Are you looking for ways to record your screen and computer audio on your Mac? Whether you’re a content creator, a software developer, or simply someone who wants to capture a tutorial or a gameplay video, recording your screen and computer audio can be a useful skill to have. In this article, we’ll take you through the different methods of recording your screen and computer audio on a Mac, including using built-in tools, third-party software, and external hardware.
Using Built-in Tools: QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar
MacOS comes with two built-in tools that allow you to record your screen and computer audio: QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar. Here’s how to use them:
Recording Screen and Audio with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a media player that comes pre-installed on Macs. It also has a screen recording feature that allows you to capture your screen and computer audio. Here’s how to use it:
- Open QuickTime Player by searching for it in Spotlight or by navigating to Applications/Utilities/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. Click on the arrow next to the record button to select the microphone you want to use to capture your audio. You can choose from the built-in microphone, an external microphone, or the computer’s audio output.
- Click on the record button to start recording your screen and audio. You can record the entire screen or select a portion of the screen to record.
- When you’re finished recording, click on the stop button. The recording will be saved as a .mov file.
Recording Screen and Audio with Screenshot Toolbar
Screenshot Toolbar is a feature introduced in MacOS Mojave that allows you to take screenshots and record your screen. Here’s how to use it to record your screen and computer audio:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
- Click on the “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion” button to start recording your screen.
- A microphone icon will appear in the menu bar. Click on it to select the microphone you want to use to capture your audio.
- Click on the record button to start recording your screen and audio.
- When you’re finished recording, click on the stop button. The recording will be saved as a .mov file.
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 advanced screen recording tasks. That’s where third-party software comes in. Here are three popular options:
OBS Studio: A Free and Open-Source Option
OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording software that’s popular among content creators and gamers. Here’s how to use it to record your screen and computer audio:
- Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Launch OBS Studio and select “Settings” from the menu bar.
- In the Settings window, select the “Audio” tab and choose the microphone you want to use to capture your audio.
- Select the “Video” tab and choose the screen capture settings you want to use.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to start recording your screen and audio.
Camtasia: A Commercial Option with Advanced Features
Camtasia is a commercial screen recording software that offers advanced features such as video editing, annotations, and quizzes. Here’s how to use it to record your screen and computer audio:
- Download and install Camtasia from the official website.
- Launch Camtasia and select “Record” from the menu bar.
- In the Record window, select the microphone you want to use to capture your audio.
- Select the screen capture settings you want to use.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to start recording your screen and audio.
ScreenFlow: A Commercial Option with Advanced Features
ScreenFlow is a commercial screen recording software that offers advanced features such as video editing, annotations, and quizzes. Here’s how to use it to record your screen and computer audio:
- Download and install ScreenFlow from the official website.
- Launch ScreenFlow and select “Record” from the menu bar.
- In the Record window, select the microphone you want to use to capture your audio.
- Select the screen capture settings you want to use.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to start recording your screen and audio.
Using External Hardware: Elgato HD60 and AVerMedia Extremecap U3
If you want to record your screen and computer audio with high quality and low latency, you may want to consider using external hardware. Here are two popular options:
Elgato HD60: A Popular Option for Gamers
The Elgato HD60 is a popular external capture card that’s designed for gamers. It allows you to record your screen and computer audio with high quality and low latency. Here’s how to use it:
- Connect the Elgato HD60 to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Launch the Elgato Game Capture HD software and select the device you want to record from.
- Select the screen capture settings you want to use.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to start recording your screen and audio.
AVerMedia Extremecap U3: A High-End Option for Professionals
The AVerMedia Extremecap U3 is a high-end external capture card that’s designed for professionals. It allows you to record your screen and computer audio with high quality and low latency. Here’s how to use it:
- Connect the AVerMedia Extremecap U3 to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Launch the AVerMedia RECentral software and select the device you want to record from.
- Select the screen capture settings you want to use.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to start recording your screen and audio.
Conclusion
Recording your screen and computer audio on a Mac can be a useful skill to have, whether you’re a content creator, a software developer, or simply someone who wants to capture a tutorial or a gameplay video. In this article, we’ve taken you through the different methods of recording your screen and computer audio on a Mac, including using built-in tools, third-party software, and external hardware. We hope this guide has been helpful in getting you started with screen recording on your Mac.
What is screen recording and why is it useful on a Mac?
Screen recording is the process of capturing the content displayed on your Mac’s screen, often accompanied by audio from your computer or external sources. This feature is useful for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing video calls and online meetings. By recording your screen, you can easily share information, demonstrate software or techniques, and preserve memories.
Screen recording on a Mac can also be helpful for educational purposes, allowing teachers to create video lessons and students to record online lectures. Additionally, it can be used for marketing and sales, enabling businesses to create product demos and showcase their services. With the built-in screen recording feature on Macs, users can easily capture their screen and audio, making it a valuable tool for both personal and professional use.
How do I record my screen on a Mac?
To record your screen on a Mac, you can use the built-in Screen Recording feature in the QuickTime Player app or the Screenshot toolbar. To access the Screenshot toolbar, press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. This will open a toolbar with various screen capture options, including screen recording. You can then select the area of the screen you want to record, choose the audio source, and start the recording.
Alternatively, you can use the QuickTime Player app to record your screen. To do this, open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording, and select the area of the screen you want to record. You can also choose the audio source and adjust other settings as needed. Once you’re ready, click the Record button to start capturing your screen.
Can I record computer audio on my Mac?
Yes, you can record computer audio on your Mac using the built-in screen recording feature or third-party apps. To record computer audio using the Screenshot toolbar, select the “Options” menu and choose “Built-in Microphone” or “External Microphone” as the audio source. However, if you want to record the audio coming from your computer, such as system sounds or audio from apps, you’ll need to select “None” as the microphone and then choose “Built-in Output” as the audio source.
When using QuickTime Player, you can also record computer audio by selecting “None” as the microphone and then choosing “Built-in Output” as the audio source. Additionally, some third-party screen recording apps, such as OBS Studio or Camtasia, offer more advanced audio recording options, including the ability to capture computer audio and external audio sources simultaneously.
How do I record a specific area of my screen on a Mac?
To record a specific area of your screen on a Mac, you can use the Screenshot toolbar or the QuickTime Player app. When using the Screenshot toolbar, select the “Record Selected Portion” option and then drag the crosshair pointer to select the area of the screen you want to record. You can adjust the size of the selection area by dragging the edges or corners of the rectangle.
When using QuickTime Player, you can select the area of the screen you want to record by dragging the crosshair pointer to select the desired region. You can also adjust the size of the selection area by dragging the edges or corners of the rectangle. Additionally, some third-party screen recording apps offer more advanced region selection options, including the ability to record a specific window or application.
Can I edit my screen recordings on a Mac?
Yes, you can edit your screen recordings on a Mac using various video editing apps, including iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere Pro. These apps offer a range of editing tools and features, such as trimming, splitting, and merging clips, adding transitions and effects, and adjusting audio levels. You can also add text, images, and other media to your screen recordings to enhance their content and visual appeal.
Additionally, some screen recording apps, such as Camtasia and ScreenFlow, offer built-in editing features, allowing you to trim, split, and merge clips, as well as add annotations, transitions, and effects. These apps often provide a more streamlined editing experience, making it easier to refine your screen recordings and prepare them for sharing or distribution.
How do I share my screen recordings on a Mac?
You can share your screen recordings on a Mac by exporting them in various formats, such as MP4, MOV, or GIF, and then uploading them to video sharing platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia. You can also share your screen recordings via email or messaging apps, or by uploading them to cloud storage services, such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
Additionally, some screen recording apps, such as QuickTime Player and Camtasia, offer built-in sharing options, allowing you to export your recordings directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or other platforms. You can also use the Share menu in the Finder to share your screen recordings with others, either by sending them via email or by uploading them to a shared folder or cloud storage service.
Are there any third-party screen recording apps available for Mac?
Yes, there are many third-party screen recording apps available for Mac, offering a range of features and functionalities. Some popular options include OBS Studio, Camtasia, ScreenFlow, and Monosnap. These apps often provide more advanced screen recording options, such as the ability to capture multiple screens, record audio from external sources, and add annotations and effects to your recordings.
Additionally, some third-party apps offer more specialized features, such as the ability to record gameplay, capture video calls, or create interactive tutorials. When choosing a third-party screen recording app, consider your specific needs and requirements, and look for apps that offer the features and functionalities you need to achieve your goals.