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 built-in screen recording capabilities that allow you to capture both video and audio. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to record your screen with audio on a Mac, including the built-in tools and third-party software.
Using the Built-in Screen Recording Tool
MacOS has a built-in screen recording tool that allows you to capture your screen with audio. This tool is located in the QuickTime Player app, which comes pre-installed on all Macs. To access the screen recording tool, follow these steps:
Recording Your Screen with Audio Using QuickTime Player
- Open the QuickTime Player app on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or use Spotlight to search for it.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “New Screen Recording” from the drop-down menu.
- A window will appear with a red record button. Click on this button to start the screen recording process.
- You will be prompted to select the area of the screen you want to record. You can choose to record the entire screen or select a specific region.
- Once you’ve selected the area, click on the “Start Recording” button.
- To capture audio, make sure the microphone is selected as the audio input device. You can do this by clicking on the arrow next to the record button and selecting the microphone from the drop-down menu.
- Start speaking or playing the audio you want to capture.
- To stop the recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Recording Your Screen with Audio Using the Screenshot Toolbar
In MacOS Mojave and later, you can also use the Screenshot toolbar to record your screen with audio. To access the Screenshot toolbar, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard.
- The Screenshot toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Click on the “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion” button to start the screen recording process.
- To capture audio, make sure the microphone is selected as the audio input device. You can do this by clicking on the arrow next to the record button and selecting the microphone from the drop-down menu.
- Start speaking or playing the audio you want to capture.
- To stop the recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Using Third-Party Screen Recording Software
While the built-in screen recording tool is convenient, it may not offer all the features you need. Third-party screen recording software can provide more advanced features, such as video editing, annotation tools, and the ability to record multiple screens at once. Some popular third-party screen recording software for Mac includes:
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording software that is popular among gamers and content creators. It offers advanced features such as video editing, chroma keying, and audio mixing.
Camtasia
Camtasia is a paid screen recording software that offers advanced features such as video editing, annotation tools, and the ability to record multiple screens at once. It’s popular among educators, marketers, and content creators.
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is a paid screen recording software that offers advanced features such as video editing, annotation tools, and the ability to record multiple screens at once. It’s popular among educators, marketers, and content creators.
Recording Audio from Multiple Sources
When recording your screen with audio, you may need to capture audio from multiple sources, such as your microphone and computer audio. This can be useful when creating tutorials, demonstrations, or video calls. To record audio from multiple sources, you can use the following methods:
Using the Built-in Audio Mixer
MacOS has a built-in audio mixer that allows you to record audio from multiple sources. To access the audio mixer, follow these steps:
- Open the QuickTime Player app on your Mac.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “New Screen Recording” from the drop-down menu.
- A window will appear with a red record button. Click on this button to start the screen recording process.
- Click on the arrow next to the record button and select “Show Microphone Options” from the drop-down menu.
- In the audio mixer window, select the microphone and computer audio as the input devices.
- Adjust the audio levels as needed.
Using Third-Party Audio Mixer Software
Third-party audio mixer software can provide more advanced features, such as audio editing and effects. Some popular third-party audio mixer software for Mac includes:
Audacity
Audacity is a free and open-source audio mixer software that offers advanced features such as audio editing and effects.
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is a paid audio mixer software that offers advanced features such as audio editing and effects.
Editing Your Screen Recording
Once you’ve recorded your screen with audio, you may need to edit the video to remove mistakes, add annotations, or trim the video. You can use video editing software such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere Pro to edit your screen recording.
Adding Annotations and Effects
Annotations and effects can enhance your screen recording and make it more engaging. You can use video editing software to add annotations, such as text, arrows, and shapes, to your screen recording. You can also add effects, such as transitions and animations, to make your video more dynamic.
Trimming and Splitting Your Video
Trimming and splitting your video can help you remove mistakes and create a more concise video. You can use video editing software to trim the beginning and end of your video, as well as split the video into multiple segments.
Sharing Your Screen Recording
Once you’ve edited your screen recording, you can share it with others. You can upload your video to video sharing platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia, or share it directly with others via email or messaging apps.
Uploading to Video Sharing Platforms
Uploading your video to video sharing platforms can help you reach a wider audience. You can upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia, and share the link with others.
Sharing via Email or Messaging Apps
Sharing your video via email or messaging apps can help you share it with others quickly and easily. You can attach your video to an email or send it via messaging apps, such as WhatsApp or Slack.
In conclusion, recording your screen with audio on a Mac is a straightforward process that can be done using the built-in screen recording tool or third-party software. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create high-quality screen recordings with audio that can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating tutorials to demonstrating software features.
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.