He was the eldest child of court musician Bartholomäus Barbandt (1687-1764).
Carl Barbrandt was employed as the organist at the Bavarian Embassy Chapel in London from 1764.
He was one of the first clarinet players in England and also played the oboe, the flute and the organ.
His 1766 collection Sacred Hymns, Anthems and Versicles was the first Catholic music published in England since William Byrd's Gradualia.
He is best known as the man who recognised Samuel Webbe's talent and who provided him with his musical education.