Are you looking for ways to record your screen with audio on your Mac? Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing video calls, screen recording is an essential tool for many users. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods for screen recording with audio on Mac, including built-in tools and third-party software.
Using QuickTime Player for Screen Recording with 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 audio. Here’s how to use it:
Recording Your Screen with QuickTime Player
To start recording your screen with QuickTime Player, follow these steps:
- Open QuickTime Player 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 recording your screen.
- Before you start recording, you can choose to record your entire screen or a selected portion of it. To record a selected portion, click and drag the crosshair pointer to select the area you want to record.
- Once you’ve selected the area you want to record, click on the “Start Recording” button to begin the recording process.
- To stop recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Recording Audio with QuickTime Player
By default, QuickTime Player records audio from your Mac’s built-in microphone. However, you can also record audio from other sources, such as an external microphone or a USB headset. To do this, follow these steps:
- Before you start recording, go to “QuickTime Player” in the top menu bar and select “Preferences.”
- In the Preferences window, click on the “Recording” tab.
- Under “Audio,” select the audio source you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Using OBS Studio for Screen Recording with Audio
OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording software that’s popular among gamers and content creators. It offers advanced features such as audio mixing, chroma keying, and support for multiple video sources. Here’s how to use OBS Studio for screen recording with audio:
Setting Up OBS Studio for Screen Recording
To start using OBS Studio for screen recording, follow these steps:
- Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Launch OBS Studio and click on “Settings” in the bottom right corner of the window.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Output” tab.
- Under “Recording,” select the file format and quality you want to use for your recordings.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Recording Your Screen with OBS Studio
To start recording your screen with OBS Studio, follow these steps:
- In the OBS Studio window, click on the “+” button under “Sources” to add a new source.
- Select “Display Capture” from the list of available sources.
- Choose the display you want to record and click “OK.”
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to begin the recording process.
- To stop recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button.
Recording Audio with OBS Studio
OBS Studio allows you to record audio from multiple sources, including your Mac’s built-in microphone, an external microphone, or a USB headset. To select the audio source, follow these steps:
- In the OBS Studio window, click on the “Settings” button in the bottom right corner.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab.
- Under “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device,” select the audio source you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Using ScreenFlow for Screen Recording with Audio
ScreenFlow is a popular screen recording software for Mac that offers advanced features such as video editing, audio editing, and support for multiple video sources. Here’s how to use ScreenFlow for screen recording with audio:
Setting Up ScreenFlow for Screen Recording
To start using ScreenFlow for screen recording, follow these steps:
- Download and install ScreenFlow from the official website.
- Launch ScreenFlow and click on “New Recording” in the top menu bar.
- Select the type of recording you want to make, such as “Screen Recording” or “Audio Recording.”
- Choose the video and audio settings you want to use for your recording.
- Click “OK” to start the recording process.
Recording Your Screen with ScreenFlow
To start recording your screen with ScreenFlow, follow these steps:
- In the ScreenFlow window, click on the “Record” button to start the recording process.
- Choose the area of the screen you want to record by clicking and dragging the crosshair pointer.
- Once you’ve selected the area you want to record, click on the “Start Recording” button.
- To stop recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button.
Recording Audio with ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow allows you to record audio from multiple sources, including your Mac’s built-in microphone, an external microphone, or a USB headset. To select the audio source, follow these steps:
- In the ScreenFlow window, click on the “Preferences” button in the top menu bar.
- In the Preferences window, click on the “Audio” tab.
- Under “Audio Input,” select the audio source you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Tips and Tricks for Screen Recording with Audio on Mac
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of screen recording with audio on Mac:
Using an External Microphone
Using an external microphone can improve the quality of your audio recordings. Consider investing in a good-quality external microphone, such as a USB microphone or a lavalier microphone.
Reducing Background Noise
Background noise can be a problem when recording audio. To reduce background noise, try using a noise-reducing app or plugin, such as Noise Reduction or Krisp.
Editing Your Recordings
Once you’ve recorded your screen and audio, you may want to edit your recordings to remove mistakes or add effects. Consider using a video editing app, such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro, to edit your recordings.
Conclusion
Screen recording with audio is a powerful tool for creating tutorials, recording gameplay, and capturing video calls. With the right software and techniques, you can create high-quality recordings that are engaging and informative. Whether you’re using QuickTime Player, OBS Studio, or ScreenFlow, this guide has shown you how to screen record with audio on Mac.
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.