How To Record Internal Audio On Mac Free (2025)

Struggling to record internal audio on your Mac? You’re not alone. Many Mac users report difficulties capturing system sounds for podcasts or online meetings on their Macs. Unlike PCs, macOS restricts direct system audio recording – but don’t let that stop you!

This ultimate guide reveals 4 proven methods to record computer audio on any Mac model, including M1/M2/M3-based Macs.

Key Takeaways:

macOS restricts direct system audio recording by default. To bypass this limitation without installing virtual drivers, use EaseUS RecExperts — a dedicated Mac screen recorder with audio that captures system sounds natively while supporting simultaneous screen recording.
If you prefer a free, open-source solution and have a bit more time, you can install a virtual audio driver like Soundflower or BlackHole. Once installed, you can record system sound using tools like QuickTime Player, Audacity, or OBS Studio for a more customizable recording experience.

Method 1. Directly Capture Internal Audio on Mac (1-Click)

Best for: One-click and high-quality recording (no drivers needed)

If you’re looking for the best way to screen record on Mac with internal audio on a Mac, EaseUS RecExperts is a powerful and user-friendly solution. Since macOS doesn’t natively support desktop sound recording, this Mac sound recorder simplifies the process with a built-in virtual sound card, allowing you to capture computer audio without extra plugins like Soundflower.

Whether you need to record YouTube audio, streaming music, gameplay sound, or online meetings, this tool delivers high-quality, lossless recordings in formats like MP3, AAC, and WAV. It also includes built-in editing tools to trim and enhance your audio before exporting.

Plus, with its scheduled recording feature, you can automatically capture live streams, podcasts, or lectures without manual intervention. For anyone needing a hassle-free Mac internal audio recorder, EaseUS RecExperts is a top choice for professionals and casual users alike.

Step 1. Install and launch this Mac audio recorder, and choose the “Audio” option on the main interface.

Step 2. Next, find and click the Sound button on the lower left to select your audio recording source. Here, click System sound and adjust the volume based on your needs.

Step 3. For advanced recording, click Settings and go to the Audio tab. Here, you can set the output audio format, bitrate, sampling rate, etc.

Step 4. Then, play the music you want to capture on your macOS device. and when you are ready, click REC to start recording. Once done, the audio file will be saved on the Recordings.

Method 2. Record Mac’s Desktop Audio via QuickTime Player & BlackHole (Free)

Best for: Free basic audio recording

For those looking for a quick and easy way to capture desktop sound on Mac, the combination of QuickTime Player and BlackHole is an excellent choice. Since macOS does not allow direct system sound recording, BlackHole acts as a virtual audio driver to route the computer’s internal sound into QuickTime.

This method is 100% free and requires minimal setup, making it perfect for beginners who need a simple fix. However, it lacks advanced features like multi-track mixing, noise reduction, and audio driver settings. If you need a lightweight way to capture Mac’s system sound without extra editing, this method is ideal.

Step 1. Download and install the BlackHole Virtual Audio Driver

Go to the official website and choose the “BlackHole 2ch” version to download, and you will get a .pkg file.
Open the file and follow the installation instructions. After installation, it will be available in Mac’s Sound Settings as an audio device.

Step 2. Set BlackHole as Mac’s Audio Output

Open System Settings > Go to Sound > Select the Output tab.
Choose BlackHole 2ch as the output device.

Step 3. Create a Multi-Output Device (Optional: Listen While Recording)

Open “Audio MIDI Setup” (search in Spotlight or Launchpad).
Click “+” in the bottom left corner and select “Create Multi-Output Device”.
In the right panel, check both “BlackHole 2ch” and “Built-in Output” (or headphones).
Set BlackHole 2ch as the primary device, and enable Drift Correction for the speakers or headphones.
Go back to System Settings > Sound > Output and select the newly created “Multi-Output Device”.

Step 4. Start recording system sound on Mac with QuickTime Player

Open QuickTime, click File > New Audio Recording
In the recording window, click the small arrow next to the record button and select BlackHole 2ch as the audio input source.
Then, click the red record button to begin recording

Method 3. Record the Sound Coming for Mac with Audacity & Soundflower (Pro Editing)

Best for: Advanced audio recording and editing

Note: Soundflower is only compatible with macOS versions up to macOS Catalina (10.15).

For users who want more control over their Mac’s internal audio, Audacity with Soundflower provides a feature-rich and free solution.

Audacity is a powerful audio recording and editing tool that supports multi-track mixing, noise reduction processing, and volume adjustments. By configuring Soundflower in the audio driver settings, you can record system sound without loss and fine-tune it with Audacity’s built-in tools.

This method is perfect for podcasters, musicians, and professional audio editors who need precise control over their recordings.

However, since Audacity is designed for audio-only recording, it does not support screen capture, making it less suitable for users who need video recordings.

Step 1. Download and install Soundflower and Audacity on your Mac or Macbook.

Step 2. Set Soundflower as the audio output.

Open System Settings > Go to Sound > Select the Output tab.
Then, choose Soundflower (2ch) as the output device.

Step 3. Configure Audacity to record system sound on Mac

Select Core Audio from the Audio Host dropdown, and choose Soundflower (2ch) from the Recording Device dropdown.
Once done, you can hit the red button to play the desktop audio you want to capture on your Mac.

Method 4. Record Mac’s System Sound via OBS Studio (Multitasking)

Best for: Capturing Mac’s system sound while screen recording

If you are someone who wants to record internal audio on a Macbook while screen recording, like recording FaceTime video call with audio, OBS Studio is your destination

OBS Studio is another solution to help you capture your Mac’s system audio. It is a professional screen and audio recorder, and allows you to record internal audio while screen recording. Besides, it supports multi-track audio recording, mixing record audio, microphone input, and background music in real-time. With built-in noise reduction processing and extensive customization options, it’s a powerful tool for professional use.

However, OBS Studio requires more system resources and has a steeper learning curve, making it best suited for users who need advanced screen and audio recording capabilities on Mac.

Note: Since macOS does not allow direct internal audio capture, you need BlackHole or Soundflower to route the system audio into OBS Studio.

Step 1. Launch your OBS Studio, click Settings > Audio > Global Audio Devices > Desktop Audio. Next, choose BlackHole 2ch or Soundflower 2ch.

Step 2. Go back to the main interface, click “+” under Sources > Select “Audio Input Capture” > Click OK, then choose BlackHole 2ch or BlackHole 2ch as the device.

Step 3. Play the audio that you want to record from your Mac, and click Start Recording to begin your process.

Note: When using OBS Studio 30 on macOS 13 (Ventura) and higher, you can use the new macOS Audio Capture Source. You can choose to capture all desktop audio or just a certain application.

Final Words

In conclusion, recording internal audio on a Mac can be easily achieved through various reliable methods. From the simplicity of EaseUS RecExperts to the built-in QuickTime Player and the open-source flexibility of Audacity and OBS.

Each solution offers its unique advantages. By selecting the tool that best fits your needs and preferences, you can enjoy seamless and professional internal audio recording on your Mac.

How to Record System Audio on Mac FAQs

1.Why can’t my Mac record internal audio by default?

macOS does not natively support internal audio recording due to system restrictions designed to protect user privacy and security. Unlike Windows, which allows direct system sound capture, macOS blocks applications from accessing internal audio without additional tools. To record system sound, you need a virtual audio driver.

2.Does Mac have a built-in voice recorder?

Yes. Mac provides a built-in voice recorder called Voice Memos. It lets users capture external sound using the built-in microphone or an external audio input device.

3.Can you record external audio on a Mac?

Of course. You can use the built-in or external mic to record external audio on Mac easily with the built-in voice recorder, like Voice Memos, QuickTime Player, and GarageBand. Also, you can use a USB or XLR microphone for high-quality recordings.

4.Can GarageBand record internal audio?

By default, it cannot record internal audio, as it is designed to capture external audio through a microphone. If you insist on capturing system audio with GarageBand, you need to prepare a virtual audio driver like BlackHole or Soundflower.

5.What are the best settings for high-quality internal audio recording on Mac?

Here are some specific parameters you can refer to:

Bitrate: 320kbps
Sample Rate: Stick to 44.1kHz or 48kHz, the standard for most devices.
Audio Format: Record audio in WAV, AIFF, or AAC.