As a Mac user, you may have found yourself in situations where you need to record your screen, whether it’s to create a tutorial, demonstrate a software feature, or capture a video call. Fortunately, Macs come with a built-in screen recording feature that allows you to capture both video and audio. In this article, we’ll show you how to screen record with audio on Mac, as well as some additional tips and tricks to enhance your recording experience.
Using the Screenshot Toolbar to Record Your Screen
The easiest way to screen record on Mac is by using the Screenshot toolbar. This feature was introduced in macOS Mojave and allows you to capture your screen with just a few clicks. Here’s how to use it:
Accessing the Screenshot Toolbar
To access the Screenshot toolbar, press the following keys simultaneously:
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 5
This will open the Screenshot toolbar, which will appear at the bottom of your screen.
Recording Your Screen
Once the Screenshot toolbar is open, you’ll see several options for capturing your screen. To record your screen, click on the “Record” button, which looks like a circle with a dot in the center. You can choose to record your entire screen or just a selected portion of it.
- To record your entire screen, click on the “Record Entire Screen” button.
- To record a selected portion of your screen, click on the “Record Selected Portion” button and then drag the crosshairs to select the area you want to record.
Adding Audio to Your Recording
By default, the Screenshot toolbar will record your screen with audio. However, you can choose to turn off audio recording if you prefer. To do this, click on the “Options” menu and select “Microphone” to turn it off.
You can also choose to use an external microphone or the microphone built into your Mac’s camera. To do this, click on the “Options” menu and select “Microphone” to choose your preferred audio input.
Using QuickTime Player to Record Your Screen
Another way to screen record on Mac is by using QuickTime Player. This method is a bit more complex than using the Screenshot toolbar, but it offers more advanced features and options. Here’s how to use QuickTime Player to record your screen:
Opening QuickTime Player
To open QuickTime Player, go to your Applications folder and double-click on the QuickTime Player icon.
Recording Your Screen
Once QuickTime Player is open, go to the “File” menu and select “New Screen Recording.” This will open the Screen Recording window, which will allow you to choose your recording settings.
- To record your entire screen, select “Full Screen” from the dropdown menu.
- To record a selected portion of your screen, select “Region” from the dropdown menu and then drag the crosshairs to select the area you want to record.
Adding Audio to Your Recording
To add audio to your recording, click on the “Options” menu and select “Microphone” to choose your preferred audio input. You can choose to use an external microphone or the microphone built into your Mac’s camera.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to enhance your screen recording experience:
Using a External Microphone
If you’re planning to record audio with your screen recording, it’s a good idea to use an external microphone. This will help to improve the quality of your audio and reduce background noise.
Recording in 4K
If you have a Mac with a 4K display, you can record your screen in 4K resolution. To do this, go to the “Options” menu and select “4K” from the dropdown menu.
Editing Your Recording
Once you’ve finished recording your screen, you can edit your recording using QuickTime Player or another video editing software. This will allow you to trim your recording, add annotations, and more.
Conclusion
Screen recording on Mac is a powerful feature that can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating tutorials to capturing video calls. By using the Screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player, you can easily record your screen with audio and enhance your recording experience with additional tips and tricks. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this guide has shown you how to screen record with audio on Mac and take your recordings to the next level.
What is screen recording on a Mac and how does it work?
Screen recording on a Mac is a feature that allows users to capture their screen activity, including audio and video, and save it as a video file. This feature is built into the macOS operating system and can be accessed using the QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar. When you start a screen recording, your Mac will capture everything that happens on your screen, including mouse movements, keyboard input, and any audio that is playing.
The screen recording feature uses the graphics processing unit (GPU) to capture the screen activity, which means that it can handle high-resolution recordings without putting too much strain on the computer’s processor. The recorded video is then saved as a .mov file, which can be played back using QuickTime Player or other video playback software. You can also edit the recorded video using video editing software, such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro.
How do I start a screen recording on my Mac?
To start a screen recording on your Mac, you can use the Screenshot toolbar or the QuickTime Player. To use the Screenshot toolbar, press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. This will open the Screenshot toolbar, which will give you the option to record your entire screen or a selected portion of it. To use QuickTime Player, open the application and select “File” > “New Screen Recording” from the menu.
Once you have started the screen recording, you can click on the “Record” button to begin capturing your screen activity. You can also pause the recording at any time by clicking on the “Pause” button. When you are finished with the recording, click on the “Stop” button to save the video file. You can then find the recorded video in the “Movies” folder on your Mac.
Can I record audio with my screen recording on a Mac?
Yes, you can record audio with your screen recording on a Mac. When you start a screen recording, you will be given the option to record audio from your computer’s microphone or from the computer’s audio output. To record audio from your microphone, select the microphone icon in the Screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player. To record audio from your computer’s audio output, select the “Built-in Audio” option.
When you record audio with your screen recording, the audio will be captured in real-time and will be synchronized with the video. This means that you can capture audio from your computer’s speakers, such as music or video playback, or you can capture audio from your microphone, such as your voice or other external audio sources. The recorded audio will be saved as part of the video file, so you can play it back along with the video.
How do I edit my screen recording on a Mac?
You can edit your screen recording on a Mac using video editing software, such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro. To edit your screen recording, open the video file in your chosen video editing software and use the software’s editing tools to trim, cut, and arrange the video clips. You can also add transitions, effects, and titles to your video using the software’s built-in features.
In addition to using video editing software, you can also use the QuickTime Player to trim your screen recording. To do this, open the video file in QuickTime Player and select “Edit” > “Trim” from the menu. This will allow you to trim the beginning and end of the video, as well as remove any unwanted sections from the middle.
Can I share my screen recording on a Mac?
Yes, you can share your screen recording on a Mac. Once you have recorded and edited your screen recording, you can share it with others by exporting it as a video file or uploading it to a video sharing website. To export your screen recording as a video file, open the video file in QuickTime Player or video editing software and select “File” > “Export” from the menu.
You can also upload your screen recording to video sharing websites, such as YouTube or Vimeo. To do this, open the video file in QuickTime Player or video editing software and select “File” > “Share” from the menu. This will give you the option to upload the video to a variety of video sharing websites, as well as to share it via email or social media.
Are there any limitations to screen recording on a Mac?
Yes, there are some limitations to screen recording on a Mac. One limitation is that you can only record your screen activity in real-time, which means that you cannot record your screen activity in slow motion or fast motion. Another limitation is that you can only record audio from your computer’s microphone or audio output, which means that you cannot record audio from external sources, such as a separate audio recorder.
Additionally, screen recording on a Mac can be affected by the computer’s processing power and memory. If your Mac is running low on processing power or memory, the screen recording may be choppy or may not capture all of the screen activity. To avoid this, make sure that your Mac is running smoothly and that you have enough free memory and processing power available.
Is screen recording on a Mac secure?
Yes, screen recording on a Mac is secure. When you record your screen activity, the video file is saved locally on your Mac, which means that it is not transmitted over the internet unless you choose to upload it to a video sharing website. Additionally, the video file is encrypted, which means that it cannot be accessed by unauthorized users.
However, as with any digital file, there is a risk that the video file could be accessed by unauthorized users if your Mac is compromised by malware or if you share the file with someone who is not authorized to view it. To minimize this risk, make sure to keep your Mac secure by installing anti-virus software and keeping your operating system up to date.