How to Screen Record on Mac with Audio [4 Ways in 2023]
- Karen Nelson
- March 30, 2023
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Recording your Mac screen isn’t difficult, but it can be confusing for first-time users. In fact, Mac computers come with built-in screen recorders to record the Mac screen with audio. Good though it is, you may still face problems if you find that the default tools limit the system audio recording and only allow you to record the microphone sound, forcing you to turn to a free third-party screen recorder on Mac for help.
No matter what your confusion is about screen recording on Mac with audio, this article will be able to solve your problem by showing you 4 ways to record Mac screen easily.
Screen Record on Mac with Audio via Screenshot Toolbar (masOS Mojave or above)
Available to record: Mac screen activities with external audio (unavailable for internal audio recording)
The most hassle-free way to screen record Mac with sound is by using the built-in recording feature – Screenshot Toolbar. This tool is pre-installed on your computer, so to use it, you don’t need to install extra software on you Mac and can simply launch it by using hotkeys to process the recording tasks.
Screenshot Toolbar is an ideal pick if you are required to record Mac screen with external audio like the microphone sound. But it’s a pity that this tool is not available to capture system sound.
Now, let’s simply go through the steps below and grasp how to control Screenshot Toolbar to record Mac screen with sound:
STEP 1. Open the screenshot toolbar by pressing Command + Shift + 5.
STEP 2. Set the recording area:
• If you want to record entire screen of your Mac, just click on “Record Entire Screen” icon.
• If you want to record a portion of the Mac screen, choose “Record Selected Portion” option. Then you can select the area you want to record.
STEP 3. To record audio on Mac simultaneously, hit “Options” > “Microphone” and select the detected external sound capturing device to record sound from.
STEP 4. Click on “Record” to start the recording.
STEP 5. To stop recording, click the “Stop Recording” icon in the menu bar. Or press Command-Control-Esc (Escape).
After you stop recording, a thumbnail of the video appears briefly in the lower-right corner of your screen. You can click the thumbnail to trim, save and share this Mac screen recording video with sound as you desire.
Screen Record on Mac with Sound via QuickTime
Available to record: Mac screen with the microphone sound
Another easy way to screen record on Mac with sound is by using QuickTime. Although many of you may know about it for its media streaming feature, actually, the software also hides a nice and free recording tool to help you screen record on Mac with audio from both internal or external microphone.
QuickTime enables you to adjust the volumes for capturing in preferences. It’s definitely the universal way when you want to record your Mac computer screen with audio conveniently, even though it only limits the audio sources as “Worked in Microphone” or “None”.
Now, turn to the steps below and grasp the way to screen record on Mac with audio using QuickTime:
STEP 1. Launch QuickTime on your Mac when you get a demand to record screen with sound.
STEP 2. Go to “File” > “New Screen Recording” to start a new recording project.
STEP 3. You are required to enable the audio recording by hitting the drop-down arrow button, then select “Internal Microphone”.
STEP 4. Once the settings are done, process the Mac screen recording right away by tapping the red record icon.
When the recording is over, click the stop icon and the recorded video with sound will be automatically saved on Mac for later watching back.
Screen Record on Mac with Audio Using VideoSolo Screen Recorder
Available to record: Mac with both external and internal audio simultaneously
After going through both built-in features to screen record Mac with audio (Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime), you will discover their limitations in capturing both internal and external sounds. Especially when you desire to record Mac with both system sounds and microphone, they fail to provide such function to you.
Hence, if you are still considering how to screen record on Mac with audio in professional way without any sound capturing limitation, VideoSolo Screen Recorder can perfectly suit your needs. The software is well compatible with both internal and external audio capturing, meanwhile, offering multiple recording modes for you to select based on your real requirements.
To capture your Mac with audio, this best screen recording software for Mac is also equipped with noise cancellation and voice enhancement features, ensuring better audio quality outputs to you. Overall, VideoSolo Screen Recorder is able to give you professional and high-quality recording outputs if you have higher demands in processing screen record on Mac with audio.
Why Select VideoSolo Screen Recorder?
- Flexible recording modes and customized settings to record video on Mac with high quality;
- Available to maintain original HD quality in capturing Windows and Mac screens and output in mainstream formats;
- All types of on-screen activities supported recording;
- Advanced features such as auto-stop, scheduled, locked window recording, etc. available to boost easier recording process;
- Real-time editing features provided;
- Smart features are available to create video tutorials without hassle.
Next, also go through this brief guide and grasp how to screen record Mac with audio using VideoSolo Screen Recorder:
Step 1. Install and Launch VideoSolo Screen Recorder
Click the Download button above and get the Mac version of VideoSolo Screen Recorder. The free version has a recording time length limited to 3 minutes, but has no restriction to major features.
Step 2. Customize Recording Area
Launch this Screen Recorder for Mac, and choose “Video Recorder” from the main interface. Then you can define the region that you want to capture, like recording a full screen or a custom region in requirements.
Step 3. Adjust Audio Settings to Record Mac Screen
In “Video Recorder”, you are able to enable both system sound or microphone on if you need to capture Mac screen with sound. It is available for you to adjust the volume before processing the recording.
Step 4. Set Preferences Such as Hotkeys
You are capable to set hotkeys and control the recording without a floating panel. After setting hotkeys, you can also click “Hide floating panel when recording”. Remember to mark down the hotkeys you set.
Step 5. Start Screen Recording with Sound on Mac
When you are ready to record your Mac screen, click the “REC” button. If you want to highlight something in the video, you are free to use the drawing panel to add real-time annotations.
Step 6. Save the Recording
After you finished recording your Mac screen, you can click “REC” button again to stop capturing or use the hotkeys. Before you save the recording, you can preview it and clip out the part you want to reserve.
Screen Record on Mac with Audio Using OBS
Available to record: Mac screen with micriphone and desktop audio
VideoSolo Screen Recorder is an all-around and easy-to-grasp Mac screen recorder you can try, but if you want to use a totally free third-party tool with more complicated and detailed settings to screen record on Mac with audio, OBS may be a good choice.
As an open-source tool, OBS allows you to record screen on Mac with audio in great quality, and is equipped with multiple recording settings to define the outputs as you desire without paying a penny. Moreover, it won’t force you to add its watermark, thus you can use it to make professional recorded files with sound on Mac.
However, OBS would be comparatively complicated to operate with many professional functions hard to understand in a short while. But still, you can follow the steps below to process Mac screen recording with sound for free:
Step 1. Open OBS on your Mac, and turn to its “Studio Mode” to separate the screen into two panes.
Step 2. Now, click the “Sources” option and select “Display Capture” to “Create New” recording. Then you can select the window that you want to record.
Step 3. To allow OBS to record the audio, don’t forget to set the “Audio Input Capture” and “Audio Output Capture” section. Just as their icons show, the two options can be adjusted to record both your microphone sound and internal audio.
Step 4. When you finish all settings, click “Start Recording” to begin record Mac screen with audio. After the recording is ended, press “Stop Recording” and OBS will let you name the recording file and also select the format to save it. You can go to the output folder to check your video.
Comparison Table of 4 Ways to Screen Record on Mac with Audio
After going through the 4 ways to screen record on Mac with audio, we’ve drawn a simple comparison on them to help you sort out the best option. Read the following chart and select your ideal pick now:
| System Sound Record | Record Screen with Microphone | Record Screen with Webcam | Add Real-Time Annotations | Editing Tools |
Screenshot Toolbar | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
QuickTime | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
VideoSolo | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
OBS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Conclusion
Till now, you may have an idea which one is suitable for you. The two Mac built-in tools are highly recommended when you want to screen record and have no need for internal audio included. But for situations when you need to capture the system sound, VideoSolo Screen Recorder can be the best pick. What’s your idea?
