pocket sfxfaq
Short answers about buying, installing and using Pocket SFX. Can't find yours? The PDF guide that comes with the app goes through every button, or write to us.
buying
How much does Pocket SFX cost?
$10 (USD), paid once on Gumroad. VAT or sales tax is added at checkout where it applies. No subscription, no account.
What's in the download?
An installer for Windows (no admin rights needed), a .dmg for Mac, and the Pocket SFX guide as a PDF: a dark edition for screens and a light one for print.
Is it a subscription?
No. You pay once and keep the app. It doesn't phone home and has no login.
Who makes it?
Pocket SFX is made by one independent developer, who built it for their own sound recording first. Version 0.1.0 is the first public release.
system and setup
Which computers does it run on?
Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer) and Windows 11, 64-bit. macOS 12 or newer on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and later). Intel Macs and Linux are not supported.
Which microphone do I need?
Any microphone or audio interface your computer can see. Pocket SFX records mono from input 1, input 2 or both mixed. On Windows it uses WASAPI, on Mac Core Audio.
Does it need the internet?
No. It works fully offline.
Windows or macOS says it can't check the app. What do I do?
Pocket SFX is not signed with an Apple or Microsoft certificate yet, so your computer asks once if you trust it.
windows
- Run the installer. Windows says "Windows protected your PC".
- Click (more info), then (run anyway).
- No microphone? Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone > let desktop apps access your microphone.
mac
- Open the .dmg and drag Pocket SFX into Applications.
- Open it. macOS says it can't check the app. Click (done).
- System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down, click (open anyway).
- Allow the microphone.
recording and files
What file format does it record?
Mono WAV at 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz, in 16-bit, 24-bit or 32-bit float. The default is 48 kHz, 24-bit.
Can I import audio I already have?
Yes: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MP3, CAF and W64 files, or whole folders with their sub-folders. They're converted to the project's format; the originals are never touched. M4A and AAC don't work.
Where are my files?
In the project folder, in plain sight: Recordings/<group>/ for takes (with the folders you made in the app) and Compositions/ for exported layers. Folders in the app are folders on disk.
Can I move a project to another computer?
Yes. Paths inside a project are saved relative, so you can move, copy or zip the whole folder and open it anywhere.
Is editing destructive?
No. The untouched recording is kept in a _raw folder, and the named file is re-rendered from it when you change a trim or fade. Undo covers everything, including file moves and deletes.
Can I use my recordings commercially?
Your recordings are your own files. Pocket SFX doesn't add anything to them or claim anything about them.
vat / sales tax added at checkout where it applies.