Screen recording is a powerful tool that allows you to capture and share your screen activity with others. Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or demonstrating software, screen recording is an essential skill to have. In this article, we’ll show you how to screen record on a MacBook with audio, covering the built-in tools and third-party software options.
Using the Built-in Screen Recording Tool
MacBooks come with a built-in screen recording tool that allows you to capture your screen activity with ease. This tool is located in the QuickTime Player app, which is pre-installed on all Macs.
Recording Your Screen with QuickTime Player
To record your screen with QuickTime Player, follow these steps:
- Open QuickTime Player by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications > QuickTime Player.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “New Screen Recording” from the drop-down menu.
- A screen recording window will appear, showing your screen and a record button. Click on the record button to start recording.
- To stop recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
- Your recorded video will be saved as a .mov file in the location you specified.
Recording Audio with QuickTime Player
By default, QuickTime Player records your screen without audio. To record audio, you’ll need to select the correct audio input source. Here’s how:
- Before starting your screen recording, click on the arrow next to the record button and select your audio input source from the drop-down menu.
- If you want to record your system audio, select “Built-in Microphone” or “External Microphone” depending on your setup.
- If you want to record audio from a specific app, select “Application” and choose the app from the list.
Using Third-Party Screen Recording Software
While QuickTime Player is a great built-in tool, there are many third-party screen recording software options available that offer more features and flexibility. Here are a few popular options:
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording software that’s popular among gamers and content creators. It offers advanced features like chroma keying, audio mixing, and support for multiple video sources.
Recording Your Screen with OBS Studio
To record your screen with OBS Studio, follow these steps:
- Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Launch OBS Studio and select “Settings” from the top menu bar.
- In the Settings window, select “Video” and choose your screen resolution and frame rate.
- Select “Audio” and choose your audio input source.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to begin recording your screen.
Camtasia
Camtasia is a popular screen recording software that offers advanced features like video editing, screen drawing, and support for multiple video sources. It’s a paid software, but offers a free trial.
Recording Your Screen with Camtasia
To record your screen with Camtasia, follow these steps:
- Download and install Camtasia from the official website.
- Launch Camtasia and select “Record” from the top menu bar.
- In the Record window, select your screen resolution and frame rate.
- Select your audio input source and adjust the audio levels.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to begin recording your screen.
Recording Audio from Multiple Sources
When recording your screen, you may want to capture audio from multiple sources, such as your system audio, microphone, and external audio devices. Here’s how to do it:
Using the “Aggregate Device” Feature
MacBooks have a built-in feature called “Aggregate Device” that allows you to combine multiple audio devices into a single audio source. Here’s how to use it:
- Go to System Preferences > Sound.
- Click on the “Input” tab and select “Aggregate Device” from the list.
- In the Aggregate Device window, select the audio devices you want to combine.
- Click on the “Apply” button to save the changes.
Using Third-Party Audio Software
There are many third-party audio software options available that allow you to record audio from multiple sources. Here are a few popular options:
| Software | Features |
|---|---|
| Audacity | Free, open-source audio editor that supports multi-track recording. |
| Adobe Audition | Professional audio editing software that supports multi-track recording and advanced audio effects. |
Editing Your Screen Recording
Once you’ve recorded your screen, you may want to edit the video to add annotations, transitions, and other effects. Here are a few popular video editing software options:
iMovie
iMovie is a free video editing software that comes pre-installed on all Macs. It offers a range of features like video trimming, transitions, and color correction.
Editing Your Screen Recording with iMovie
To edit your screen recording with iMovie, follow these steps:
- Import your screen recording into iMovie by clicking on “File” > “Import Media”.
- Select the video clip you want to edit and drag it to the timeline.
- Use the editing tools to trim, split, and merge clips.
- Add transitions and effects to enhance your video.
- Export your edited video by clicking on “File” > “Export”.
Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro X is a professional video editing software that offers advanced features like multi-camera editing, color grading, and visual effects. It’s a paid software, but offers a free trial.
Editing Your Screen Recording with Final Cut Pro X
To edit your screen recording with Final Cut Pro X, follow these steps:
- Import your screen recording into Final Cut Pro X by clicking on “File” > “Import Media”.
- Select the video clip you want to edit and drag it to the timeline.
- Use the editing tools to trim, split, and merge clips.
- Add transitions and effects to enhance your video.
- Export your edited video by clicking on “File” > “Export”.
Conclusion
Screen recording is a powerful tool that allows you to capture and share your screen activity with others. Whether you’re using the built-in QuickTime Player or third-party software, recording audio is an essential part of the process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can record high-quality audio from multiple sources and edit your screen recording to create a professional-looking video.
What is screen recording and how does it work on a MacBook?
Screen recording is the process of capturing the content displayed on a computer screen, often accompanied by audio, to create a video file. On a MacBook, screen recording can be done using the built-in QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar. The Screenshot toolbar is a more recent feature introduced by Apple, which provides a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for capturing screenshots and recording screens.
When you initiate a screen recording on your MacBook, the operating system starts capturing the video and audio signals from your screen and microphone, respectively. The recorded video is then saved as a file on your computer, which can be edited, shared, or uploaded to various platforms. The quality of the screen recording depends on various factors, including the resolution of your screen, the quality of your microphone, and the performance of your MacBook.
What are the different methods for screen recording on a MacBook?
There are two primary methods for screen recording on a MacBook: using the QuickTime Player and using the Screenshot toolbar. The QuickTime Player method involves opening the QuickTime Player application, selecting “File” > “New Screen Recording,” and then choosing the desired recording settings. The Screenshot toolbar method involves pressing the Command + Shift + 5 keys, selecting the screen recording option, and then choosing the desired recording settings.
Both methods offer similar functionality, but the Screenshot toolbar method is generally more convenient and easier to use. Additionally, the Screenshot toolbar method provides more advanced features, such as the ability to record a selected portion of the screen or to include the microphone audio in the recording.
How do I record my MacBook screen with audio?
To record your MacBook screen with audio, you can use either the QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar method. In both cases, you will need to select the microphone as the audio input device. If you are using the QuickTime Player method, you can select the microphone by clicking on the arrow next to the record button and choosing “Microphone” from the dropdown menu. If you are using the Screenshot toolbar method, you can select the microphone by clicking on the “Options” menu and choosing “Microphone” from the list.
Once you have selected the microphone, you can start the screen recording by clicking on the record button. The audio from your microphone will be captured along with the video from your screen. You can adjust the audio levels and settings as needed to ensure that the audio is clear and of good quality.
Can I record a selected portion of my MacBook screen?
Yes, you can record a selected portion of your MacBook screen using the Screenshot toolbar method. To do this, press the Command + Shift + 5 keys, and then select the “Record Selected Portion” option from the Screenshot toolbar. You will then be able to drag a rectangle around the portion of the screen that you want to record.
Once you have selected the portion of the screen, you can start the recording by clicking on the record button. The recording will capture only the selected portion of the screen, along with any audio from your microphone. This feature is useful for creating tutorials or demonstrations that focus on a specific part of the screen.
How do I edit my screen recordings on a MacBook?
You can edit your screen recordings on a MacBook using various video editing software applications, such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere Pro. These applications provide a range of tools and features for editing and enhancing your screen recordings, including trimming, cutting, and arranging clips, adding transitions and effects, and adjusting audio levels.
To edit your screen recordings, simply import the video file into your chosen video editing application, and then use the various tools and features to make the desired changes. You can also add additional elements, such as text overlays, images, or music, to enhance the video and make it more engaging.
Can I share my screen recordings from a MacBook?
Yes, you can share your screen recordings from a MacBook using various methods, including uploading to video sharing platforms, sharing via email or messaging apps, or exporting to other devices. You can upload your screen recordings to platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook, or share them via email or messaging apps such as Mail or Messages.
You can also export your screen recordings to other devices, such as iPhones or iPads, using AirDrop or other file transfer methods. Additionally, you can share your screen recordings with others by providing them with a link to the video file or by embedding the video in a website or presentation.
Are there any limitations or restrictions on screen recording on a MacBook?
Yes, there are some limitations and restrictions on screen recording on a MacBook. For example, some applications may not allow screen recording, or may restrict the recording to certain areas of the screen. Additionally, some copyright laws may prohibit the recording of certain content, such as movies or music videos.
It is also worth noting that screen recording can consume significant system resources, including CPU power and disk space. Therefore, it is recommended to close any unnecessary applications and to ensure that your MacBook has sufficient disk space before initiating a screen recording.