cannot record audio when reaches AudioFileCreateWithURL

[losingSkillz]

Hi guys,
latel i am having some trouble with recording audio. i have been following the "Trails in the Sand" guide. currently i have trouble with the following lines in part 5 of the tutorial:

status = AudioFileCreateWithURL(fileURL,
                kAudioFileAIFFType,
                &recordState.dataFormat,
                kAudioFileFlags_EraseFile,
                &recordState.audioFile);

i think that this is where the file is created along with parameters about the file type and some other data. i can build the project but when i run the app, i cannot get past that.
note: i have a mic plugged in and i tested it by using the voice memos app.
Any help is appreciated!