & Video Reviews

by Phoibos

Update: The bad audio is related to the iPad. The same setup on an iPhone 11 Pro Max doesn’t have any clicking issues. You will need recent hardware to use this. The screen orientation problem is present here, too.

Original review:
I’m using this on an iPad Air that topped out at iOS 12.4. Input is via an iRig Pro with a CAD CM217 condenser mic.

I’m trying to record a classical guitar with this, and no matter what I do, I get some clicking/clipping on the start of the louder notes. The only way to get rid of that is to turn Dolby off. Then it sounds exactly like recorded with the native camera app.
Maybe DolbyOn is overwhelming the iPad, but I didn’t see any hardware limitations mentioned.

And then there is the annoying screen orientation behavior. I’m doing everything in landscape but DolbyOn only supports portrait mode for replay and tool use. And when you go back to recording, it stays in portrait mode even if the iPad has remained in landscape orientation.

In summary, this is completely useless for me. Too bad, the sound between the noises was good.

by Azarry

I like that DolbyOn is voiceover accessible, as I am blind and use a bluetooth keyboard. Yesterday I checked DolbyOn , and noticed it was taking up a lot of space, more than it should. I erase all the files after I'm done with them, so not sure why it's still taking up all that space. I finally had to uninstall and reinstall it, but once I start putting various audio things into it and editing them and erasing them once I'm done, I'm wondering if I will eventually run into the same problem. Is DolbyOn really deleting my files? Also, it would be cool if I could choose the bitrate of the files when I share them with other apps.
Is it possible you could create the possibility to save presets. For most files, I always turn boost up all the way, noise canceling off, and amp on up to 20. It would be nice if all this could be a preset so I wouldn't have to do it each time?
Otherwise, keep up the good work.

by Zack Daddy101

Maybe we need a different app, but I’m really looking for a ‘tape’ emulator. I’d like to be able to import all of my music and audio into DolbyOn to listen to it. I’d want the characteristics of analog cassette tape in my music, that I can ‘fix’ with Dolby technology. Something complete with ‘tape hiss’ and other distortions. Something that also features Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction simulators, as well as Dolby S NR and even Dolby HX Pro. Tape bias selection would be cool too. I’d also like to see classic VU meters choices, as well as peak graph displays. Cool extras might be MPX or FM filters, but wouldn’t be as important.

Other cool features might be, in app purchases of Dolby Surround Sound, Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital. There’s so much you could do!

Please add these features, or come up with this cool app. I’d be willing to pay too dollar for something like this. Thanks Dolby, for decades of taking our audio to the next level!

by Poshsoup

It is interesting and I like it.

But, I would give it 5 stars if the comparison feature actually compared the post processing your Apple device already applies so that I know I’m using better systems. Audio inside of the Apple video recorder already processes to an acceptable degree with music. Built in voice recorder app of course not so much. Now, I’ve used other raw format bypassing audio recording apps like Zoom and Shure versions and they have manual processing but the bypass still doesn’t sound as bad as Dolby is forcing it to. (IMO) concluding that I can not conclude the processed audio in Dolby On is actually better because the bypass within Dolby On sounds worse than the hardware actually sounds in reality when bypassed.

by MikeD225

I’m having problems EXPORTING. I haven’t had any issues till we started recording church services. Is there a CAP on the size of recording??

Aside from this, this is the coolest and most useful app I’ve come across. It’s awesome and the fact that it’s free blows my mind. Being able to change the tones and levels really helps especially recording live.

I appreciate anything you might have to say on this.

by RandyMag

Hi Dolby. I love that DolbyOn is free. But first, it needs to not flip to portrait on an iPad during playback. Those of us with Magic Keyboards don’t like having to tilt our head 90 degrees while tweaking. In addition, I would actually pay you guys for an Inter-App Audio Unit that would feed these settings into Cubasis/Garageband etc so it could be used for adding vocals to music in a DAW. I would prefer that to paying for Soundcloud.

by Mermaids.com

DolbyOn is absolutely amazing!! I can’t stop using it and I advise DolbyOn to every single human being on earth. I sent in a request and within two hours I got a response and not just the response that some apps send where it’s just the same thing to every single person, it was particular and mentioned my request in there response which let’s me know that these people are actually reading what I say and take it into consideration so thank you!!

by Magic5D

I am astounded at the quality of this very much free recording app. Most apps would have made you by the noise reduction and tones tools, but Dolby On is different. The sound is pretty good for a free mobile app and you can record for as long as you wish. I also appreciate the colors of the tracks when you play them. Overall, an amazing, worthy app to buy if you’re looking for better.

by This Game Is The Best 2011

Love it I love singing it’s the best thing ever I watch shows and singing like Hannah Montana it’s a kind of show and the best show ever and it’s on Disney+ you can get Disney+ on Fire T V anyways about the rating I love this helps me sing privately I am kind of a solo singer but I do like some instruments and stuff in the background but it’s a good app thanks for whoever made it and make a lot of ratings so make more games

by Austin_KL

As a musician and producer that dabbles in professional studio equipment and released more than 10 albums for fort he past 15 years; ...all I can say is wow. This is by far the best free recording software I have ever used on a phone. I use an iPhone XS. The mic in the iPhone is great and helps, as do the stereo speakers, however, the software in DolbyOn is what makes it. It’s very smart. It won’t clip in loud environments and it will pick up your sounds in quiet environments. Almost as if it has built in volume maximization and mic compression. Good job folks on DolbyOn. It replaces all of your recording apps that isn’t a DAW. (DAWs are a different beast) No reason to record with any other sound recording app.
A+
iPhone 10 XS

by Bonnie1926

I can't believe how much of a difference in recording quality DolbyOn makes. The fact that it can also record videos! And I just recently learned you can upload previously recorded video and audio and let Dolby do its magic on those too! So so so glad I found this gem!!! 💎💎💎💎💎

by Jrush54

I literally sit on my couch with my synth and drum machine playing through a portable speaker and my iPhone laying on the couch in front of the speaker recording with its built in mic and I make high quality demos. Seriously!
I don’t know how they did it but Dolby reigns again in the field of recording.
And it’s sooo easy to use. Don’t waste your time reading the bad reviews. If you have the IQ to use a toaster you can use this!

by TBMUSIC81

I needed a video recording application that would improve my sound on my required recording assignments and Dolby On is an improvement from just recording from the camera on my phone. It is nice that you can take as many takes as you want and there is no issues. I have been using for about a month and have over 500 takes and there has been no issues thus far. I like how DolbyOn is not filled with ways to up sell to a paid app. It is very straightforward. Although there are not a tone of editing options and the ones that are available seem to provide minimal improvements. All in all it's served its purpose. I don't know if I would pay for DolbyOn if they ever did start charging which they will have to unless they add advertisements as a revenue stream. I would have to see much more options for video production to consider paying a monthly fee.

by Tater Tati

I use DolbyOn for my Chorus class, and for fun when I wanna song random songs. Bc of DolbyOn, I don’t need to use videos and use a lot more storage and instead I can sing to my hearts content here. It’s 100% free and all the video can be downloaded to photos making it a lot easier to submit my recording. I would highly recommend it to anyone who just wants to sing and sound a little bit better.

by Bansuree

This is an amazing app and honestly I never expected this to be so good. Thank you so much Dolby for bringing this to people who can’t afford paid apps. One small request is that if you could also include few features like a music player, and options to add and record multiple tracks and karaokes, this will be a wonderful package. Hope to see these additions in the near future. Once again thank you so much guys for this awesome app. This is a must have for all musicians and music lovers. 👍🏼👍🏼

by FOFS

It boosts and balances everything you do want, reduces everything you don’t want. Had a video recording using iPhone and $10 lapel mic with music (recorded with the mic) that included harpsichord. It sounded like there was almost no midrange. Harpsichord all but disappeared. Everything else was fine. Used this app and everything sounded perfect, including the harpsichord! Scary. Woo hoo! All that, and it will clean up the noise floor in voice recordings using the same mic as above considerably too. That’s all I’ve done with it so far, but it is truly amazing.

by Ishjsanchz84

I really like using DolbyOn to record my rehearsals thru video or audio. I’ve recorded lots of our performances as well and I like how well it picks up sound. I also like how you can reduce the background noise, although there’s is bit of a robotic distortion when in use but very minimal. You can edit the treble, mid tones and bass and it also has sound presets you can use and you won’t be disappointed. You can also adjust the audio settings for video too. I mean it’s a really good app. 👍🏼

by Unclemickey

As an occasional voice actor, I’m needed to make changes for clients on short notice. One of my clients needed some urgent changes to their phone system announcements when they shifted to work from home during COVID-19. I was at the Bronson Caves in Los Angeles when the client called, they texted me the changes - I found a quiet corner in the cave and recorded the changes and sent the changes back almost immediately. The cave added a touch of resonance, nice! My client loved the results, and loves to tell their customers the recording was done on the old Invasion of The Body Snatchers set.

by St90ar

I’m blown away by this. It’s like having a portable studio on you at all times. Really opens up my ears to what quality acoustics can be, and helps develop better tone to my sound. All for free. I seriously cannot thank Dolby enough for this. No matter where you are in your craft, get DolbyOn. It is an absolute necessity if you have any desire to develop a life involving creation of music as it allows you to isolate yourself when you find random inspiration, and also helps those who cannot afford a good studio setup to record onto access to something that they can still develop a portfolio for their sound. The metronome is an added plus!

by Sumatra Gold

I love this little app. It’s simple, easy to use, and does what I need it to. I write a lot of music. Dolby helps me get every idea down, so I don’t forget it...whether I’m humming a few bars or banging out riffs on a guitar. Those ideas get preserved using the Dolby app. Then later on when I have time I can go back into those audio files and curate them for more development into finished songs. Super helpful app that insures I don’t ever miss a song idea. Thanks Dolby

by Eddie Corbo

I’m really like DolbyOn but I have two complaints.
1. Everything seems to move slow. When I’m recording an idea or a demo, I want to get to it ASAP. I don’t want to wait even a few seconds.
2. Importing audio creates a fade-in at the beginning of the track, effectively ruining the whole point of this “mastering” feature. Remove the fade-in!!
Aside from that, DolbyOn will be perfect.

by Vorrsit

Amazing app, turns your iPhone into an amazing microphone! I just wish DolbyOn ran In the background. That way I can record audio over a song that’s playing, and my mic will not pick it up. Is there anyway to keep DolbyOn running in the background?!

by Mermalnick

I’ve had DolbyOn since it was in Beta and have used it for studio sessions regularly. It’s super intuitive and exactly what every musician needs to take their recording sessions to the next level, without any hassle at all. Thank you Dolby for releasing this to the masses!

by Gen__andTonic

Definitely an upgrade from any other free recording app. Been using this since beta and it’s made a huge difference in how I record and share music.

by Jcdjmac

I would like to say thank you for adding the accessibility feature to this latest update. Thanks again, you guys are the best!

by America's App Advisor

This is a game-changing App and the next best thing to going back in time and preventing Apple from removing the headphone jack.

I love what Dolby has done with DolbyOn and my
only regret is it didn’t happen sooner ... because no matter what you may have heard; even the best Bluetooth headphones cannot compare to wired.

I have 4 iPhones I’ve held onto and 3 of them have a headphone jack. I’ve tried the Apple dongle and it works about as good as it’s name implies.

😆~ yo, who grabbed my dongle, it was here a minute ago?!

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!

by W13th

Looks great & works just as well! Convenient that the "Help" options in "Settings" go directly to email w/ all the necessary device info already in place. I appreciate that, Dolby. 5 stars for DolbyOn & 5 more for "now with fewer typos" in Version History. Pretty funny. Nice work, Dolby devs.

by Duoda2

Been playing guitar for about 10 years but have never recorded myself because of the high costs of recording equipment. I literally place my phone next to my amp and then let Dolby technology handle the rest. The sound quality is truly spectacular and the it's free!!!

by Footsiecat

Best recording app ever! Perfectly blends vocals with instruments. So easy to use it’s hard to make a bad recording. Love this so much I recommend it to everyone interested in making quality recordings.
Would love to see more visuals added in future updates

by NationalRobot

DolbyOn changes the way musicians record themselves and the way fans hear what the artists record. The sound is incredible - it makes it possible to do quality recordings that you actually want to share.

by BAR112

Since I won’t be using it to record music, I’ve tried opening videos and listening to the audio through DolbyOn. Wow—the improvement is awesome, and I’m not even using headphones! Appreciate the various controls such noise reduction and bass/treble controls, among others. Thanks for an excellent audio app, for free!

by Nhlt1

I use this when recording for internet social media. I recorded one of my original Christmas songs with it which is viewable on my website donnasongwriter . Com. It’s called Christmas With You.

by Anthony Trumpy

Don’t get me wrong, I love how DolbyOn makes things sound as they should, especially with the correct headphones. Even with the most recent update, I am hoping you can add more features such as loop or repeat or shuffle to the tracks. Unless I am missing this, which is I am, please help. Thank you

by OHFISHAL_Gaming

Got DolbyOn bc I was bored not expecting it to be any different. I instantly was surprised at how much better it sounded. I don’t use the voice memos app at all. As a matter of fact I deleted bc I don’t need it, but if I was to record audio on my phone for some reason, this is what I would use for sure

by EllisaSun

It is incredible what DolbyOn can do! I LOVE the way my voice and guitar sounds when recording. So much fun to play around with the different effects, and to experiment with recording in different spaces!