Are you a Mac user looking to record your screen with computer audio? Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing video calls, screen recording is an essential tool for many professionals and hobbyists. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods for recording your screen with computer audio on a Mac, including built-in tools and third-party software.
Using QuickTime Player: The Built-in Solution
Mac users have a built-in solution for screen recording with computer audio: QuickTime Player. This free application comes pre-installed on all Macs and allows you to record your screen with ease. Here’s how to use it:
Recording Your Screen with QuickTime Player
To record your screen with QuickTime Player, follow these steps:
- Open QuickTime Player by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications > QuickTime Player.
- 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 do this, click on the arrow next to the record button and select “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion.”
- If you want to record your computer audio, make sure to select the correct audio input. To do this, click on the arrow next to the record button and select “Built-in Microphone” or “Built-in Input” (this will depend on your Mac’s audio settings).
- Once you’ve selected your recording options, click on the record button to start recording your screen.
- To stop recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Limitations of QuickTime Player
While QuickTime Player is a convenient solution for screen recording, it does have some limitations. For example:
- You can only record one audio input at a time (either your computer audio or an external microphone).
- You can’t edit your recordings within QuickTime Player (although you can trim them).
- You can’t add annotations or other visual effects to your recordings.
Using OBS Studio: A Free and Powerful Alternative
If you’re looking for a more advanced screen recording solution, OBS Studio is a free and popular option. OBS Studio is primarily used for live streaming, but it also has a robust screen recording feature that allows you to capture your computer audio.
Setting Up OBS Studio for Screen Recording
To set up OBS Studio for screen recording, follow these steps:
- Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
- Launch OBS Studio and select “Optimize for recording” when prompted.
- In the OBS Studio interface, click on the “+” button in the sources panel and select “Display Capture.”
- Select the display you want to record (if you have multiple monitors) and click “OK.”
- In the audio settings, select the correct audio input (either your computer audio or an external microphone).
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to begin recording your screen.
Advanced Features of OBS Studio
OBS Studio has many advanced features that make it a popular choice for screen recording and live streaming. Some of these features include:
- Multi-track audio recording (allowing you to record multiple audio inputs simultaneously)
- Chroma keying (allowing you to remove the background from your recordings)
- Audio filters (allowing you to enhance or modify your audio recordings)
- Plugin support (allowing you to extend the functionality of OBS Studio with third-party plugins)
Using Camtasia: A Commercial Solution with Advanced Features
If you’re looking for a commercial solution with advanced features, Camtasia is a popular option. Camtasia is a screen recording and video editing software that allows you to capture your computer audio and add annotations, transitions, and other visual effects to your recordings.
Recording Your Screen with Camtasia
To record your screen with Camtasia, follow these steps:
- Download and install Camtasia from the official website.
- Launch Camtasia and select “Record the screen” from the start page.
- Select the recording options (such as the display to record, the audio input, and the recording quality).
- Click on the “Record” button to begin recording your screen.
Advanced Features of Camtasia
Camtasia has many advanced features that make it a popular choice for screen recording and video editing. Some of these features include:
- Multi-track audio recording (allowing you to record multiple audio inputs simultaneously)
- Advanced video editing features (such as transitions, animations, and visual effects)
- Annotation tools (allowing you to add text, arrows, and other annotations to your recordings)
- Green screen support (allowing you to remove the background from your recordings)
Conclusion
Recording your screen with computer audio on a Mac is a straightforward process, whether you’re using the built-in QuickTime Player or a third-party solution like OBS Studio or Camtasia. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create high-quality screen recordings with computer audio that are perfect for tutorials, presentations, and other applications.
What is screen recording on Mac and how does it work?
Screen recording on Mac is a feature that allows users to capture their computer screen and save it as a video file. This feature is built into the Mac operating system and can be accessed through the QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar. To record your screen, you simply need to open the QuickTime Player, select “New Screen Recording” from the File menu, and then choose the area of the screen you want to record.
The screen recording feature on Mac can capture both video and audio, including computer audio, microphone audio, and audio from external devices. This makes it a useful tool for creating tutorials, presentations, and other types of video content. Additionally, the screen recording feature on Mac allows you to customize the recording settings, such as the video quality, frame rate, and audio input.
How do I record computer audio on my Mac?
To record computer audio on your Mac, you need to use a third-party app or software that can capture the audio output from your computer. One popular option is OBS Studio, which is a free and open-source screen recording software that can capture both video and audio from your Mac. Another option is to use a software called Soundflower, which is a free audio routing utility that can capture the audio output from your Mac and redirect it to a recording app.
To record computer audio using OBS Studio, you need to download and install the software, then select the “Audio Output Capture” option as the audio input device. You can then select the area of the screen you want to record and start the recording. To record computer audio using Soundflower, you need to download and install the software, then select the “Soundflower (2ch)” option as the audio input device in your recording app.
What are the different types of audio inputs available on Mac?
On Mac, there are several types of audio inputs available, including the built-in microphone, external microphones, and computer audio. The built-in microphone is a convenient option for recording audio, but it may not provide the best sound quality. External microphones, on the other hand, can provide higher sound quality and are often preferred by professionals.
Computer audio, also known as system audio, refers to the audio output from your Mac, including music, videos, and other sounds. To record computer audio, you need to use a third-party app or software that can capture the audio output from your Mac. Additionally, you can also use a software called Soundflower to capture the audio output from your Mac and redirect it to a recording app.
How do I customize the recording settings on my Mac?
To customize the recording settings on your Mac, you can use the QuickTime Player or a third-party screen recording software. In the QuickTime Player, you can select the “New Screen Recording” option from the File menu, then click on the arrow next to the record button to select the recording settings. You can choose the video quality, frame rate, and audio input device, as well as select the area of the screen you want to record.
In a third-party screen recording software, such as OBS Studio, you can customize the recording settings by selecting the “Settings” option from the menu. You can choose the video quality, frame rate, and audio input device, as well as select the area of the screen you want to record. Additionally, you can also customize the recording settings, such as the file format, resolution, and bitrate.
Can I record multiple audio inputs at the same time on my Mac?
Yes, you can record multiple audio inputs at the same time on your Mac using a third-party screen recording software. For example, you can use OBS Studio to record both the computer audio and the microphone audio at the same time. To do this, you need to select the “Audio Mixer” option in the OBS Studio settings, then add the computer audio and microphone audio as separate audio inputs.
You can then adjust the levels and settings for each audio input separately, and record both audio inputs simultaneously. Additionally, you can also use a software called Soundflower to capture the audio output from your Mac and redirect it to a recording app, while also recording the microphone audio.
How do I edit my screen recordings on Mac?
To edit your screen recordings on Mac, you can use a video editing software, such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro. iMovie is a free video editing software that comes pre-installed on Mac, and it allows you to trim, split, and merge clips, as well as add transitions and effects. Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing software that offers more advanced features, such as multi-camera editing and color grading.
To edit your screen recordings in iMovie, you can import the video file into the software, then select the “Edit” option from the menu. You can then trim, split, and merge clips, as well as add transitions and effects. To edit your screen recordings in Adobe Premiere Pro, you can import the video file into the software, then select the “Edit” option from the menu. You can then trim, split, and merge clips, as well as add transitions and effects.
How do I share my screen recordings on Mac?
To share your screen recordings on Mac, you can export the video file from the screen recording software, then upload it to a video sharing platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo. You can also share the video file directly from the screen recording software, such as OBS Studio, which allows you to upload the video file to YouTube or other video sharing platforms.
Alternatively, you can also share the video file via email or messaging apps, such as Mail or Messages. To do this, you can select the video file, then right-click on it and select the “Share” option. You can then choose the sharing method, such as email or messaging apps, and enter the recipient’s email address or phone number.