How to Record System Audio on Mac (Big Sur/Catalina/Mojave …)

There is no default internal audio recording support for all Mac computers. If you want to record system audio on Mac, you need a third-party Mac audio recorder. Most audio recorders require soundflower for Mac internal audio recording, such as Audacity, QuickTime, etc. Because soundflower can create a "virtual" output device for routing audio. Or you can record streaming audio and desktop sound on Mac via Aiseesoft Screen Recorder directly. Soundflower is not your must-have audio recording tool on Mac. Now, let's see how to record internal audio on Mac with or without soundflower.

Record System Audio Mac

Part 1: How to Record System Audio on Mac without Soundflower

If you want to screen record with Mac computer sound and microphone voice, Aiseesoft Screen Recorder can be your first choice. You can record any sound from your computer without losing quality. The internal and external audio recording triggers are easy to use. No matter you want to record screen audio on Mac only, or record both computer and microphone sound, you can get satisfying results here.

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Aiseesoft Screen Recorder

  • Record internal audio on Mac from any browser, program, website, etc.
  • Save the Mac audio recording into MP3, M4A, WMA, CAF, FLAC, OGG, or OPUS.
  • Adjust the output audio quality from the lossless to the lowest.
  • Set custom audio recording length.
  • Trim the unwanted audio clips before exporting.
  • Compatible with Mac OS X 10.10 or above. (including macOS Sonoma).
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Step 1:
Free download, install, and launch the audio recorder for Mac. Choose Audio Recorder on the main interface. You can record system audio on Mac Big Sur and earlier versions here.
Interface
Step 2:
Turn on System Sound and adjust the input audio volume. If you want to record external audio on Mac, you can turn on Microphone as well.
Record Audio
Step 3:
The program will record desktop audio and save it as an MP3 on Mac by default. You can click the Preferences icon and navigate to the Output section. Find and adjust with Audio format and Audio quality options.
Recording Preferences
Step 4:
Click Rec to start recording system sound on Mac. When you stop recording, you can click Play in the Preview window to pre-listen it. Use the built-in audio clipper to extract any audio clip. At last, click Save to download the recorded Mac audio file.
Record Internal Audio Mac

Part 2: How to Record Mac Computer Audio with QuickTime

QuickTime Player can be your free screen recorder for Mac. You can record a Mac screen with microphone sound. If you want to capture system audio on Mac with QuickTime Player, you need to install soundflower or other similar audio capture plugins. Once you have configured with soundflower, you can record internal audio on Mac with QuickTime.

Step 1:
Download and install soundlfower for Mac first.
Step 2:
Find and open QuickTime Player. Choose New Audio Recording from the File drop-down list on the top.
Step 3:
From the down-arrow icon list, choose the internal audio recording source. Keep High in the Quality list.
Step 4:
Click the Record button to start the Mac internal audio recording process.
Record Mac Computer Audio with QuickTime

Part 3: How to Record Internal Audio on Mac with Audacity

Audacity for Mac is also a free Mac audio recorder you can use. Here you can digitalize audio recordings from other media platforms, as well as an external microphone or mixer. Moreover, you can edit audio with Audacity by trimming, merging, etc. To start with, you also need to install soundflower to record system audio on Mac with Audacity.

Step 1:
Download soundflower for Mac. Follow its wizard to complete the installation.
Step 2:
Choose System Preferences from the Apple drop-down list. Choose Sound followed by Output. Here you can set soundflower(2ch) as the primary audio source.
Step 3:
Open Audacity. Go to the Audacity preferences and set soundflower(2ch) as your recording device.
Step 4:
Click Record and use Audacity to record computer audio on Mac for free.
Step 5:
Stop recording and save the Mac audio file in MP3 format.
Record Mac Computer Audio with Audacity

Part 4: FAQs of Recording System Audio on Mac

Can you screen record with system audio on Mac?

Yes. You can record Mac screen and system audio at the same time. Just run Aiseesoft Screen Recorder for Mac. Choose Video Recorder. Set the screen capture area and system audio recording. Later, you can click REC to record the Mac screen with system audio.

How to fix macOS Big Sur doesn't record internal audio?

If you want to make soundflower "work" in Big Sur, you can install soundflower for Mac in /Library/Extensions. Restart your Mac computer. After that, you can capture system audio on Mac. Or you can use other free audio routers alternative to soundflower.

Is there any soundflower alternative?

Yes. You can replace soundflower with Blackhole, Record It Audio Device, loopback audio, and more. Later, you can record Mac computer's audio with QuickTime successfully.

Conclusion

That's all to record system audio on macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra,, etc. You can use Aiseesoft Screen Recorder to quickly record internal and external audio on Mac. Or you can install soundflower for audio routing on Mac. Later, you can run QuickTime Player, Audacity, and more to record internal computer audio on Mac.

Due to the complicated interface and few updates, it is not suggested to use soundflower for Mac internal audio recording. If you are new to Mac sound recording, it is suggested to free download Aiseesoft Screen Recorder and have a try right now.

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