In today’s digital age, screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, including creating tutorials, demonstrating software, and recording online meetings. If you’re a Mac user, you’re in luck because your device comes with a built-in screen recording feature that allows you to capture both audio and video. In this article, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to take a screen recording with audio on Mac.
Understanding the Screen Recording Feature on Mac
Before we dive into the process, it’s essential to understand the screen recording feature on Mac. The feature is part of the QuickTime Player app, which comes pre-installed on all Mac devices. The app allows you to record your screen, audio, and even your webcam. You can also use the feature to record a specific part of your screen or the entire screen.
System Requirements
To use the screen recording feature on Mac, you’ll need to ensure that your device meets the following system requirements:
- macOS High Sierra or later
- QuickTime Player app (comes pre-installed on all Mac devices)
- A Mac with a built-in microphone (or an external microphone)
How to Take a Screen Recording with Audio on Mac
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to the step-by-step guide on how to take a screen recording with audio on Mac.
Method 1: Using QuickTime Player
This is the most common method of screen recording on Mac. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the QuickTime Player app 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 pop up with a red record button. Click on the arrow next to the record button to select your microphone. You can choose from the built-in microphone or an external microphone.
- To record your entire screen, click on the record button. To record a specific part of your screen, drag the crosshair pointer to select the area you want to record.
- Click on the record button to start the recording. You’ll see a countdown timer before the recording starts.
- To stop the recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
- Your screen recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop.
Method 2: Using the Screenshot Toolbar
macOS Mojave and later versions come with a screenshot toolbar that allows you to take screenshots and record your screen. Here’s how to use it:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the screenshot toolbar.
- Click on the record button (it looks like a circle with a white center).
- Select the microphone you want to use from the dropdown menu.
- To record your entire screen, click on the record button. To record a specific part of your screen, drag the crosshair pointer to select the area you want to record.
- Click on the record button to start the recording. You’ll see a countdown timer before the recording starts.
- To stop the recording, click on the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
- Your screen recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop.
Adding Audio to Your Screen Recording
If you want to add audio to your screen recording, you can do so using the built-in microphone on your Mac or an external microphone. Here’s how to do it:
Using the Built-in Microphone
- Make sure your Mac’s built-in microphone is selected as the input device. You can do this by clicking on the arrow next to the record button in QuickTime Player or the screenshot toolbar.
- Start your screen recording as usual.
- Speak into the microphone to add audio to your screen recording.
Using an External Microphone
- Connect your external microphone to your Mac.
- Select the external microphone as the input device. You can do this by clicking on the arrow next to the record button in QuickTime Player or the screenshot toolbar.
- Start your screen recording as usual.
- Speak into the external microphone to add audio to your screen recording.
Editing Your Screen Recording
Once you’ve recorded your screen, you may want to edit it to add captions, trim the video, or add music. You can use the built-in video editing app on Mac, iMovie, to edit your screen recording.
Importing Your Screen Recording into iMovie
- Open iMovie on your Mac.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “Import Media.”
- Select the screen recording you want to edit and click “Import.”
Editing Your Screen Recording in iMovie
- Drag and drop your screen recording into the timeline.
- Use the editing tools to trim the video, add captions, or add music.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “Export” to save your edited screen recording.
Tips and Tricks for Screen Recording on Mac
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of screen recording on Mac:
- Use a high-quality microphone to ensure clear audio.
- Make sure your Mac is connected to a power source to avoid running out of battery during the recording.
- Use a tripod to keep your Mac stable and avoid shaky footage.
- Record in a quiet room to minimize background noise.
- Use the screenshot toolbar to quickly take screenshots and record your screen.
Conclusion
Screen recording on Mac is a powerful tool that can be used for various purposes. With the built-in QuickTime Player app and screenshot toolbar, you can easily record your screen and add audio to it. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create high-quality screen recordings with audio on your Mac. Whether you’re creating tutorials, demonstrating software, or recording online meetings, screen recording on Mac is an essential tool to have in your toolkit.
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 useful for creating tutorials, demonstrations, and presentations. The screen recording feature on a Mac uses the built-in QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar to capture the screen activity.
To use the screen recording feature, users need to have a Mac with macOS High Sierra or later. They also need to have a microphone connected to their Mac to capture audio. The screen recording feature can capture the entire screen or a selected portion of the screen. Users can also choose to capture the audio from the microphone, the system audio, or both.
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 options to capture a screenshot or record your screen. To use the QuickTime Player, open the QuickTime Player app and select “File” > “New Screen Recording”.
Once you have opened the Screenshot toolbar or the QuickTime Player, you can choose to record the entire screen or a selected portion of the screen. You can also choose to capture the audio from the microphone, the system audio, or both. To start the recording, click on the “Record” button. The recording will start immediately, and you can stop it by clicking on the “Stop” button.
Can I record audio from my Mac’s microphone and system audio at the same time?
Yes, you can record audio from your Mac’s microphone and system audio at the same time. To do this, you need to use the QuickTime Player. Open the QuickTime Player app and select “File” > “New Screen Recording”. In the screen recording window, click on the arrow next to the record button and select “Microphone” and “System Audio” as the audio sources.
When you record audio from both the microphone and system audio, the audio will be mixed together in the final video file. This means that you will hear both the audio from the microphone and the system audio in the video. You can adjust the volume levels of the microphone and system audio in the QuickTime Player preferences.
How do I save my screen recording as a video file?
To save your screen recording as a video file, you can use the QuickTime Player or the Screenshot toolbar. If you used the QuickTime Player to record your screen, you can save the video file by selecting “File” > “Save”. If you used the Screenshot toolbar, you can save the video file by clicking on the “Done” button in the Screenshot toolbar.
When you save your screen recording as a video file, you can choose the file format, resolution, and quality of the video. The QuickTime Player supports several file formats, including MOV, MP4, and AVI. You can also choose to save the video file to a specific location on your Mac, such as the Desktop or Documents folder.
Can I edit my screen recording in iMovie or Final Cut Pro?
Yes, you can edit your screen recording in iMovie or Final Cut Pro. Both iMovie and Final Cut Pro are video editing apps that come with your Mac. To edit your screen recording in iMovie or Final Cut Pro, you need to import the video file into the app.
Once you have imported the video file, you can edit the video by trimming, splitting, or merging clips. You can also add transitions, effects, and titles to the video. iMovie and Final Cut Pro also support audio editing, so you can adjust the volume levels, add music, or record voiceovers.
How do I share my screen recording with others?
To share your screen recording with others, you can use several methods. You can share the video file via email, upload it to YouTube or Vimeo, or share it on social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter. You can also share the video file with others by sending them a link to the video file.
If you want to share your screen recording with others in real-time, you can use screen sharing apps like Zoom or Skype. These apps allow you to share your screen with others in real-time, so they can watch your screen recording as you record it.
Are there any third-party screen recording apps available for Mac?
Yes, there are several third-party screen recording apps available for Mac. Some popular third-party screen recording apps include OBS Studio, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow. These apps offer advanced features like video editing, audio editing, and screen sharing.
Third-party screen recording apps may offer more features and flexibility than the built-in screen recording feature on your Mac. However, they may also require a subscription or a one-time purchase fee. You can try out several third-party screen recording apps to see which one works best for your needs.