Screen recording on your Mac is a valuable skill, whether you're creating tutorials, capturing gameplay, or recording online meetings. But what if you need to ensure your audio—the system volume—is included? This guide provides easy-to-follow steps to screen record on your Mac with audio, ensuring crystal-clear recordings every time.
Understanding Mac Screen Recording Capabilities
Before diving into the methods, it's helpful to know what your Mac offers. Built-in tools provide efficient ways to capture your screen, and understanding their limitations helps you choose the best approach. We'll cover both the QuickTime Player method and the built-in Screenshot tool.
QuickTime Player: A Versatile Choice
QuickTime Player, a pre-installed application on all Macs, is a surprisingly powerful tool for screen recording. Its simplicity makes it ideal for quick recordings, while its features are sufficient for many users' needs. Crucially, it allows for audio recording alongside your screen capture.
Screenshot Utility: Quick Captures for Smaller Tasks
While primarily known for capturing images, macOS's Screenshot utility also offers screen recording capabilities. It's great for short, quick recordings but might lack some of the advanced options offered by QuickTime Player. However, for simple recordings that include audio from your computer’s internal microphone, it is a quick and easy option.
Method 1: Screen Recording with Audio Using QuickTime Player
This is generally the preferred method for its ease of use and comprehensive features.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Open QuickTime Player: Locate QuickTime Player in your Applications folder or use Spotlight search (Cmd + Space).
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Start a New Recording: In the QuickTime Player menu bar, go to "File" and select "New Movie Recording."
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Select Microphone Input: Click the small arrow next to the record button. This will open a dropdown menu allowing you to select your microphone. Ensure the correct microphone is selected to capture the desired audio (e.g., internal microphone or a connected headset).
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Begin Recording: Click the record button to start capturing your screen.
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Stop Recording: Once finished, click the stop button in the QuickTime Player menu bar.
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Save Your Recording: Go to "File" and select "Save" to save your screen recording as a movie file (usually .mov). Choose a location and filename to store the file.
Pro Tip: For more control, you can choose to record a specific portion of your screen by selecting the "Screen" option in the dropdown menu rather than the default "Camera" recording. You can then drag the rectangular box to select the area to record.
Method 2: Using Screenshot Utility for Quick Audio Screen Recordings
This method is faster for short recordings but has fewer advanced options.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Open Screenshot Utility: Press Shift + Command + 5.
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Select Screen Recording: Click the button with the circle and square icon in the utility window.
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Select Options: To include the audio from your microphone, click the options icon at the right side of the screen recording button to open a small window and make sure "Microphone" is selected.
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Start & Stop Recording: Click the recording option and begin recording. Click the stop button once you are done. The recording will be saved to your desktop.
Troubleshooting Tips
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No Sound: Double-check your microphone settings in System Preferences (Sound). Ensure your selected microphone is working correctly. Also make sure the correct input source is selected within the screen recording application you are using.
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Poor Audio Quality: Experiment with different microphones. Background noise can impact audio quality, so try to record in a quiet environment.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Method for Your Needs
Both QuickTime Player and the Screenshot utility provide effective ways to screen record on your Mac with audio. QuickTime Player offers more control and versatility, making it suitable for longer and more complex recordings. The Screenshot utility is a quicker solution for shorter captures. By following these steps, you can easily create high-quality screen recordings that include audio, perfect for tutorials, presentations, and more. Remember to experiment with both methods to find which best suits your workflow and recording needs.
