Using AirPods Pro As a Microphone In Logic Pro

Producers have different approaches for recording vocals in Logic Pro. However, the basics are the same; get an acoustically treated room, set up a condenser microphone, connect the microphone to an audio interface, set up an audio monitoring system, and record your track on your DAW of choice.

Although ideal, not everyone has access to an industry-standard level of equipment to work on their music projects.

Other than that, you might want to quickly capture an idea to work on it later properly. In either of those cases, you ought to work with whatever tools and gears you have in front of you.

People have always praised Apple for its solid ecosystem. AirPods Pro work seamlessly across all Mac and iOS devices. Since Logic Pro is an Apple software, it makes sense for AirPods and Logic to work well together. Or does it?

In this post, I’m going to show you how to use a pair of AirPods Pro as a microphone in Logic Pro. Also, I’ll explore other alternatives to get better quality when recording audio.

How To Connect AirPods Pro To Logic

First and foremost, you should make sure your AirPods are connected to your Mac system. Once you’ve put your AirPods in your ears (or on them, in case you’re using AirPods Max), on the top-right corner of your Mac screen:

•  Click on Control Center and navigate to Bluetooth.

•  If the icon for your AirPods is not blue, click it so your Mac becomes the primary connected device.

Then, go ahead and launch Logic Pro. Once you’ve opened a session, from the top-left corner:

•  Click “Logic Pro” and hover your pointer on “Settings.”

•  Click “Audio” to open the settings menu.

•  Make sure your Input and Output devices are both set as your AirPods.

Now, you can hear your session through your AirPods and use their built-in microphone to record audio tracks.

Should You Use AirPods For Music Production?

Although technically possible, I recommend steering clear from using AirPods for music production. After all, they are made for consuming music, not making music.

One of the first issues you’ll notice using AirPods for recording audio is the lack of quality. The microphones on the AirPods are intended for voice calls only. Moreover, wireless connectivity via Bluetooth cannot carry much auditory data in real-time. Because of that, you shouldn’t expect to get a crisp and clear capture using microphones on your AirPods.

Wireless connectivity doesn’t always lead to poor quality, though. There are many world-class wireless microphones that artists and sound engineers use for live shows and recording sessions.

Another problem you’ll face using AirPods in Logic Pro is latency. Regardless of how much you reduce your buffer size, Bluetooth connectivity results in a jarring latency that interferes with the audio monitoring process, so much that makes monitoring yourself while recording vocals impossible with a pair of AirPods Pro.

AirPods No Good? Use These Instead

Undoubtedly, microphones are among the most essential gear for a music studio. So, I suggest investing in a microphone if you want to make vocals sound professional in your tracks. There are countless microphones for almost every budget range on the market. Moreover, USB microphones, such as the famous Blue Yeti, can connect directly to your computer without requiring an audio interface.

If you don’t have a microphone yet, or you simply don’t have one with you all the time, you can use the MacBook’s built-in microphone to capture audio. Newer MacBooks are exceptionally capable for music production. Besides powerful CPUs, Apple boasts about installing ‘studio-quality’ microphones on its latest laptops. While I wouldn’t replace my studio microphones with the one on a Mac, I have to admit that the sound quality is quite impressive.

To use your MacBook’s built-in microphone:

•  Click on “Logic Pro” from the top-left corner of your screen.

•  Hover your pointer on “Settings” and select “Audio.”

•  Change the input device to MacBook Microphone.

Bear in mind that if you use your Mac’s microphone and speakers at the same time while monitoring audio, you’ll create a feedback loop that will cause in capturing a lot of noise. So, make sure to either use headphones to monitor audio or turn off monitoring while you’re using your Mac’s microphone.

Final Thoughts: Use Each Tool For The Right Purpose!

Just because you have access to a road doesn’t mean you should take it! Connecting a pair of AirPods to Logic to record audio is fairly straightforward. However, even if you don’t have a dedicated microphone, using your MacBook’s built-in mic is always an available alternative to get better results.

Remember, when it comes to creating music, using the right gear can make a huge difference, so long as you know how to use them. If you need more help regarding production, songwriting, mixing, or mastering, I highly recommend downloading my free 6 Pillars To Learn Logic Pro Faster.