Record piano playing: MIDI notes or microphone audio

Basic SheetSnap recording is free. Live MIDI records key timing, velocity and sustain-pedal events, then creates notation you can review and save as a practice piece. Microphone recording captures actual sound for listening and download; it does not automatically turn an acoustic performance into reliable note data.

Prepared by SheetSnap. Editorially updated 2026-10-08; not reviewed by a music teacher. English guide; practice suggestions are not a substitute for individual teaching.

Notes or actual sound?

Use MIDI to replay notes in Practice, annotate generated notation and make visuals. Use microphone audio to hear the acoustic performance. Importing a MIDI file, recording live MIDI and exporting a video are separate workflows. Touch-keyboard taps are also recordable, but their note lengths are estimated.

Record with a metronome

Open Record from Library. Connect MIDI, optionally enable Metronome and select a tempo, then press Record. Stop and check the falling-note or notation preview. Change the tempo or rhythm grid if needed, then Save to library. Open a saved MIDI take in Practice to replay it and use its notes for visuals.

Know what was interpreted

Generated notation interprets human timing on a rhythm grid; it is not guaranteed publisher-quality transcription. Original MIDI event data and playback timing are retained separately. Microphone takes can be played and downloaded from Record, but do not drive falling-note grading.

Headphones help audio recording

A microphone may capture the metronome or speakers. Headphones reduce bleed; the app does not promise to remove it afterward. MIDI saves musical events rather than an audio track, so the click is not part of the MIDI take. Microphone permission is requested only when you select audio recording.

Free limits and backup

MIDI/touch takes stop at 15 minutes or 10,000 notes. Standalone microphone audio stops at 14 minutes, with a 64 MiB safety limit. Basic recording and practice of your saved takes are free. Creator video exports retain separate access/usage limits. Signed-in saved takes participate in private backups within account capacity; guest takes remain on this device.

Try it with a real score

Record a free take

The free starter path needs no purchase. Your own imports require eligible Pro access; the founding beta is subject to its displayed capacity and timeframe.

Keep exploring

Choose your first songs or read the import guide.