In today’s digital age, screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, including creating tutorials, recording gameplay, and capturing video calls. If you’re a Mac user, you’re in luck because recording screen audio and video on Mac is relatively straightforward. In this article, we’ll delve into the different methods of screen recording on Mac, including built-in tools and third-party software.
Using Built-in Tools: QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar
Mac comes with two built-in tools that allow you to record your screen: QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar. These tools are free, easy to use, and don’t require any additional software downloads.
Recording Screen Video with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a multimedia framework developed by Apple. It’s a versatile tool that allows you to record, edit, and play back video and audio files. To record your screen using 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.”
- A window will appear with recording options. You can choose to record the entire screen or a selected portion of it. You can also choose to show the mouse clicks in the recording.
- Click on the “Record” button to start the recording. You can stop the recording by clicking on the “Stop” button in the menu bar.
- Once you’ve stopped the recording, QuickTime Player will automatically open the recorded video. You can then trim, edit, or export the video as needed.
Recording Screen Video with Screenshot Toolbar
The Screenshot Toolbar is a newer feature introduced in macOS Mojave. It provides a more streamlined way of taking screenshots and recording screens. To record your screen using the Screenshot Toolbar, follow these steps:
- Press the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
- The toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen. Click on the “Record Selected Portion” or “Record Entire Screen” button to start the recording.
- You can then select the area of the screen you want to record or record the entire screen.
- Click on the “Record” button to start the recording. You can stop the recording by clicking on the “Stop” button in the menu bar.
- Once you’ve stopped the recording, the video will be saved to your desktop.
Using Third-Party Software: OBS Studio and Camtasia
While built-in tools are convenient, they may not offer the advanced features you need for professional screen recording. In this case, you may want to consider using third-party software like OBS Studio or Camtasia.
OBS Studio: A Free and Open-Source Screen Recorder
OBS Studio is a popular, free, and open-source screen recorder that’s widely used by gamers and content creators. It offers advanced features like chroma keying, audio mixing, and support for multiple video sources.
To record your screen using OBS Studio, follow these steps:
- Download and install OBS Studio on your Mac.
- Launch OBS Studio and create a new scene by clicking on the “+” button in the bottom left corner.
- Select “Display Capture” as the source type and choose the display you want to record.
- Configure the recording settings as needed, such as resolution, frame rate, and audio input.
- Click on the “Start Recording” button to begin the recording.
Camtasia: A Professional Screen Recorder with Advanced Features
Camtasia is a professional screen recorder developed by TechSmith. It offers advanced features like video editing, screen drawing, and support for multiple video sources.
To record your screen using Camtasia, follow these steps:
- Download and install Camtasia on your Mac.
- Launch Camtasia and create a new project by clicking on the “File” menu and selecting “New Project.”
- Select the screen recording option and choose the display you want to record.
- Configure the recording settings as needed, such as resolution, frame rate, and audio input.
- Click on the “Record” button to begin the recording.
Recording Screen Audio on Mac
Recording screen audio on Mac is a bit more complex than recording video. This is because Mac’s built-in tools don’t allow you to record system audio directly. However, there are workarounds and third-party software that can help you achieve this.
Using Soundflower: A Free Audio Routing Tool
Soundflower is a free, open-source audio routing tool that allows you to redirect system audio to a recording device. To use Soundflower, follow these steps:
- Download and install Soundflower on your Mac.
- Launch Soundflower and select the “2ch” or “64ch” option, depending on your recording needs.
- Open QuickTime Player or your preferred screen recording software.
- Select Soundflower as the audio input device.
- Start the recording and Soundflower will redirect the system audio to the recording device.
Using BlackHole: A Virtual Audio Device
BlackHole is a virtual audio device that allows you to redirect system audio to a recording device. To use BlackHole, follow these steps:
- Download and install BlackHole on your Mac.
- Launch BlackHole and select the “16ch” option.
- Open QuickTime Player or your preferred screen recording software.
- Select BlackHole as the audio input device.
- Start the recording and BlackHole will redirect the system audio to the recording device.
Conclusion
Recording screen audio and video on Mac is a relatively straightforward process, thanks to built-in tools like QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar. However, if you need advanced features, third-party software like OBS Studio and Camtasia can provide more options. Additionally, using audio routing tools like Soundflower or BlackHole can help you record system audio. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create high-quality screen recordings with ease.
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.