Microphone, USB audio, or System Audio: which should you use?

Microphone: music in the room

Microphone input is convenient when a speaker, television, or live performance is the source. Distance, reflections, background conversation, and muffled speakers can soften attacks. Good placement and calibration help more than simply maximizing every slider.

A microphone hears the room. Place it where the music is clear; avoid covering the microphone or placing it directly against a speaker.

Analysis gain changes input sensitivity, including qualified musical cues. Raise it gradually with ordinary music playing; a high meter alone does not prove a clean beat.

Direct audio: a connected signal

A compatible USB audio interface can provide a direct signal from a mixer or audio source. Confirm that the device and adapter expose an audio input, and check Active input in Settings. A display cable by itself does not provide the music signal to the analyzer.

Select the intended input. On iPhone and iPad, Automatic prefers a connected USB-C audio interface; otherwise use the device microphone.

System Audio: playback on Mac

System Audio listens to audio playing on the Mac after the requested permission is granted. This is separate from microphone capture and from selecting an AirPlay audio destination. System Audio is not an iPhone or iPad capture mode.

Settings › Audio Input. System Audio captures Mac playback; Microphone or an audio device captures its selected input.

Tune capture before visual intensity

Global intensity controls how strongly worlds move, brighten, and respond. Bass, Mids, Highs, and other world controls tune that scene only.

Use calibration first. If noise dominates or the scene is constantly intense, reduce gain or response; Use Defaults restores the recommended starting values.

Keep source volume steady while comparing settings. A distant, muffled speaker or room echo can hide attacks even when the meter is moving.