load audio file as array

I am doing a project in which I have to count the number of heart beats in a heartbeat audio. In matlab you can load the audio file in the form of an array and later manipulate that array. I want to do a similar thing in my android app. Is it possible to load an audio file in the form an array and later manipulate the value in that array or any similar method. If not then there might be another way. I have to record the audio signal. So while recording as the samples are coming can they be stored in an array so that they can be later manipulated. Your help would be highly appreciated.