How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

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The Holy Grail of screen recording on Mac

Mac OSX has QuickTime Player built-in. QuickTime allows you to easily do a screen recording. However, when doing so, you only get the screen – no audio.

You can install Soundflower to route your computer’s audio back into QuickTime to record it.

  • Open QuickTime Player
  • Go to File – New Screen Recording
  • Click red Record button

Adding Audio from your Computer

This allows you to capture the audio from your computer in your QuickTime screen recording. This is what I kept finding when trying to search for a solution. Google “Screen recording with audio on Mac” and you will see. This option routes ALL audio through Soundflower and therefore you CANNOT HEAR IT to monitor it as it is being recorded.

  • Download and install Soundflower http://cycling74.com/products/soundflower/
  • Go into System Preferences – Sound – Output — choose Soundflower 2ch
  • Open QuickTime
  • Start New Screen Recording – Click drop down arrow on right side of dialog box – choose Soundflower 2ch
  • Click red Record button

The Holy Grail (Adding Audio from your Microphone and your Computer while being able to hear the audio as it records)

This is great for a screen-sharing session where you are talking to someone and walking through an application over the computer. This was the exact thing I needed to do when I figured this out, thought I would write it up to remember in the future.

NOTE: If you do not want to include your microphone audio and only include the audio from your computer in your screen recording, just take out the steps related to the “Aggregate Device” and choose SoundFlower 2ch in QuickTime for your screen recording.

  • Download and install Soundflower http://cycling74.com/products/soundflower/
  • Go to Applications – Utilities — Open Audio Midi Setup
  • Click the (+) Plus sign in bottom left corner
  • Choose “Create Aggregate Device”
  • Place a checkmark next to Soundflower 2ch and Built-in Microphone
  • Click the (+) Plus sign again
  • Choose “Create Multi-Output Device”
  • Place a checkmark next to SoundFlower 2ch and Built-in Output
  • Go into System Preferences – Sound – Output — choose Multi-Output Device
  • Now, when you open up QuickTime – Start New Screen Recording and select “Aggregate Device” from drop down arrow on the right.

Voila!

Quicktime is one of the most popular screen recording software for Mac devices to edit music or add audio to video but the sad part is that it cannot record audio from your device. If you wish to create an engaging tutorial on your Apple device then Quick Time will just disappoint you. This tutorial includes everything you need to know to use QuickTime player for screen recording along with active audio input.

  • Part1.A solution to record screen with audio
  • Part2.How to use QuickTime to record on iPad, iPhone?
  • Part3.Pros and cons of a QuickTime player
  • Part4.Free QuickTime player alternative for Mac

The Solution to Record Screen With Audio on Mac:

Step 1: Get your SoundFlower Software:

The very first step is to download SoundFlower software from the internet. This software is actually an extension to Mac devices that allows audio information to pass into other applications. You can easily receive or send audio using this program.

Step 2: Restart your Mac device:

Once you have downloaded and installed your new software program then you must restart your system. It will help to refresh all controls so that you can never find any trouble during the recording session.

Step 3: Follow the basic settings:

Now you need to go to system preferences and then visit the sound tab over there. Select the sound output option and select SoundFlower (2ch) as your active output for the current recording. It will help you to turn off the audio signal to speakers and it will be directly transferred to the SoundFlower platform.

How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

Step 4: Go to Quick Time Window:

Once you have made adjustments for sound recording then it is the right time to move towards the QuickTime window for initiating the recording process. Simply go the file option available on top bar and then select a new screen recording option from the drop-down menu.

How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

Step 5: Start Recording:

Now you can start the recording process by simply hitting the little arrow available on the screen. It will help you to create a tutorial using your Mac device. The video quality of Quick Time software tool is rated to be very high and SoundFlower can assist in improved audio quality so users are able to generate professional tutorials for games as well as for many applications. The recording process is much easier to follow for beginners as well as professionals.

How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

Step 6: Finish recording:

Once your recording process is complete then it is time to disconnect sound flower from audio input so that you can get back your audio on speakers. For this, you have to visit system preferences and then select sound settings, go to output and select Internal Speakers as the destination.

How to use QuickTime to record screen and audio on iPad, iPhone?

The same application can be used to record videos on iPhones as well as on iPads. All that you need to do is:

Step 1: Just get connected to your iPhone or any other portable iOS device using Quicktime player.

Step 2: Run your recording application.

Step 3: Go to File and then select a new movie recording option from the drop-down menu.

How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

Step 4: It is time to make settings for sound and for this you have to select iOS on microphone as well as camera options. Once you have initiated all desired sound controls then it is time to move ahead.

How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

Step 5: Start the recording process.

How to record computer audio with quicktime screen recording

Step 6: Once your recording process is complete then preview your video; you can edit as well as save it to your device as per need.

Pros and cons of using QuickTime Player to Record Audio and Screen:

The QuickTime player is really the best option for your routine recording needs as it can generate videos with high resolution.

At the end let us discuss a few pros and cons of Quicktime player for the recording process:

Pros:

  • This software program is easy to use and fast to operate.
  • Perfectly compatible with the iPad as well as iPhone so you can initiate the recording process at any time from anywhere.
  • It allows users to do easy editing of videos.

Cons:

  • You have to perform a few settings prior to recording as well as after finishing the recording process; it appears time-consuming.
  • Users are not able to hear sound from speakers when audio is connected to Sound Flower so one cannot recognize whether the right tracks are being recorded or not.

Free QuickTime Player Alternative for Mac:

If you are searching for a screen video recorder with an audio recording function for Mac that has professional video editing tools, then it is good to go for DemoCreator that is compatible with the Mac platform.

This screen capture software tool can be accessed for free and some of its incredible features include an intuitive interface, powerful video, and audio editing, and allowing paid users to access so many additional resources.

Try it now

Secure Download

Try it now

Secure Download

Main features for DemoCreator:

  1. Support customizable screen, audio, webcam recording, and video editing in one program.
  2. Support a powerful screen drawing tool that helps you annotate the game screen while recording.
  3. Featured with pan&zoom, green screen, transitions, making your video more attractive.
  4. Build-in with a video effects library. You can use it to make your game video more engaging.

If you want to find a tool that helps you record a screen with audio on Mac, the DemoCreator you can not miss!

Can you record computer audio with QuickTime?

With QuickTime Player open, go to File > New Screen Recording. A Screen Recording prompt will appear. Before you click the record button, Click the down arrow next to the button to ensure you are set up properly. Microphone Options: If you prefer to have your voice recorded, choose the microphone you prefer.

Can you screen record with computer audio on Mac?

Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder, then choose File > New Screen Recording from the menu bar. You will then see either the onscreen controls described above or the Screen Recording window described below. To record your voice or other audio with the screen recording, choose a microphone.