Device Setup

Proper device configuration ensures the best recording quality. This guide covers selecting and testing your microphone and camera.

The advice here applies everywhere Capturly records — desktop, browser, and mobile. Where a step differs by platform, it’s called out.

Microphone Setup

Selecting Your Microphone

1. Connect your microphone before launching Capturly
2. In Capturly, click the Microphone dropdown
3. Select your preferred microphone from the list

Microphone Types

Testing Your Microphone

The audio level meter shows your input levels in real-time:

• Green zone: Good levels, normal speech
• Yellow zone: Loud but acceptable, occasional peaks
• Red zone: Too loud, audio may clip/distort

Ideal levels: Your normal speaking voice should register in the green zone with occasional peaks into yellow. If you’re constantly hitting red, speak softer or move back from the microphone.

Microphone Tips

• Position: Keep a consistent distance of 6-12 inches (15-30cm)
• Angle: Speak across the microphone, not directly into it, to reduce plosives
• Pop filter: Use one to minimize “p” and “b” sounds
• Environment: Record in a quiet room with soft surfaces to reduce echo

Camera Setup

Selecting Your Camera

1. Connect your camera before launching Capturly
2. In Capturly, click the Camera dropdown
3. Select your camera from the list
4. Preview appears showing the camera feed

Camera Types

Camera Preview

The preview window shows exactly what will be recorded:

• Mirror mode: Preview is mirrored for natural viewing (recording is not mirrored)
• Framing: Center yourself in the frame with some headroom
• Lighting: Your face should be evenly lit from the front

Camera Tips

• Eye level: Position your camera at eye level for natural appearance
• Lighting: Face a window or use a ring light; avoid backlighting
• Background: Keep it simple and uncluttered
• Stability: Use a tripod or stable mount to prevent shake

Audio-Only Recording

To record audio without video:

1. In the Camera dropdown, select No Camera
2. Only audio files will be produced
3. File sizes will be smaller

This is useful for:

• Audio-only podcasts
• Voice-overs
• When camera isn’t available

Troubleshooting Device Issues

Microphone Not Listed

1. Check connection: Ensure the microphone is properly connected
2. Check permissions: Verify Capturly has microphone permission
3. Restart Capturly: Close and reopen to refresh the device list
4. Check other apps: Close apps that might be using the microphone
5. System check: Verify the microphone works in system settings

Camera Not Listed

1. Check connection: Ensure the camera is properly connected
2. Check permissions: Verify Capturly has camera permission
3. USB ports: Try a different USB port (prefer USB 3.0 for best quality)
4. Drivers: On Windows, ensure camera drivers are installed
5. Other apps: Close apps that might be using the camera (Zoom, Teams, etc.)

Audio Levels Too Low

• Move closer to the microphone
• Check your audio interface gain settings
• Ensure the correct input is selected (some interfaces have multiple inputs)
• Verify no hardware mute is engaged

Audio Levels Too High

• Move further from the microphone
• Reduce gain on your audio interface
• Speak more softly
• Use a pad switch if your microphone has one

Camera Preview Black or Frozen

• Unplug and reconnect the camera
• Try a different USB port
• Close other applications using the camera
• Check if a privacy shutter is covering the lens
• On laptops, check if camera is disabled in BIOS/settings

Devices in the browser

The web app uses the same device pickers, but the browser owns permissions:

• The first time you record, the browser asks for camera and microphone access. Deny it and the pickers stay empty until you re-allow the site.
• Device names stay hidden until you’ve granted permission once — before that, browsers report generic labels like “Microphone 1”.
• Chrome, Edge, and Safari 16.4+ are supported. Firefox is not.
• Re-check permissions from the padlock icon in the address bar.

Devices on mobile

The mobile apps use the phone’s own camera and microphone, and ask for permission on first launch. Connecting a USB audio interface to an iPhone or iPad lets a session run at 96 kHz — the built-in microphones are capped at 48 kHz by the hardware on every plan. See Mobile.

Recommended Equipment

Budget-Friendly

• Audio: Audio-Technica ATR2100x, Samson Q2U
• Video: Logitech C920, C922

Mid-Range

• Audio: Shure MV7, Elgato Wave:3
• Video: Logitech Brio, Razer Kiyo Pro

Professional

• Audio: Shure SM7B + audio interface, Rode PodMic
• Video: Sony ZV-1 + capture card, Elgato Facecam Pro

Next Steps

With your devices configured:

• Make your first recording
• Learn about recording features
• Set up online recording with guests