Mar 31, 2020 Although MacOS isn’t always the only platform for great software, when it comes to free recording applications, it has the best of the bunch. GarageBand is an Apple-exclusive program that gives you.

'Hi Guys! Lory here with some tips on how to record your Mac screen.' If that sounds familiar, than you've been watching too many gamer videos. It's time you made your own.

The Mac comes with a very easy to use screen recording program built in. It's called QuickTime Player and it is the perfect way to get started in the business. If you've completed your training and are ready for a screen recording program with more features, we've got some recommendations for you, too.

How to record your Mac's screen using QuickTime Player

QuickTime offers the fastest, easiest way to quickly get to screen recording without any fuss or muss.

1. Launch QuickTime Player on your Mac (The easiest way to find it is to search with Spotlight).

2. Click on File from the App menu on the left side of the screen.

3. Select New Screen Recording from the drop-down menu.

4. Click on the caret next to the red button to select your audio options.

5. Select your Microphone. If you aren't using an external mic, choose Internal Microphone. If you don't want to record audio, choose None.
6. Select Show Mouse Clicks in Recording to display a dark circle that appears when you click on the screen.

7. Click on the red record button to begin recording your screen.

8. If you want to record your entire screen, click anywhere on your screen, then click the prompt.
9. If you want to record a portion of the screen, drag your cursor from one corner of the section to the other, and then click record when prompted.

10. Click the Stop button in the Menu bar on the left side of your screen when you're done recording.

How to record a higher frame rate using QuickTime Player

Anyone that's tried to use QuickTime to record fast-paced action games will know that the frame rate is not very good. QuickTime usually records at 30 FPS, which will look choppy when you're playing fast-paced games.

There is a little trick that will increase your frame rate when recording with QuickTime. It is possible to improve the recording speed to as much as 60 FPS.

1. Click on the Apple menu icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.

2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

3. Click on Displays.

4. Select the Display tab.

5. Tick the Scaled option.

6. Select Larger Text.

7. Click OK when prompted to confirm that you want to scale the resolution of your screen.

This isn't an official way to increase the frame rate when recording your screen with QuickTime, but it seems to work pretty well most of the time.

Best advanced editing screen recording apps for Mac

If you want to do more with your gaming sessions than just record and publish them, there are a few programs out there that will let you do some extra stuff, like edit before publishing and the like. These are the best one's for the Mac.

Capto

Capto is a solid screen recording app that works with full HD, in full screen, and at 60fps. It also works with your iPhone or iPad so you can record on any screen you want. It has a handful of editing tools so you can trim and crop videos, as well as annotate clips. When you've finished editing your screen capture video, you can push it to all the social things with just a click right from Capto.

When you're ready for the next step in editing your gaming sessions, Capto is the perfect advanced-beginner program

• $29.99 - See in the Mac App Store

iShowU HD

ShinyWhiteBox has been building recording software for the Mac for years. iShowU has grown into a feature rich program that gives you tons of recording options, including connecting to your Mac's camera if you want to build in a little personality. You can even record your keyboard and mouse activities to help your viewers to know what to do next. It has automatic full screen recording detection that will switch to full screen recording as soon as you switch to full-screen gaming.

If you're looking for a program that lets you do more than just record your screen, iShowU HD has all the goods. You can download a free trial version to see if it's the right program for your needs.

• $29.99 - See at ShinyWhiteBox

Screenflow 6

ScreenFlow is probably the most versatile and robust screen recording program that also has an intuitive and easy to use interface. You can record your Mac screen, iPhone or iPad, and capture your Mac's camera image, all at the same time. You can also edit videos with an editing program that looks a bit like GarageBand. You can even produce animations and motion graphics and add closed caption subtitles.

ScreenFlow has all the important recording and editing tools you need and presents it with a clear and understandable interface. You can download a free trial to see if you like it before you buy.

• $99 - See at Telestream

OBS Studio

Open Broadcast Studio is an open source software program for videos and capturing real-time screen recording. It has a lot of helpful tools for setting up the perfect recording ahead of time and includes audio mixing tools to help you adjust your sound for those moments you yell with glee (or anger). It's a little complicated, and takes some getting used to, but it's free and works really well. It's got more recording and set up options than QuickTime, but won't cost you any money to use.

• Free - See at OBS Project

Any questions?

Do you have questions about recording your Mac's screen using QuickTime Player? Put them in the comments below. If you have suggestions for great screen recording software for the Mac that we didn't mention, we'd love to know about it, too.

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Smooth workflow is one of the reasons why Audio and Video Professionals prefer Mac to Windows. As long as you have the right apps, you wouldn’t face any glitches, per se. If you want to record audio for music production, podcasts or something else, you need the best audio recording software for Mac.

By default, Mac allows you to record audio from Mac internal mic, which is fine if you want to take quick audio notes. However, if you want professional audio quality, we recommended using a USB mic like Blue Yeti. If you want to record system audio, install Soundflower on your Mac. Most the following Mac Audio recorder allows you to change audio source. Down below, we have covered some of the best audio recording software for Mac that you can use.

Read: 10+ Best Voice Recorder Apps For iPhone

Best Audio Recording Software for Mac

1. QuickTime

Best for – simple audio recording

QuickTime, as you may know, is an inbuilt utility in macOS. It’s usually used for video/audio playback but it lets you record audio content as well. Just so you know, QuickTime also lets you record video using a webcam or a connected device. Now, coming to the audio recording feature of QuickTime, everything is super-easy. You have a really intuitive interface with minimal customization options.

It’ll take you a few extra clicks to start recording audio with QuickTime. First, launch the app from the Spotlight, and go to File > New Audio Recording.

For instance, QuickTime lets you change the recording source — pick between the internal microphone and the system audio (with SoundFlower). You can also change the Recording quality between High and Maximum. Once these are set, just hit the Record button. As the program records your voice, you can see the size of the recording file also. Once you’ve recorded the whole thing, you can export the file as MPEG-4 Audio file. However, there is no option to pause audio recording, you can only stop it and start a new one.

Pros

• Really easy-to-use interface
• Built-in macOS
• Ability to record from different sources including an external Mic

Cons

• Limited customization options, no option to pause recording
• The interface isn’t suitable for professionals
• Limited options for exporting audio

The Verdict

QuickTime is the best Mac software for casual audio recording. It gets the job done — with minimum things at stake. You don’t have to worry about complex customizations or exporting. Everything you record will be available in a single file. That having said, we would not recommend QuickTime for professionals.

QuickTime Comes Built into Mac

2. Audacity

Best for – recording voice over and editing

Audacity is a free and open source audio recording software for Mac. We use for recording audio for our YouTube channel. You have an option to choose the recording source (we use it with Blue Yeti mic), recording channel type, audio type etc. As you can see below, it does offer a wider range of control as well. But, the best part about Audacity for Mac is that it comes along with a bunch of editing tools. In fact, Audacity is a digital audio editor, first, and recorder later.

Unlike QuickTime, Audacity lets you perform basic audio editing tasks like editing. You will also find options like effects, voice generation, noise removal, and track-based management. In case you are into professional audio recording and editing, there is a wide variety of Audacity plug-ins to choose from. Another bright side is that you will be able to export the audio recording in almost any format.

The reason, why we prefer Audacity is because it’s cross-platform support (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux) Just as Photoshop save the file in PSD and have all the properties intact, you can save audacity files in AUP, which can be later open and edited from any computer that audacity installed in it.

Pros

• Professional features for recording & editing
• Multiple audio recording and editing options
• Free, Open Source and Cross-platform

Cons

• Audacity doesn’t have an intuitive interface
• Takes time to get used to

The Verdict

As we said, Audacity is made for professionals. Did we say that Audacity is free to use? It’s free, open-source and cross-platform. Considering the features you get, it’s an awesome deal as well. At least, you would not have to worry about paying a huge amount for your DAW.

Check Out Audacity (Free and Open Source)

3. Simple Recorder

Best for – quick audio recording

Simple Recorder is a truly simple solution for audio recording in Mac. It doesn’t come with many bells or whistles, but it gets the job done. Unlike QuickTime and Audacity, which takes multiple mouse click to start the recording, Simple Recorder sits in the menu bar and can start the audio recording in just two clicks. Best solution when you want to take quick notes.

You can select the source of recording from the drop-down menu. It also lets you set up the volume. In just a single button, Simple Recorder would start the recording process. In the Preferences section, you can pick the recording format, Sample Rate, Channel etc. There are some Pro features like Status Icon, Shortcuts and some levels of Automation.

Pros

• Quick and Easy to use
• You can manage all the actions from the icon menu itself
• Offers support for different sources and standard customization

Cons

• Doesn’t offer basic Editing options

The Verdict

Simple Recorder is the best Mac audio recording app for the intermediate users. Unlike QuickTime, it offers a standard set of customization options. That having said, unlike Audacity, the features aren’t that suitable for professionals either. So, if you think you need somewhat control over recording, go for this.

Check Out Simple Recorder (Free, offers a Pro plan as well)

4. GarageBand

Best for – recording audio for music production

Technically speaking, GarageBand is a digital audio workstation, not a digital audio recorder (like QuickTime) or a digital audio editor (like Audacity). In simple words, if you are into recording audio for music production, GarageBand is one of the best choices in town. It’s rich with features and offers the best level of compatibility. Last but not the least, you’d not have to pay a single penny for this program.

Like Audacity, GarageBand supports MIDI recording and editing out of the box. However, unlike Audacity, GarageBand has a smaller learning curve and is more stable. Also, it’s compatible with any iOS device.

Although it’s a fully-fledged DAW, you don’t need rocket science to record audio using GarageBand. It even has a dedicated mode for Voice, where you can also select the type of voice recording. For instance, it offers different options for recording Narration Voice and Bright Voice. Just hit the Record button and you can do the exporting part later.

Pros

• GarageBand is a fully-fledged audio recorder
• Comes with built-in audio editing features
• Well-suited for professionals

Cons

• GarageBand isn’t suitable for Quick Recordings
• Getting used to the interface may take some time

The Verdict

GarageBand is the recommended choice for professionals out there. If you need the best quality, control as well as performance, you should go for this built-in tool. Although the UI is simple, learning GarageBand will surely help you as an audio professional.

Check Out GarageBand (Free, Built-in in Mac)

5. Piezo

Best for – recording podcast

Piezo from Rogue Amoeba is a simple and wonderful audio recording software for podcasts. If you want to make some amazing podcast recordings with precision, you can count on Piezo. Unlike all of the tools we’ve talked about earlier, Piezo lets you record voice from popular apps like Chrome, Skype, FaceTime, Messages etc. It is one of the best features for getting precise podcasts, you know.

Settings in Piezo are very easy to manage. That having said, it lets you change the Music Quality only. Still, you don’t have to do guesswork here. Piezo has set up some quality pre-sets for music, audio, spoken word etc. By default, the recordings will be saved in MP3, which is convenient for most people. Just as you can see, the interface is a bit unconventional.

Pros

• Really easy-to-use Interface
• Quality Presets are useful for quick recording
• Supports recording from individual apps

Cons

• Could have better-exporting options

The Verdict

Piezo is the best audio recording software for doing podcasts on Mac. You can simply record your own voice or get inputs from common apps like Chrome or Skype. It is basically minimal but you have options to extend the capabilities of Piezo.

Check Out Piezo ($23, free trial available)

6. Macsome Audio Recorder

Best for – recording audio from multiple sources

Macsome Audio Recorder is one of the voice recorders that promise to do almost anything. Without bringing all the professional features, Macsome Audio Recorder lets you record audio from multiple sources such as the internal microphone, different apps on your Mac and other hardware. Unlike some other apps, however, it doesn’t offer any kind of optimization.

Despite all these features, the program has a minimal footprint to offer. Did we say mention that Macsome Audio Recorder has one of the best recording management interface as well? You can even use ID tags for organizing your recording files. We really liked how Macsome Audio Recorder works. You can add separate recording profiles for apps/hardware and start the recording process in a single click.

Pros

• Simple but effective interface
• Supports recording from individual apps/hardware
• Super-easy management of recording profiles

Cons

• The Recording screen isn’t intuitive

The Verdict

As it promises, Macsome Audio Recorder is one of the best all-in-one audio recorders for Mac. It might not have the best UI in town, but there are many productive features. When you want a tool that records podcast, music, and speech with the same efficiency, Macsome Audio Recorder would be our take.

Check Out Macsome Audio Recorder ($29.95, Free Trial available)

7. Audio Hijack

Best for – advanced video recording

We already talked about Piezo from Rogue Amoeba, right? Audio Hijack is also from the same developer but it offers advanced features and control. Inside a nice package, you will find tools for recording almost every type of audio from your Mac. You can even use Audio Hijack for scheduling recordings. It would be the best option when you’re recording audio from the web.

The best part is that Audio Hijack comes with different session templates — you have one for internet radio, DVD Audio, Application audio and Web Audio etc. When it comes to Application mode, you can pick an app from the list and start recording. You can also check out a bunch of built-in effects and filters in Audio Hijack. It also has an interesting UI that lets you manage how the recording process works. Overal Audio Hijack is one of the best audio recording software for Mac if you are looking for advanced features.

Pros

• Professional Interface and Intuitive UI
• In-built options for filters and sound effects
• Advanced options are available

Cons

• None worth noting

The Verdict

Audio Hijack is one of the very few Mac audio recording software that is worth paying for. You get a whole bunch of features like filters, effects, and top-to-bottom control. Even if you’re not into it, you can get a cool audio recording and management experience.

Check Out Audio Hijack ($59, Free Trial available)

8. AudioNote

Best for – take audio notes during lectures

AudioNote lets you combine a note-taking app and audio recording app. This is how it works: you can open AudioNote and start recording the lectures, interviews or something else. When you make notes on the screen, it will be synced with the audio. So, during the playback, you can listen to the audio as well as seeing all the notes on the screen.

There are some really cool features too. For instance, you can tap on one section of your notes to jump into the corresponding section in audio. As a note-taking software, you can bring text, shapes, annotations and a lot more things. Once you are done, you can also convert your notes to a PDF document. The best part is that you have everything in sync.

Best Game Recording Software Mac

Pros

• An excellent way to record and sync notes
• Easy interface
• iCloud integration

Cons

• None worth noting

The Verdict

AudioNote is the best option for students and professionals alike. With this tool in your hand, you don’t have to worry about getting the list in the notes. You would know what the professor was talking about when you’d written something. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Best Game Recording Software Mac Download

Check Out AudioNote ($14.99)

Best Audio Recording Software for Mac

Well, these are the different kind of audio recording software for Mac, for different needs. For your day-to-day casual recording needs, Simple Recorder is the best option, indeed. On the other hand, if you are into the world of podcast recording, go for Audio Hijack from Rogue Amoeba. Options like GarageBand as well as Audacity are for those who need professional-quality control over the recording quality and process. Still, you can take an effort to step up the game.

Best Game Recording Software Mac

Read: 4 Best Voice Recorder Apps for Android