Are you looking for ways to record your MacBook screen with audio? Whether you’re a content creator, a teacher, or a business professional, screen recording is an essential tool for creating tutorials, presentations, and demonstrations. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods for recording your MacBook screen with audio, including built-in tools, third-party software, and external devices.
Using Built-in Tools: QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar
MacBooks come with two built-in tools that allow you to record your screen with audio: QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar. These tools are free, easy to use, and don’t require any additional software or equipment.
Recording with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a media player that comes pre-installed on MacBooks. It also has a screen recording feature that allows you to capture your screen with audio. Here’s how to use it:
- Open QuickTime Player by searching for it in Spotlight or finding it in the Applications folder.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “New Screen Recording.”
- A window will appear with a red record button. Click on this button to start recording your screen.
- To record audio, click on the arrow next to the record button and select your microphone from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the quality of your recording by selecting from the options in the dropdown menu.
- Click on the record button to start recording your screen with audio.
- To stop recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Recording with Screenshot Toolbar
Screenshot Toolbar is a feature introduced in macOS Mojave that allows you to take screenshots and record your screen with audio. Here’s how to use it:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
- Click on the record button to start recording your screen.
- To record audio, click on the microphone icon and select your microphone from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the quality of your recording by selecting from the options in the dropdown menu.
- Click on the record button to start recording your screen with audio.
- To stop recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Using Third-Party Software: OBS Studio, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow
While built-in tools are convenient, they may not offer the features and flexibility you need for more complex screen recordings. Third-party software can provide more advanced features, such as video editing, chroma keying, and audio mixing. Here are three popular third-party software options for recording your MacBook screen with audio:
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording software that’s popular among content creators. It offers advanced features such as:
- Multi-source recording: Record multiple sources, including your screen, webcam, and microphone.
- Audio mixing: Mix and balance your audio sources in real-time.
- Chroma keying: Remove the background from your webcam feed and replace it with a different image or video.
To use OBS Studio, follow these steps:
- Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Launch OBS Studio and create a new scene by clicking on the “+” button.
- Add your screen as a source by clicking on the “+” button and selecting “Display Capture.”
- Add your microphone as a source by clicking on the “+” button and selecting “Audio Input Capture.”
- Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button.
Camtasia
Camtasia is a paid screen recording software that offers advanced features such as:
- Video editing: Edit your recordings with a built-in video editor.
- Screen drawing: Draw on your screen while recording to highlight important points.
- Audio editing: Edit your audio recordings with a built-in audio editor.
To use Camtasia, follow these steps:
- Download and install Camtasia from the official website.
- Launch Camtasia and create a new project by clicking on the “New Project” button.
- Record your screen by clicking on the “Record” button.
- Add your microphone as a source by clicking on the “Audio” tab and selecting your microphone.
- Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button.
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is a paid screen recording software that offers advanced features such as:
- Video editing: Edit your recordings with a built-in video editor.
- Screen drawing: Draw on your screen while recording to highlight important points.
- Audio editing: Edit your audio recordings with a built-in audio editor.
To use ScreenFlow, follow these steps:
- Download and install ScreenFlow from the official website.
- Launch ScreenFlow and create a new project by clicking on the “New Project” button.
- Record your screen by clicking on the “Record” button.
- Add your microphone as a source by clicking on the “Audio” tab and selecting your microphone.
- Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button.
Using External Devices: Elgato HD60 and AVerMedia Extremecap U3
If you want to record your MacBook screen with high-quality audio and video, you may want to consider using an external device. Here are two popular external devices for recording your MacBook screen with audio:
Elgato HD60
The Elgato HD60 is a popular external capture card that allows you to record your MacBook screen with high-quality video and audio. It offers features such as:
- 1080p recording: Record your screen at 1080p resolution.
- 60fps recording: Record your screen at 60 frames per second.
- Audio mixing: Mix and balance your audio sources in real-time.
To use the Elgato HD60, follow these steps:
- Connect the Elgato HD60 to your MacBook using a USB cable.
- Launch the Elgato Game Capture HD software.
- Record your screen by clicking on the “Record” button.
- Add your microphone as a source by clicking on the “Audio” tab and selecting your microphone.
- Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button.
AVerMedia Extremecap U3
The AVerMedia Extremecap U3 is a popular external capture card that allows you to record your MacBook screen with high-quality video and audio. It offers features such as:
- 4K recording: Record your screen at 4K resolution.
- 60fps recording: Record your screen at 60 frames per second.
- Audio mixing: Mix and balance your audio sources in real-time.
To use the AVerMedia Extremecap U3, follow these steps:
- Connect the AVerMedia Extremecap U3 to your MacBook using a USB cable.
- Launch the AVerMedia RECentral software.
- Record your screen by clicking on the “Record” button.
- Add your microphone as a source by clicking on the “Audio” tab and selecting your microphone.
- Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button.
Conclusion
Recording your MacBook screen with audio is a useful skill that can be applied to various situations, from creating tutorials and presentations to recording gameplay and video calls. Whether you use built-in tools, third-party software, or external devices, there are many options available to suit your needs. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can start recording your MacBook screen with audio and take your content creation to the next level.
What is screen recording and why is it useful on a MacBook?
Screen recording is the process of capturing the content displayed on your MacBook’s screen, often accompanied by audio. This feature is useful for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, recording video calls, or capturing gameplay. With screen recording, you can easily share your experiences, demonstrate software or apps, and convey complex information in a more engaging and interactive way.
Screen recording on a MacBook can also be helpful for professionals, educators, and content creators. For instance, teachers can record video lessons, while software developers can create tutorials to showcase their products. Additionally, gamers can record their gameplay and share it with others, and marketers can create engaging video content for their audiences.
How do I record my screen on a MacBook?
To record your screen on a MacBook, you can use the built-in QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar. With QuickTime Player, you can record your entire screen or a selected portion of it. To do this, open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording, and then select the recording area. You can also use the Screenshot toolbar, which can be accessed by pressing Command + Shift + 5. This toolbar allows you to record your entire screen, a selected window, or a portion of your screen.
Once you’ve selected the recording area, you can start the recording by clicking the Record button. You can also add audio to your screen recording by selecting the microphone option. To stop the recording, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc. Your recorded video will be saved as a .mov file, which can be edited and shared using various video editing software and platforms.
Can I record my screen with audio on a MacBook?
Yes, you can record your screen with audio on a MacBook using the built-in QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar. To record audio, you’ll need to select the microphone option before starting the recording. You can choose to record audio from your MacBook’s built-in microphone, an external microphone, or the audio from your MacBook’s speakers.
When recording audio, make sure to adjust the volume levels to ensure that the audio is clear and audible. You can also use an external microphone to improve the audio quality. Additionally, you can record audio from multiple sources, such as your MacBook’s speakers and an external microphone, to create a more immersive experience.
How do I edit my screen recordings on a MacBook?
You can edit your screen recordings on a MacBook using various video editing software, such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere Pro. These software applications offer a range of editing tools and features, such as trimming, splitting, and merging clips, adding transitions and effects, and adjusting audio levels.
To edit your screen recordings, import the video file into your chosen video editing software and start editing. You can trim unwanted parts, add annotations or text overlays, and adjust the audio levels to enhance the overall quality of the video. You can also add music or sound effects to make the video more engaging.
Can I record a specific window or portion of my screen on a MacBook?
Yes, you can record a specific window or portion of your screen on a MacBook using the Screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player. To record a specific window, select the window option in the Screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player, and then choose the window you want to record. To record a portion of your screen, select the portion option and drag the crosshair to select the area you want to record.
When recording a specific window or portion of your screen, you can also add audio to the recording by selecting the microphone option. This allows you to create focused tutorials or demonstrations that highlight specific features or areas of your screen.
How do I share my screen recordings on a MacBook?
You can share your screen recordings on a MacBook by exporting the video file and uploading it to various video sharing platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook. You can also share the video file via email or messaging apps, or upload it to cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
To share your screen recordings, go to the video editing software you used to edit the video, and select the export option. Choose the desired format and resolution, and then upload the video to your chosen platform. You can also add captions, tags, or descriptions to the video to make it more discoverable and engaging.
Are there any third-party screen recording software available for MacBooks?
Yes, there are several third-party screen recording software available for MacBooks, such as OBS Studio, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow. These software applications offer advanced features and tools, such as chroma keying, audio ducking, and video editing, that can enhance the quality and production value of your screen recordings.
Third-party screen recording software can be useful for professionals and content creators who require more advanced features and customization options. However, for basic screen recording needs, the built-in QuickTime Player and Screenshot toolbar may be sufficient.