Howler MK2 Manual
Everything you need to know about your Howler recorder+streamer MK2. How to set it up, starting a recording or livestream, and transferring files.
Have an older model? Here is the manual for Howler MK1.
1. Product overview
2. Connecting audio
- Connect the REC output of your mixer/device directly to the RCA IN connectors of your Howler.
- That was it! Easy, right?
2.1 THRU audio (optional)
If you don’t have a dedicated REC out on your mixer available you can use Howler’s THRU function. Just connect any sound output of your mixer/device (the Master or Booth output for example) to your Howler’s RCA IN connectors. Then connect Howler’s RCA THRU connectors to the speakers / PA system.
3. Recording setup
- Make sure a microSD card is inserted in your Howlers card slot. Each Howler is shipped with a microSD card already inserted and is ready to record. If your Howler doesn’t contain a microSD card, insert one. It can take up to 5 seconds before the card is initialised after inserting/turning on Howler.
- Select your recording format by setting the Mode switch to WAV or MP3:
- WAV provides higher audio quality (24 bit/48 kHz), but creates larger files. (Max ~4GB per file = ~3.5 hours of recording. Howler automatically continues to record in a new file when the file size exceeds).
- MP3 is of slightly lesser audio quality (320 kbps), but creates much smaller files. (Able to record at least 25 hours in one file). - Play audio on your mixer and check the LEVEL indicator on Howler. If the LEVEL indicator is green the volume is correct, when it is red the volume is too loud.
- You are ready to record your musical masterpiece! Press the RECORD button to start recording. While recording, the RECORD button slowly pulses red. Press the RECORD button again to stop and save your recording.
- Howler is correctly recording when the RECORD button is slowly pulsing, and the LEVEL indicator is blinking green. See the BATTERY and LEVEL indicators section below for more information.
If the RECORD button blinks rapidly directly after you've pushed it, there is something wrong with the microSD card, or the microSD card is full.
4. Livestreaming setup
- Connect the REC output of your mixer/device to the RCA IN connectors of your Howler.
- Play audio on your mixer and check the LEVEL indicator on Howler. If the LEVEL indicator is green the volume is correct, when it is red the volume is too loud.
- Connect a phone, tablet or computer to the USB-C port on your Howler with a USB-C cable.*
- The USB AUDIO indicator will turn blue when a connection is made.
- Start a livestream on your favorite streaming platform. The USB AUDIO indicator will slowly pulse blue while the livestream is active.
- Optional: you can start a Howler recording while livestreaming. Just press the RECORD button to start, and again to stop recording.
* iPhone users with a Lightning port require an Apple USB camera adapter, or our Lightning Pack, to be able to connect external USB devices like Howler. Phones/devices with a USB-C port only need a USB-C cable to connect. Make sure the USB-C cable supports data transfer. If you want to charge your phone while using your Howler, you can use our USB-C Pack.
Also check out our guide on getting pro audio for DJ livestreams for tips & tricks on getting the best out of your livestreams.
5. Filming setup
- Connect the REC output of your mixer/device to the RCA IN connectors of your Howler.
- Play audio on your mixer and check the LEVEL indicator on Howler. If the LEVEL indicator is green the volume is correct, when it is red the volume is too loud.
- Connect your phone to the USB-C port on your Howler with a USB-C cable.*
- The USB AUDIO indicator will turn blue when a connection is made.
- Start recording a video with your phone’s camera app. The USB AUDIO indicator will slowly pulse blue while the livestream is active.
- Optional: you can start a Howler recording while filming. Just press the RECORD button to start, and again to stop recording.
* iPhone users with a Lightning port require an Apple USB camera adapter, or our Lightning Pack, to be able to connect external USB devices like Howler. Phones/devices with a USB-C port only need a USB-C cable to connect. Make sure the USB-C cable supports data transfer. If you want to charge your phone while using your Howler, you can use our USB-C Pack.
Also check out our guide on getting pro audio for DJ livestreams for tips & tricks on getting the best out of your livestreams.
6. Indicator LEDs
Recording Indicator
Howler is turned off, is set to TRANSFER, or there is no microSD card inserted.
Howler is ready to record. Press to start recording.
Howler is currently recording.
If the RECORD button blinks rapidly directly after you've pushed it, there is something wrong with the microSD card, or the microSD card is full.
USB AUDIO Indicator
This indicator is off when Howler is in recording mode and no device is connected via USB-C.
Howler is in transfer mode but no device is connected via USB-C.
Howler is in transfer mode with a device connected. The indicator slowly pulses when Howler is actively transferring data.
Howler is in recording mode with a device connected via USB-C. The indicator slowly pulses when Howler is actively livestreaming.
Level Indicator
The LEVEL indicator is green at proper recording volume.
If the LEVEL indicator is blinking red this means the volume is too high. Turn down the volume of the sound source to avoid clipping in the recording.
Read our post on getting clean, distortion-free recordings to get more in-depth information about recording volume.
Battery Indicator
Howler is able to record over 20 hours on a full battery. When Howler is switched on, the BATTERY indicator can show the following charge levels:
Battery is
charging
100–50%
charge
50–25%
charge
25–10%
charge
10–5%
charge
The BATTERY indicator blinks red when you have around 5% battery left. You are unable to start new recordings until you connect a charger.
The BATTERY indicator blinks red rapidly when the battery is totally depleted. Your ongoing recording is automatically saved to the microSD card just before depletion.
7. Dongle use
If you want to keep your phone charged while using your Howler, we’ve got you covered. Using the dongle from either the USB-C Pack or the Lightning Pack you can connect both your Howler and a charging cable to your phone. Just follow these steps:
- Connect your Howler’s USB-C port to the left port of the dongle.
- Connect the charger cable to the right port of the dongle.
- Plug the dongle’s cable into your phone.
8. Setting the correct date and time
Set your Howler's time and date to keep recordings properly timestamped:
9. Transferring files
Transferring your recordings from the microSD card in the Howler to your phone or computer can be done in two ways:
- Take out the microSD card and put it in the SD card reader of your computer.
- Connect your Howler directly to your phone or computer with a USB-C cable.
- To connect directly to a phone, tablet or computer, connect that device to the USB-C port on your Howler with a USB-C cable.*
- Turn on your Howler and set the Mode switch to TRANSFER.
- Your Howler will now show up on your device as external storage and you can browse your recordings. (Consult the user manual of your phone/computer on where to access external storages.)
- Always "safely eject" an external storage before disconnecting any cables or turning Howler off to prevent data corruption of your recordings. (Consult the user manual of your phone/computer on how to do this).
* iPhones with a Lightning port require our Lightning Pack to connect.
For connecting the Howler to a phone using a USB-C cable we have two step-by-step guides:
10. Technical specifications
- File storage: MicroSD card
- Recording format: WAV or MP3 (320 kbps)
- Recording quality: 24-bit & 48 kHz
- Streaming quality: 24-bit & 48 kHz
- File-transfer compatibility: iOS, macOS, Android, Windows
- Power-supply: 5V USB-C
- Battery: Rechargeable Li-Po battery, up to 20 recording hours
- Dimensions: 88 x 63 x 28 mm (L, W, H)
- Weight: 122 g
11. Howler MK2 Compatible MicroSD cards
While we recommend using the included Howler microSD card, the MK2 has been tested and confirmed to work with the following cards:
- Samsung Pro Endurance 128GB
- Sandisk Extreme GO 64GB
- PNY Elite 64GB
MicroSD cards for Howler MK2 can be formatted either ExFAT or FAT32 but we recommend using ExFAT.
