You're trying to record that important Zoom meeting or gameplay session on your Mac, but when you play it back... silence. Total silence. Been there, done that. Figuring out how to screen record with audio on Mac feels like cracking a secret code sometimes. After wasting hours myself trying to record webinar audio that never captured, I decided to dig into every possible method.
Look, Apple makes incredible machines, but their screen recording setup? Not exactly straightforward. Sometimes you need system audio, other times your microphone, occasionally both. And depending on your MacOS version? Whole different ball game.
Your Quick Start Cheat Sheet
Before we dive deep, here's the emergency fix for most people who just need results now:
| What You Need | Quick Solution | MacOS Version Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Record screen + microphone | Press Shift-Command-5 → Click Options → Select mic | Mojave (10.14) or later |
| Record screen + internal audio (system sounds) | Use QuickTime → File → New Screen Recording → Click arrow → Choose "MacBook Speakers" | Catalina (10.15) or later |
| Record both system audio AND microphone | Third-party tool like OBS (free) or ScreenFlow (paid) | Any modern OS (workaround needed pre-Catalina) |
Funny story - last month I tried recording a client demo using the built-in tools. The video looked perfect but I sounded like a robot underwater. Turns out I'd forgotten to disable "ambient noise reduction." Who designs these settings? Anyway, let's break this down properly.
QuickTime Method: The Built-In Hero (With Quirks)
Everyone's got QuickTime, right? It's been hiding in your Applications folder since day one. For basic screen recording with audio on Mac, it's actually decent if you're running Catalina or newer.
Step-by-Step: Recording System Sounds
- Open QuickTime Player (use Spotlight if you can't find it)
- Go to File → New Screen Recording
- Click the dropdown arrow next to the record button
- Under Microphone, select "MacBook Speakers" or similar
- Optional: Check "Show Mouse Clicks" for tutorials
- Click the red record button → click anywhere to record full screen or drag to select area
- Press Command-Control-Esc to stop
Where QuickTime falls short? It won't record both your voice AND system audio simultaneously. Tried it last week for a software walkthrough - either my narration was missing or the app sounds disappeared. Super frustrating when you need both.
Watch out: On older Macs (pre-Catalina), you won't see "MacBook Speakers" as an option. Apple didn't include internal audio capture until recently. If you're stuck on Mojave or earlier, scroll down for legacy solutions.
The Shift-Command-5 Shortcut Method
This is Apple's newer screen capture tool introduced in Mojave. Super handy for quick recordings, but with audio limitations:
- Press Shift-Command-5
- Choose full screen, selected portion, or app window recording
- Click Options
- Under Microphone, pick your input device
- Click Record
- Press Command-Control-Esc to stop
What bugs me? This tool only records microphone input, not system audio. Fine for recording your voice over a silent demo, useless for capturing gameplay sounds or webinar audio. Why Apple didn't merge both audio capabilities still puzzles me.
Third-Party Tools That Actually Work
When built-in options fall short, these tools save the day for screen recording with audio on Mac:
| Tool | Price | Internal Audio | Microphone | Both Simultaneously | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Free | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Steep (I got lost twice) |
| ScreenFlow | $129 one-time | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Moderate (worth the effort) |
| Camtasia | $179 one-time | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Gentle (my recommendation for beginners) |
| Snagit | $63/year | ✘ | ✔︎ | ✘ | Easy (but audio limitations) |
I resisted third-party tools for years - "Why pay when QuickTime's free?" Then I tried recording a webinar where I needed to interject comments. ScreenFlow changed everything. The initial setup took 20 minutes (their tutorials helped), but now I can record presentations with system audio while adding voiceovers live.
OBS Studio: Free Powerhouse Setup Guide
Seriously, OBS is amazing once you get past its ugly interface. Here's the fastest way to set it up for screen recording with audio on Mac:
- Download and install OBS
- Under Sources → Click + → Add Display Capture
- Click + again → Add Audio Input Capture → Select your microphone
- Click + one more time → Add Audio Output Capture → Select "MacBook Speakers"
- Go to Settings → Output
- Set output mode to Advanced
- Under Recording, choose your video format (MP4 works best)
- Hit Start Recording in main window
Confession: My first OBS recording was a disaster. I forgot to check audio levels and ended up with ear-splitting system audio and inaudible narration. Tweak your input levels under Audio Mixer before recording anything important.
Solving the Ancient Mac Problem
Still rocking an older Mac? Here's how to screen record with audio on Mac running High Sierra or earlier:
Workaround for pre-Catalina systems:
1. Install BlackHole (free audio router)
2. Open Audio MIDI Setup (Utilities folder)
3. Click + → Create Multi-Output Device
4. Check Built-in Speakers and BlackHole 2ch
5. Open System Preferences → Sound → Output → Select your new multi-output device
6. In QuickTime, choose BlackHole as microphone source
Yes, it's clunky. Yes, it feels like performing surgery. But it works. I helped a friend set this up on his 2015 MacBook Pro last month and we got clean system audio capture after two failed attempts. Persistence pays off.
Audio Settings That Make or Break Your Recording
Getting the source right is only half the battle. These settings trip up most people:
- Sample Rate Mismatch: If audio sounds distorted, ensure all devices use 44.1kHz or 48kHz (Audio MIDI Setup)
- Bluetooth Lag: AirPods cause sync issues. Use wired headphones during recording
- Background Noise: Enable "Ambient Noise Reduction" in System Preferences → Accessibility → Audio
- Volume Spikes: Set a limiter in OBS (right-click audio meter → Filters)
My biggest facepalm moment? Recorded an hour-long tutorial only to discover my mic was set to 50% volume. Always do a 10-second test recording first.
FAQ: Real Questions from Frustrated Users
Why can't I hear audio when playing back my screen recording?
99% of the time, you forgot to select an audio source before recording. On newer Macs, you MUST explicitly choose "MacBook Speakers" in QuickTime or microphone input in Shift-Command-5 recordings. Silent recordings happen to everyone - just double-check next time.
Can I record Zoom/Teams meetings with audio on Mac?
Technically yes, but ethically questionable without consent. For personal use: QuickTime works if you select "MacBook Speakers" as microphone source. Better solution: Ask participants to record locally. Some platforms block recording for privacy reasons.
Why does my audio and video go out of sync?
Usually caused by Bluetooth latency or system overload. Close unnecessary apps, use wired audio devices, and reduce recording resolution. In OBS, try changing output mode to MKV - it handles crashes better.
Is there a way to record iPhone audio through QuickTime?
Yes! Connect iPhone via USB, trust the computer, then select your iPhone as both camera and microphone source in QuickTime. Works great for app demos.
Will these methods work on M1/M2 Macs?
Absolutely. Apple Silicon handles screen recording with audio even better than Intel Macs. Just ensure you're running at least Big Sur for full compatibility.
Pro Workflows They Don't Tell You About
After recording dozens of tutorials, here's my battle-tested workflow:
- For quick internal audio captures: QuickTime (Catalina+)
- For voiceover recordings: Shift-Command-5
- For presentations with voice + system audio: ScreenFlow ($129 but saves hours)
- For live streaming + recording: OBS Studio (free but complex)
Storage tip: Screen recordings eat space. My 10-minute 1080p recording averages 500MB. Use Apple's ProRes codec only if you need studio quality - otherwise stick with H.264. Clean out your Movies folder regularly.
Keyboard Shortcuts That Save Time
- Shift-Command-5: Open screen recorder
- Command-Control-Esc: Stop any recording
- Option-Command-R: Start/stop recording in OBS
- Control-click on recording icon: Show recent files
When All Else Fails: The Nuclear Option
Still having audio issues? Try these last resorts:
- Create a new user account (system preferences) and test recording there
- Boot in Safe Mode (hold Shift during startup) to isolate software conflicts
- Reset NVRAM (Intel Macs: Option-Command-P-R during boot; Apple Silicon: no need)
- Update or revert MacOS versions (some updates break audio drivers)
Honestly? When my recording setup acts up, I restart everything - computer, audio interface, even my router. Works scary often. Tech runs on superstition sometimes.
Final thought: Mastering screen recording with audio on Mac takes experimentation. What works for YouTube tutorials might fail for webinar captures. My advice? Pick one method that covers 80% of your needs and stick with it until it becomes muscle memory. Then explore alternatives when you hit limitations. Happy recording!
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