Spike Recorder

What Spike Recorder is

Spike Recorder is our free software for viewing, recording, playing back, and analyzing electrical signals from Backyard Brains devices such as SpikerBoxes and SpikerShields (retired).

Our devices detect small electrical signals from muscles, the heart, the brain, eyes, neurons or plants, depending on the device and experiment. Spike Recorder displays those signals as a moving waveform on your computer, phone, or tablet.

Note: A waveform is a line graph that changes over time. In Spike Recorder, the waveform shows the signal coming from your device.

Supported platforms and hardware

Spike Recorder is available for:

1. Windows
2. macOS
3. Linux
4. iOS / iPadOS
5. Android
6. Web (in development)

Required hardware: You’ll need a computer/laptop, phone, or tablet that can run Spike Recorder. Before choosing which device to use for recording, first check compatibility and available connection types to make sure it will work with your setup.

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Next steps

Once you have Spike Recorder installed, the next step is connecting your Backyard Brains device and making sure your signal looks right.

• Read about connection methods: Learn the different ways to connect your device to Spike Recorder.

• Troubleshoot Spike Recorder: Having trouble seeing a signal, connecting your device, or getting clean recordings? Start here for common fixes.