How can I learn how to record system audio on my Mac?
How can I learn how to record system audio on my Mac?
I’ve been trying to figure out how to record system audio on my Mac, but I’m running into some challenges. Every time I look up a solution, I either come across outdated methods or software that doesn’t seem to work the way I need it to. I understand there are built-in tools and third-party applications available, but I’m not sure which one is the best for my needs. Additionally, I’d like to know if there are any step-by-step guides or tutorials that can walk me through the process, considering I am not very tech-savvy. It’s essential for me to capture audio directly from my system for various projects, but I’m feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of options and the technical jargon. Can someone help clarify the most effective and user-friendly way to achieve this?
5 Answers
OBS Studio is another excellent option for recording system audio. Here’s how:
1. Download OBS Studio: Visit the OBS Studio website and download it for Mac.
2. Install BlackHole: This plugin is necessary for capturing system audio.
3. Configure OBS: Open OBS Studio and go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Audio’, then set an ‘Auxiliary Audio Device’ to ‘BlackHole’.
4. System Preferences: Change your Mac’s audio output to ‘BlackHole’ from ‘System Preferences’.
5. Add Audio Source: In OBS, add a new audio source and select ‘BlackHole’.
6. Record: Click ‘Start Recording’ in OBS Studio to capture your system audio.
If you want something very straightforward, using the built-in Voice Memos app could work for basic recordings:
1. Launch Voice Memos: Find and open the Voice Memos app in your Applications folder.
2. Play the Audio: Ensure that the system audio you wish to capture is playing.
3. Record the Audio: Press the record button in Voice Memos. Note that this captures audio played through your speakers and recorded by the microphone, so a quiet environment is crucial to reduce background noise.
For those who prefer using built-in tools and a bit of hardware, consider using a loopback cable with QuickTime Player. Follow these steps:
1. Get a Loopback Cable: Purchase a suitable loopback cable from an electronics store.
2. Connect the Cable: Plug one end into your Mac’s headphone jack and the other into the microphone input.
3. Open QuickTime Player: Select ‘New Audio Recording’ from the ‘File’ menu in QuickTime Player.
4. Set Input Source: Change the recording input to ‘Line In’ or a suitable option.
5. Adjust Levels: Ensure audio input levels are balanced to prevent feedback.
6. Start Recording: Click the record button to begin capturing the audio.
If you’re looking for a free software solution, Audacity paired with iShowU Audio Capture can be incredibly powerful. Follow these steps:
1. Download Audacity: Visit the Audacity website and download the appropriate version for your Mac.
2. Install iShowU Audio Capture: This is essential for capturing system audio, acting as a bridge between system sound and Audacity.
3. Configure Audacity: Open Audacity, go to ‘Preferences’, and under ‘Devices’, set your input device to iShowU Audio Capture.
4. System Output Configuration: In ‘System Preferences’, select ‘Output’ and set it to iShowU Audio Capture.
5. Start Recording: Launch Audacity, press the record button, and you’ll be able to capture the system audio.
To capture system audio on your Mac, using QuickTime Player along with Soundflower can be quite effective. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Install Soundflower: Download and install Soundflower, a free Mac extension that allows apps to pass audio to other apps.
2. Configure MIDI Setup: Launch the ‘Audio MIDI Setup’ app and create a new ‘Multi-Output Device’, selecting both ‘Built-in Output’ and ‘Soundflower (2ch)’.
3. System Output Settings: Navigate to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Sound’, and change the output to ‘Multi-Output Device’.
4. QuickTime Configuration: Open QuickTime Player, select ‘New Audio Recording’ from the ‘File’ menu, and choose ‘Soundflower (2ch)’ as the input source.
5. Record: Hit the record button in QuickTime Player, and it will capture the system audio effectively.