Using Professional Studio Microphones with WhatsApp on a Computer

A client wanted to use his Røde NT1-A microphone and Focusrite Scarlett interface on WhatsApp, and the way to do it was the WhatsApp desktop app on a computer.

He was my sixth job of the day. He has a proper voiceover setup, a Røde NT1-A going into a Focusrite Scarlett, and his question was whether he could use it with WhatsApp on his mobile. What he was after was talking to people with his good microphone.

On the mobile, my answer was no, you can’t. But if the goal is to speak to people over WhatsApp with your nice microphone and voice equipment, that is absolutely possible from a computer, with the WhatsApp desktop app.

The WhatsApp desktop app has its own audio settings, where you can pick your audio interface for both input and output.

I talked him through it. The first step is to download the WhatsApp desktop app. In the app, you click the cog in the bottom left-hand corner and go into the audio settings. There are two things to change there.

Audio input: the Scarlett, so WhatsApp hears the NT1-A.
Audio output: the Scarlett as well, so he can hear his voice in his studio headphones.

I also showed him how to switch back again to the built-in microphone in his webcam, which may be more convenient on other occasions.

It was a simple problem to solve. He was happy to know he can use his voiceover equipment in WhatsApp, and that his voice, which is his instrument, is being heard at its best.

For WhatsApp calls on a studio microphone, use the desktop app on the computer your interface is connected to and choose the interface in its audio settings.

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