How to Record Screen with System Audio on Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for ways to record your screen with system audio on your Mac? Whether you’re a content creator, a gamer, or a business professional, screen recording is an essential tool for creating tutorials, demos, and presentations. In this article, we’ll show you how to record your screen with system audio on Mac using built-in tools and third-party software.

Using QuickTime Player to Record Screen with System Audio

QuickTime Player is a free media player that comes pre-installed on Macs. It also has a screen recording feature that allows you to capture your screen with system audio. Here’s how to use it:

Recording Your Screen with QuickTime Player

To record your screen with QuickTime Player, follow these steps:

  1. Open QuickTime Player on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or use Spotlight to search for it.
  2. Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “New Screen Recording” from the drop-down menu.
  3. A screen recording window will appear. Click on the arrow next to the record button and select “Built-in Microphone” as the audio input.
  4. Choose the quality of your recording by selecting from the options provided. You can choose from “High,” “Medium,” or “Low” quality.
  5. Click on the record button to start recording your screen. You can record your entire screen or select a portion of it by dragging the crosshairs.
  6. To stop recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.

Limitations of Using QuickTime Player

While QuickTime Player is a convenient tool for recording your screen, it has some limitations. For example, it doesn’t allow you to edit your recordings or add annotations. Additionally, the video quality may not be as high as you’d like, especially if you’re recording a large screen.

Using OBS Studio to Record Screen with System Audio

OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording software that’s popular among gamers and content creators. It allows you to record your screen with system audio and also offers advanced features like video editing and live streaming.

Setting Up OBS Studio for Screen Recording

To set up OBS Studio for screen recording, follow these steps:

  1. Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
  2. Launch OBS Studio and click on “Settings” in the bottom right corner of the screen.
  3. In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab and select “Core Audio” as the audio input.
  4. Choose the audio device you want to use, such as the built-in microphone or an external audio interface.
  5. Click on the “Video” tab and select the video capture device you want to use, such as the built-in screen capture or an external camera.
  6. Set the video quality and frame rate according to your needs.

Recording Your Screen with OBS Studio

To record your screen with OBS Studio, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Start Recording” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
  2. Select the screen or window you want to record and click on the “OK” button.
  3. OBS Studio will start recording your screen. You can pause or stop the recording at any time by clicking on the “Pause” or “Stop” button.

Using Camtasia to Record Screen with System Audio

Camtasia is a popular screen recording software that’s designed for creating professional-looking videos. It allows you to record your screen with system audio and also offers advanced features like video editing and annotation.

Setting Up Camtasia for Screen Recording

To set up Camtasia for screen recording, follow these steps:

  1. Download and install Camtasia from the official website.
  2. Launch Camtasia and click on the “Record” button in the top menu bar.
  3. Select the screen or window you want to record and click on the “OK” button.
  4. Choose the audio input you want to use, such as the built-in microphone or an external audio interface.
  5. Set the video quality and frame rate according to your needs.

Recording Your Screen with Camtasia

To record your screen with Camtasia, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Start Recording” button in the top menu bar.
  2. Camtasia will start recording your screen. You can pause or stop the recording at any time by clicking on the “Pause” or “Stop” button.

Tips for Recording Your Screen with System Audio

Here are some tips for recording your screen with system audio:

Use a Good Microphone

Using a good microphone can make a big difference in the quality of your recording. Consider investing in an external microphone, such as a USB microphone or a lavalier microphone.

Choose the Right Audio Input

Make sure to choose the right audio input for your recording. If you’re using a built-in microphone, select “Built-in Microphone” as the audio input. If you’re using an external microphone, select the corresponding audio input.

Set the Right Video Quality

Set the video quality according to your needs. If you’re recording a tutorial or a demo, you may want to choose a higher video quality. If you’re recording a game or a video, you may want to choose a lower video quality to reduce file size.

Use a Pop Filter

Using a pop filter can help reduce plosive sounds, such as “p” and “t,” and improve the overall quality of your recording.

Conclusion

Recording your screen with system audio on Mac is easy and convenient. You can use built-in tools like QuickTime Player or third-party software like OBS Studio and Camtasia. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can create high-quality screen recordings that are perfect for tutorials, demos, and presentations.

What are the system requirements to record screen with system audio on Mac?

To record screen with system audio on Mac, you need to have a Mac computer with macOS High Sierra or later versions. Additionally, you need to have the QuickTime Player application installed on your Mac, which usually comes pre-installed with the operating system. If you don’t have it, you can download it from the Mac App Store.

It’s also important to note that if you want to record system audio, you need to have a third-party screen recording software that supports this feature, such as OBS Studio, Camtasia, or ScreenFlow. These software applications can be downloaded from their respective websites and installed on your Mac.

How do I record screen with system audio using QuickTime Player?

To record screen with system audio using QuickTime Player, you need to have a third-party plugin installed, such as Soundflower or BlackHole. These plugins allow you to route the system audio to QuickTime Player, enabling you to record both the screen and system audio simultaneously.

Once you have the plugin installed, open QuickTime Player and select “New Screen Recording” from the “File” menu. Then, select the plugin as the audio input device and choose the screen recording settings as desired. Click the “Record” button to start the screen recording, and QuickTime Player will capture both the screen and system audio.

What are some third-party screen recording software that support system audio recording on Mac?

There are several third-party screen recording software that support system audio recording on Mac, including OBS Studio, Camtasia, ScreenFlow, and Monosnap. These software applications offer advanced features such as video editing, annotation, and sharing options, making them popular choices among Mac users.

OBS Studio is a free and open-source software that is widely used for screen recording and live streaming. Camtasia is a commercial software that offers advanced video editing features, while ScreenFlow is a popular choice among Mac users for its ease of use and high-quality video output. Monosnap is another popular screen recording software that offers a range of features, including video editing and sharing options.

How do I record system audio using OBS Studio on Mac?

To record system audio using OBS Studio on Mac, you need to select the correct audio input device in the OBS Studio settings. To do this, open OBS Studio and go to the “Settings” menu. Then, select the “Audio” tab and choose the “Core Audio” device as the audio input.

Next, select the “System Audio” option as the audio source, and adjust the audio settings as desired. You can also add a microphone as an additional audio source if needed. Once you have set up the audio settings, you can start the screen recording by clicking the “Start Recording” button in OBS Studio.

Can I record screen with system audio using the built-in Screen Recording feature on Mac?

Yes, you can record screen with system audio using the built-in Screen Recording feature on Mac, but only if you are running macOS Mojave or later versions. To do this, press the Command + Shift + 5 keys simultaneously to open the Screen Recording toolbar.

Then, select the “Options” menu and choose the “Built-in Microphone” or “External Microphone” option as the audio input device. If you want to record system audio, select the “Built-in Output” option as the audio source. You can then start the screen recording by clicking the “Record” button.

How do I edit my screen recording with system audio on Mac?

To edit your screen recording with system audio on Mac, you can use a video editing software such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere Pro. These software applications offer a range of features, including trimming, splitting, and merging clips, as well as adding transitions and effects.

You can also use the screen recording software itself to edit your recording. For example, OBS Studio has a built-in video editor that allows you to trim and split clips, while Camtasia offers advanced video editing features, including annotation and sharing options.

How do I share my screen recording with system audio on Mac?

To share your screen recording with system audio on Mac, you can use a range of options, including uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or other video sharing platforms. You can also share your recording via email or messaging apps, or export it to a file format such as MP4 or MOV.

Many screen recording software applications, including OBS Studio and Camtasia, offer built-in sharing options that allow you to upload your recording directly to popular video sharing platforms. You can also use the “Share” menu in QuickTime Player to export your recording to a file format or upload it to a video sharing platform.

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