Get Capto for screen recording
Audacity, Audio Hijack, and Ocenaudio are probably your best bets out of the 6 options considered. 'Free, open source and cross-platform' is the primary reason people pick Audacity over the competition. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision. In order to record both screen and audio on Mac computers, you will need to install Soundflower, first. To do so, simply visit this GitHub link, and click on the “Soundflower-2.0b2.dmg” link to download the installer for Soundflower. Some of the niceties of ScreenFlow include the program’s ability to record video not just from Mac’s screen, but also from a connected iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It, too, can import video and audio from external webcams and microphones, and offers the highest bitrate for recording a retina display (30fps). Start Screen Record with Internal Audio Open the QuickTime Player app. For newer Macs, you can do it by click on the File tab at the top-left corner of the screen, then pick New Screen Recording. The QuickTime Player toolbar should appear at the bottom part of the screen.
Screen grabs and screenshots are useful for sharing information, of course. And sometimes, that is all we need. But there are other times when we need to talk to people, or record something so that someone else, maybe thousands of miles away, can easily understand what we need to say.
How to record Mac screen with sound
To narrate what’s happening on your Mac, you oftentimes need to record your computer screen with audio. Macs don’t have the built-in tools for it so in this article, we explain how you can easily record desktop with voice over using a few third-party apps.
Ultimate screen recording toolkit
Capture scrolling content, record video, create voice-overs, and so much more. With Setapp, your screen recording can be limitless.
A quick overview: We’ll explain how to use Apple’s native QuickTime, which many don't realize comes with the screen, video, and audio recording capabilities — so it’s not just an app for watching videos. If you’re here for a more advanced toolkit you could use to record voice-overs and edit videos, we’ll show how to do it with Capto, CleanShot X, and Dropshare.
Record your screen with audio on macOS
To record audio and screenshots or moving screen grabs at the same time, you can use a small app named Capto. Available from Setapp and easy-to-use. It has a whole range of capturing features to create a detailed and informative screen capture with blocks of text, highlights and even a FaceTime camera recording.
If you are in a hurry and need to get something to a colleague or client quickly, but want it to look professional, record video what you need, give it a quick edit then email it across. Plus you’ve got the ability to mute, fade in, or fade out of the audio recording tracks to get professional sound without clicks and keyboard noise.
How you record audio and screenshots using a screen recording app
- Launch Capto or similar screen recorder and find Record button
- Check the boxes to make sure you are picking up audio and recording the screen (or portion of the screen)
- Choose to record FaceTime camera, setup recording time limit, and choose the second menu (small dots below) to hide files on your desktop
- Hit the Record button
- Once you are done, press the red button in the menu bar or shift + command + esc
- Edit as needed in the Video section, then upload as an attachment or publish online
It is as easy as that. And, if you have a little more time, use the controls on the left to tweak the sound, trim, add annotations, highlight specific areas, adjust the size and placement of the camera video, and make any other changes as needed.
Make a voice over video of your screen
Another app that lets you create a narrated screencast is Dropshare. It was originally created as a super-easy cloud sharing app because sharing files is a chore. Dropshare solves it by instantly giving you secure links and drag-and-drop file uploads of ready screencasts.
Making a screen record with voice over
- Launch Dropshare (it's free with Setapp subscription).
- Click a circular icon in the menu bar to record the screen.
- Choose a microphone to record system audio and audio from your microphone.
- Hit the red button to start recording.
- Hit it again to stop recording.
- Pack up the file and send it anywhere.
Other times, you may need to record calls made through your Mac. Either this is for training purposes, to demonstrate something to a colleague, or it is an interview that needs recording.
Ultimate screen capturing on Mac
If you deal with screenshots and screen recordings often, you don’t want to be juggling different apps all the time. In this case, CleanShot X is pretty much all you need. This screen capturing app covers 50+ different features — from creating optimized GIFs to scrolling captures to video recordings. So if you’re looking for a universal thing, this is the right choice.
The great thing is CleanShot X lets you tweak lots of small things while recording video. You get snappable resize controls, can choose to display recording time on a video, highlight mouse clicks, or disable notifications in a click. All the options are right at your fingertips.
Here’s how to record screen with CleanShot X:
- Click Record Screen in the menu bar
- Pick whether you want to capture video or GIF
- Drag to select a custom area on the screen
- Enable/disable audio recording
- Customize settings (area size, system notifs, mouse click highlighting, etc.)
- Once you’re ready, hit the Record button
- Trim the recording outputs from the Overlay Menu in the end.
How to record calls on your Mac
On a Mac, the three most popular ways to make calls are Skype, FaceTime - which comes with a handy feature that allows you to start a call on an iPhone and continue on a Mac (Handoff) - and WhatsApp. Here is how you record those calls using your Mac.
How to record a Skype meetings
Skype, even before Microsoft bought it, has never included a native way to record audio and visuals when on a call. Making it somewhat of a nuisance when important information is being conveyed and you’ve got to make notes quickly or ask for an email follow-up to clarify points.
For making screenshots during a call, you can use the following commonly-used Mac shortcuts :
⌘ + Shift + 3 to grab the entire screen
⌘ + Shift + 4 to capture a selected area
⌘ + Shift + 4 + press Space to take a screenshot of a selected window.
To record your Skype calls with video and audio you could use Capto, or another third-party app, such as Dropshare that we mentioned earlier. Just make sure you get the permission of the person you want to record, to put you on the right side of the law and to be polite. If you are experiencing issues connecting to call, follow these tips to use Skype on a Mac desktop.
Screen record FaceTime and Handoff with audio
One of the most effective ways of recording a FaceTime call is using a QuickTime recorder. How to start recording your FaceTime calls:
- Open QuickTime on your Mac
- Click File in the Menu bar
- Select New Screen Recording
- Choose the Internal Microphone in the list of audio input options
- Open FaceTime to make your call (or use Handoff to transition a call from an iPhone to your Mac)
- Click the Record button and Screen to record the full screen, or click and drag the capture option to limit the recording to the call screen
- Once the call is over, press Stop to end the recording
- Then go to File > Save
How to record WhatsApp calls
Similar to FaceTime and Skype, you can make calls using WhatsApp on your Mac and record them using QuickTime, Capto or other third-party apps.
Either download WhatsApp Video Call or use the WhatsApp Web application to make a call. Once you are ready, pick the app you are going to use to record the call. For a quick unedited audio recording, QuickTime should suffice. If you want the ability to record in more detail, and make edits, then Capto or Dropshare are ideal for that purpose.
The default way of QuickTime recording doesn’t give you many options in terms of editing, captions, extra info, additional images, etc. Using Capto allows for a more complete experience if you need a bit more creative freedom with your call recordings.
Plus, both Capto and Dropshare are available as a part of Setapp subscription. If you have Setapp, you get their full functionality + 170 more handy Mac utilities in one suite. There’s a 7-day free trial, so give it a go. Anyways, we hope this guide has been of help, have a lovely day!
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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Don’t know which Mac screen and audio recorder you should choose? Actually, high-quality screen and video capture will help you improve efficiency and optimize your recording content. Whether you use it to stream games online, make tutorials, record your singing, or anything else, you need to find a suitable screen and audio recorder for your Mac. In this article, we’ve listed the top 10 Mac screen and audio recorders for you, including free and the advanced features of a paid solution.
TOP 1. Vidmore Screen Recorder
Vidmore Screen Recorder is a versatile video recorder to capture any activity on your screen, record HD video, as well as webcam. With this powerful video and audio recorder, you can record computer screen, exciting gameplay, webcam videos, online lectures, favorite music, or just save a screenshot on your Mac.
This screen and audio recording software for Mac is able to capture different audio sources to meet your needs, like system sounds, microphone voice or both. Separately recorded audio clips also give you more control over the sound of more complex projects. It's also good for only recording audio projects like podcasts or audiobooks and you can save them as MP3, M4A, WMA, or AAC files. The quality of the audio file can be set at your request. You can pre-listen to the recorded audio file before saving it.
Here are some key features:
- Easily record your desktop screen activity and capture your webcam with high quality.
- Capture online videos from YouTube, Dailymotion, Facebook, TED, etc.
- Record any audio from your computer and your voice from the microphone.
- Take a screenshot of the whole screen or of a single window.
- Add text, arrows, and shapes to your recording or screenshot.
- Be able to set output video format, video codec, and video quality.
- Set the task name, starting time and ending time and duration.
TOP 2. QuickTime
QuickTime is the free built-in media player for Mac users. It is a reliable video player, but it’s also a quick and easy screen recorder that you don’t have to pay for. To some extent, it is similar to VLC.
This Mac software is wonderful if you need to record your screen in a pinch. It’s also one of the best video converter apps for macOS. With it, you can also edit your recordings. However, you can’t select a window to record a video. And it can only save 1080pHD video, not support 4K.
TOP 3. VLC
VLC Media Player, a popular Windows Media Player for Mac and Windows, which can play almost any media file format without quality loss. If you only regard VLC as the video player, you may have missed many features from it. It also lets you record any video and audio that is playing with this media player.
You can use VLC to record video from a DVD to your hard drive, capture streaming video from the Internet and record a screen capture video of your computer's desktop. If you are looking for a free recorder, VLC deserves a try. But, you need to pay attention that it can only record without any further editing features. So you have to find another app to edit your recordings if you need it.
Download: VLC(https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html) (Free)
TOP 4. AnyMP4 Screen Recorder
AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is a powerful app to record screen and audio for Mac and Windows users. It can record any kind of screen on the computer like online videos, games, Skype calls, Podcast, online conference, webcam videos, webinars, lectures and more.
This screen and audio recorder app is able to capture system sounds, microphone voice or both and save your audio recording as MP3, M4A, WMA, or AAC files. After you finish recording, you can play the recorded video in advance and watch it as well as listen to the audio files directly.
Download: AnyMP4 Screen Recorder(https://www.anymp4.com/screen-recorder/) (Free trial)
TOP 5. OBS
OBS, also named as Open Broadcaster Software, is the free and open-source program for video and audio recording, as well as live streaming. Provided with lots of features and settings, you are able to capture the game screen among the multiple screens and optimize your setup for recording.
This Mac app is a great program for advanced users. It can be configured to your needs as a recording program. However, it is hard to master this recorder for novice users. If you’re willing to put in the time to learn the rules, it’s a great option.
Download: OBS(https://obsproject.com/) (Free)
TOP 6. Bandicam
Bandicam is the video recording software for Mac and Windows that allows you to capture any screen on your computer. You can record lectures, webinars, games and Skype calls with the option to add narration from your microphone and video from your webcam, and share on YouTube or Vimeo.
With it, you can also capture external video devices from webcam, Xbox, IPTV, etc. And it also supports for the schedule recording. Bandicam provides a free version for Mac users to have a try, but you can’t use a full-featured recorder.
Download: Bandicam(https://www.bandicam.com/free-screen-recorder/) (Free trial)
TOP 7. Camtasia
Camtasia is the combination of video/audio recorder and editor on Windows and Mac. You can use it to capture anything on your computer screen–websites, software, video calls, or PowerPoint presentations. With its built-in video editor, you can drag and drop text, transitions, effects, and more.
Screen Record For Mac With Audio Interface
It can also capture audio from a mic, the system or both. You can also send recordings from your mobile device directly, but admittedly, this it isn’t smooth enough. After recording, you can upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, Screencast, or your online video course. However, this app does cost a lot – $249. But if you’re looking for a professional one to create your recordings, it might be worth the investment.
Download: Camtasia(https://www.techsmith.com/download/camtasia/) (Free trial)
TOP 8. Movavi Screen Capture Studio
Movavi Screen Capture Studio is the video recording software, which has all the tools you will need to capture a screen on the computer and edit your recordings. You can use it to capture your entire desktop or a specific region, application or window. It's also great for recording streaming video, video games, and more. It can also record your system’s audio or voice through a microphone. However, it can’t share the video recording directly to YouTube, etc. And it doesn’t have the option to lock the window while recording.
Download: Movavi Screen Capture Studio(https://www.movavi.com/screen-recorder-mac/) (Free trial)
TOP 9. Snagit
Snagit is the advanced video recording software and combines some of the best screen recording features in a simple interface. It allows simultaneous recording from screens and webcams. However, you are not able to overlay the videos. Instead, you need to toggle between which one is recorded.
Free Recording Software
Snagit also allows you to record audio; you can view your past recordings and tag them for finding them quickly in the future. It is featured by a powerful editor with a vast library. This recorder is not friendly to the novice.
Download: Snagit(https://www.techsmith.com/download/snagit/) (Free trial)
TOP 10. ScreenFlow
With ScreenFlow, you can record any part of your screen or the entire monitor while also capturing your video camera, iOS device, microphone or multi-channel audio device, and your computer’s audio. You can creatively edit your video with its built-in editor. And you’re able to share your video directly to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. However, the cost is $129, a little bit expensive. You can have a free trial if you need.
Download: ScreenFlow(http://primary.telestream.net/screenflow/) (Free trial)
Screen Record Mac With Audio 2020
Conclusion
Which screen and audio recorder is best? All of the above recorders can give you a great video and audio recording experience. All in all, selecting any recorder is up to your requirements and budget.