Apple has once again pushed the boundaries of creative technology. The company has introduced a groundbreaking feature for its Voice Memos app on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Users can now easily layer vocal tracks over instrumental recordings—they don’t even need headphones. Musicians of all genres now have a portable, studio-quality recording tool wherever inspiration strikes.
The feature was introduced with iOS 18.2. It enables playback of instrumental tracks through the iPhone speaker while recording vocals. The device’s advanced microphones and A18 Pro chip handle this seamlessly.
This technology isolates vocal recordings from instrumental audio. Musicians can then use these two separate tracks for professional mixing and production.
“I don’t think people realize the critical role Voice Memos on iPhone plays in the creation process for musicians,” said GRAMMY-winning artist Michael Bublé.
“It’s so typically Apple to build something we didn’t know we needed—and now won’t be able to live without.”
He added that being free from the traditional studio experience has become an advantage, not a limitation.
Musicians can start their recordings with various instrumental backdrops, including acoustic guitar or piano. Artists and producers can also export instrumental mixes from Logic Pro.
These compressed audio files can be imported into Voice Memos to add vocal layers. This flexibility enables effortless transitions between studio setups and spontaneous sessions.
The Layered Recordings are automatically synced across devices via iCloud, making it easy to access tracks on Voice Memos for Mac. Creators can drag and drop recordings into Logic Pro sessions for advanced production.
Musicians now have streamlined, cross-platform tools for their creative visions, whether on a Mac or iPad.
Apple showcased this feature with three Grammy-winning artists. Michael Bublé, Carly Pearce, and Greg Wells collaborated on a holiday single, “Maybe This Christmas.”
The team used the iPhone 16 Pro as their sole recording device for vocals.
Apple released a behind-the-scenes video documenting the process. The artists explained how Voice Memos captured studio-quality vocals without traditional constraints.
Producer Greg Wells expressed amazement at the clarity of the recordings.
“Using just the iPhone 16 Pro, we achieved results that rivaled what we’d typically get in a professional studio,” he said.
Listeners can stream “Maybe This Christmas” on Apple Music in Spatial Audio.
Apple’s commitment to empowering creators extends beyond the iPhone. Integrating Voice Memos and Logic Pro lets musicians effortlessly take projects from conception to completion.
Logic Pro for Mac (version 11.1) requires macOS Sequoia 15.2, and Logic Pro for iPad (version 2.1) requires iPadOS 18.2.
Adding Layered Recordings to Voice Memos marks a pivotal moment for mobile music production. Cutting-edge hardware, advanced processing, and integration with professional apps redefine possibilities for musicians.
The A18 Pro chip’s machine learning ensures precision and efficiency in isolating vocals.
For iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max users, creating layered recordings without extra equipment is a breakthrough. The tool adapts to various needs and workflows, allowing musicians to sketch ideas, craft demos, or produce tracks quickly.
The Layered Recordings feature is available now on iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max running iOS 18.2. Compatibility includes Logic Pro for Mac (version 11.1) and Logic Pro for iPad (version 2.1).
Artists exploring this feature will find “Maybe This Christmas” an inspiring example of what’s possible.
As Michael Bublé said, “This is just the beginning of what’s possible when technology meets creativity.”