--- title: "How to Record Audio on a Mac (Free Methods) | recorder.video" description: "Record your voice on a Mac with Voice Memos or QuickTime, capture the Mac’s own sound, and save an M4A or WAV. Free methods, plus a recorder in your browser." url: https://recorder.video/how-to-record-audio-on-mac --- 1. [recorder.video](https://recorder.video/) 2. How to record audio on a Mac # 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](#steps) ## 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](https://recorder.video/how-to-record-audio-on-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](https://recorder.video/record-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](https://recorder.video/how-to-screen-record-on-mac). ### 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](https://recorder.video/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](https://recorder.video/mic-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 * [ Online screen recorder Record your screen, webcam and microphone together in the browser. ](https://recorder.video/) * [ Online voice recorder Record audio from your microphone and download M4A or WebM. ](https://recorder.video/voice-recorder) * [ How to record computer audio Record a tab’s sound, Windows loopback, Stereo Mix and Mac options. ](https://recorder.video/record-computer-audio) * [ How to record video on a Mac Photo Booth, QuickTime, Continuity Camera and a browser webcam recorder. ](https://recorder.video/how-to-record-video-on-mac) * [ Microphone test Check your mic with a live level, a noise check and playback. ](https://recorder.video/mic-test)