When you record with Roll, you can get studio-quality audio using tools you already have. This guide walks you through how to get the cleanest, crispest sound - whether you're using your built-in mic or a professional external one.
1. Wear headphones (Seriously, This Makes a Huge Difference)
Headphones are the #1 way to improve your audio quality - and theyâre required if you want to use an external microphone with Roll.
Why headphones matter
When you're not wearing headphones, sound from your speakers can loop back into your mic, creating echo, feedback, and messy audio. To help with this, Roll automatically enables echo cancellation.
What is echo cancellation?
Echo cancellation is a real-time filter that detects and removes sound from your speakers before it reaches your mic. It helps prevent:
Echo (your voice repeating back)
Feedback (that high-pitched screech)
Other participantsâ voices being picked up by your mic
While useful, echo cancellation can slightly distort your voice. You may hear:
Clipping (parts of words cut off)
A processed or âtinnyâ sound
Loss of richness in your tone
Wearing headphones fixes this
When you're wearing headphones:
No speaker audio leaks into your mic
Echo cancellation is automatically turned off
You get clean, natural sound with no distortion
â ď¸ Important: Headphones are required to use an external mic with Roll. If you donât wear them, Roll will default to built-in audio and enable echo cancellation.
đ§ How to enable âIâm wearing headphonesâ in Roll
Plug your headphones into your computer
Join your live session on Roll
In the sidebar, look for the audio settings section
Toggle the option that says âIâm wearing headphonesâ
This disables echo cancellation and allows external mic use
đŻ Be accurate! If you select "Iâm wearing headphones" but you're not actually wearing them, your audio may echo for others in the session.
2. Use a good microphone
Once youâre wearing headphones, even your built-in mic will sound better. But to take it to the next level, we recommend using an external microphone.
External mics help:
Deliver fuller, warmer, and clearer sound
Cut down on background noise
Make you sound more professional and polished
Most USB or plug-and-play desktop mics work effortlessly with Roll.
Need help picking one?
Check out:
â ď¸ Remember: Headphones are required to use an external mic with Roll. If you donât wear them, Roll will default to built-in audio and enable echo cancellation.
3. Recording with Your Phone + Desktop Mic
Want to use your phone for video and your computer for audio? Hereâs how to get the best of both worlds:
â Step-by-step setup
Plug headphones into your computer
This disables echo cancellation and enables external mic support.Join the live Roll session on your computer
In the sidebar, select âIâm wearing headphonesâ
Connect your external microphone to your computer
On your desktop sidebar:
Set your speakers to your connected headphones
Set your microphone to your preferred desktop/external mic
Make sure your audio is working correctly on your computer
Confirm that:Your external mic is selected as your input mic source
Youâre hearing sound through your headphones
Once your desktop audio setup is confirmed, you're ready to set up your phone for video capture
Open the Roll app on your iPhone, or Android
Log in using the same email as your computer
If logged in correctly, youâll see a big yellow âJoinâ button on your phone - Roll detects that you're already in a call
Tap Join to connect your phoneâs camera to the session
đŹ Pro tip: Always do a short test recording to make sure your audio and video are working perfectly before you go live.