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How to record audio on a Mac

Open Voice Memos and click the red Record button; click Done when you finish. QuickTime Player records audio too, and the recorder below saves a WAV or M4A in your browser. Recording the Mac’s own sound takes one extra step.

Jump to the step-by-step guide

Online Screen Recorder

Free, no sign-up, no watermark. Pick what to record to begin.

What do you want to record?

Pick one to start.

Your browser will ask for permission. Recordings stay on this device, nothing is uploaded.

Pick what to record

Then tap the red button

Recording sound on a MacBook or iMac

Your Mac comes with two voice recorders. Voice Memos is the simplest and keeps everything in a list, synced with your iPhone through iCloud (see recording audio on an iPhone for the phone side). QuickTime Player saves each recording as a file wherever you like. Both record from the built-in microphone, a headset or a USB mic, and both save M4A.

Recording the sound your Mac plays, such as a video or a call, is a different job, because macOS doesn’t route its output back in as an input. This guide shows the built-in ways, how to capture a browser tab’s sound with no extra software, and how to get a WAV for an audio editor.

How to record audio on a Mac with Voice Memos

  1. Open Voice Memos

    Open Voice Memos from the Applications folder or press Command-Space and type Voice Memos. The first time, allow the microphone when macOS asks.

  2. Click Record

    Click the red Record button at the bottom of the sidebar. A live waveform shows your level while you speak.

  3. Pause or finish

    Click Pause to take a break and Resume to carry on. Click Done when you’ve finished; the recording appears at the top of the list.

  4. Rename and share

    Double-click the name to rename it. To get the file, drag the recording to the desktop or a folder, or use the share button. Voice Memos saves M4A audio.

Record audio with QuickTime Player

  1. Open QuickTime Player and choose File > New Audio Recording.
  2. Click the arrow next to the record button to choose the Microphone and the Quality: High, or Maximum for uncompressed sound and bigger files.
  3. Click the record button, and click it again to stop.
  4. Choose File > Save to keep the recording as a file.

Record the Mac’s internal sound

macOS has no switch for recording what comes out of the speakers. Pick the method that fits the source:

Sound playing in a browser tab

The recorder on this page can capture a tab’s sound in Chrome or Edge with no install. Choose Screen, pick the tab in the browser’s picker with Also share tab audio on, press M to mute your mic if you only want the tab, and record. Afterwards, open the arrow beside Download MP4 and choose Audio as WAV or Audio only. The guide to recording computer audio has the full steps.

Sound from any app, on macOS 27 or later

The screen recorder (Shift-Command-5) can include system audio from macOS 27: turn on Include System Audio under Options. It makes a video file, so you’d extract the sound afterwards. See the Mac screen recording guide.

Older macOS versions

A virtual audio driver, an app that adds a pretend sound device, can route the Mac’s output into a recorder. It’s more setup, and you need to switch your output back afterwards. Only record sound you have the right to keep.

Record audio in your browser and download a WAV

The online voice recorder works in Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox on a Mac. Choose Audio only and allow the microphone; a live waveform shows your level. Press Start recording, then Stop, trim the ends, and download from the arrow beside the main button: Audio only gives an M4A or WebM, and Audio as WAV gives an uncompressed WAV that every audio editor opens.

Recordings are saved in your browser as you go, so a crash doesn’t lose them, and nothing is uploaded. Voice enhancement (on by default in More > Settings) evens out your level and quietens background hiss.

Choose the right microphone and level

Open System Settings > Sound and click Input to choose the microphone your Mac uses and set its input volume. Speak normally and watch the level: it should move well into the bar without staying at the top. The microphone test shows the same thing in a browser and plays a short clip back.

AirPods and other Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower call quality while their mic is in use. For podcasts and voice-overs, a wired or USB microphone sounds noticeably better.

Troubleshooting Mac audio recordings

The recording is silent

Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and switch on the app or browser you’re using, then reopen it. Make sure the right input is selected in Sound settings.

It sounds distant or echoey

Move closer to the microphone and record in a room with soft furnishings. A MacBook’s mics are at the top edge or by the keyboard, depending on the model.

I need an MP3

Voice Memos, QuickTime and recorder.video don’t save MP3. Most sites accept M4A or WAV; if one insists on MP3, convert the file with an audio converter after downloading.

Recording questions

How do I record audio on my Mac for free?

Open Voice Memos and click the red Record button, then Done. QuickTime Player (File > New Audio Recording) and recorder.video in a browser are free too.

How do I record internal audio on a Mac?

For a browser tab, record it with recorder.video in Chrome or Edge with tab audio on. On macOS 27 or later, the screen recorder can include system audio. Older versions need a virtual audio driver.

What format does a Mac record audio in?

Voice Memos and QuickTime save M4A (AAC). recorder.video downloads M4A or WebM, or an uncompressed WAV with Audio as WAV.

Where are Voice Memos stored on a Mac?

Inside the Voice Memos app, and in iCloud if it’s switched on for Voice Memos. Drag a recording out of the list to get a file.

Can I record audio and video at the same time on a Mac?

Yes. QuickTime’s New Movie Recording and Photo Booth record both from your camera and mic, and so does recorder.video.

More audio recording guides