Recording your conversation

Recording is meant to feel as easy as talking. Here’s how to be heard clearly, how the controls work, how to type instead of speak, and what to try if something goes wrong.

Before you start#

A few things set you up well:

• Good signal. Be on solid wifi or 5G.
• Allow the microphone when your browser asks.
• Keep the screen on. A black screen means no recording. A well-charged phone is less likely to fall asleep.
• Turn on Do Not Disturb for more privacy and fewer interruptions.

Recording well#

• Find a quieter spot if you can. A bit of background noise is fine; a busy café is harder.
• Speak as you naturally would - no need to slow down or talk like a robot - towards your phone or laptop.
• Watch the level meter. If it’s barely moving, you may be too far from the microphone or speaking too softly.
• Take your time. Pauses are fine. There’s no rush, and you can stop and start as much as you like.

Pause, resume and stop#

• Pause - take a break. Nothing is lost; the recording waits for you.
• Resume - pick up where you left off.
• Stop - finish when you’ve said what you want to say.

Typing instead of speaking#

Somewhere you can’t talk freely, or simply prefer to write? Most sessions offer a type-instead option - look for the choice to type your contribution, and write it out. Your words are treated exactly the same way.

If something isn’t working#

Most hiccups are quick to fix.

If the microphone isn’t working#

• Allow microphone access. If you said no or missed the prompt, look for a small microphone icon in your browser’s address bar, switch it on, and reload the page.
• Close other apps that might be using the microphone (a video call, a voice recorder).
• Check your device isn’t muted, and that the right microphone is selected if you have more than one.
• Test it. Speak and watch the level meter; if it doesn’t move, the microphone isn’t being picked up yet.

If the connection drops#

dembrane sends your recording as you go, in small pieces, so a brief wobble usually isn’t a problem - it catches up. If you see a message about the connection or saving:

• Stay on the page a moment to let it catch up.
• Check your internet - switching to better wifi can help.
• Don’t close the tab until you’ve seen the finish or thank-you screen.

If you see an echo or spike warning#

Sometimes the recorder notices an echo or a sudden spike in sound and lets you know. It’s just a nudge for quality - move somewhere quieter, lower a nearby speaker, or hold the device a little differently, then carry on.

Related#

• What to expect - where recording fits in the whole flow.
• Refining & verifying - looking back over what you recorded.
• Your privacy & your data - what happens to your recording.