How to Record Internal Audio on Mac — Complete Guide
Recording internal audio on Mac — system sounds, app audio, browser music, Discord calls — is one of the most frustrating tasks in macOS. Apple intentionally blocks internal audio capture for privacy reasons. This guide covers every workaround, from free open-source drivers to one-click solutions.
TL;DR: Internal Audio Recording on Mac
- ✓The Problem — macOS does not capture internal audio (system sounds, music, app audio) by default. Only microphone input is recorded.
- ✓Method 1: Cmd+Shift+5 — Built-in macOS recorder. Microphone only — no internal audio without a workaround.
- ✓Method 2: BlackHole — Free open-source virtual audio driver. Routes internal audio to a virtual input. Requires manual setup in Audio MIDI Setup.
- ✓Method 3: ScreenBuddy — Captures system audio natively without virtual drivers. One-click setup. Includes editor with zoom effects, backgrounds, MP4 export.
- ✓Quickest Fix — Install ScreenBuddy for instant internal audio capture — no Audio MIDI Setup, no kernel extensions, no restarts.
- ✓Also Works — Loopback ($99 paid), OBS Studio (free but complex), SoundFlower (deprecated, not recommended for modern macOS).
1. Why macOS Blocks Internal Audio Recording
Apple designed macOS to prevent apps from capturing internal audio by default. This is a deliberate privacy and security decision. If any app could silently record system audio, it could capture private conversations from FaceTime, sensitive audio from banking apps, or DRM-protected content from streaming services.
The built-in macOS screen recorder (Cmd+Shift+5) only offers microphone input as an audio source. There is no "System Audio" or "Internal Audio" option in the dropdown. This applies to QuickTime Player's recording feature as well.
To record internal audio on Mac, you need one of two things: a virtual audio driver that intercepts the audio output stream and routes it to a virtual input, or an app that uses a different capture mechanism (like the browser's screen sharing API) to access system audio directly.
Key distinction: "Internal audio" means sounds produced by your Mac — music from Spotify, audio from YouTube, game sounds, notification sounds, Discord calls. "Microphone audio" means sound captured by your physical mic (your voice, room noise). Most people want both.
2. Method 1: macOS Cmd+Shift+5 (Microphone Only)
The built-in macOS screen recorder is the simplest recording tool, but it has a critical limitation for internal audio capture. Here is what it can and cannot do:
Step-by-Step
Press Cmd+Shift+5
The Screenshot toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with recording and screenshot options.
Choose Recording Mode
Click "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion". Either mode works, but neither captures internal audio by default.
Click Options
Open the Options menu and look under "Microphone". You will see your physical microphone listed — but no "System Audio" or "Internal Audio" option.
Select Your Microphone
Choose your built-in microphone or an external USB microphone. This captures your voice, but not system sounds, music, or app audio.
Record and Save
Click "Record" to start. The recording saves as a MOV file with only microphone audio. Internal audio is not captured.
Bottom line: Cmd+Shift+5 is useful for recording your screen with voice narration, but it cannot capture internal audio. If you need to record music, game audio, meeting participants, or any system sound, you need one of the methods below.
3. Method 2: BlackHole Virtual Audio Driver
BlackHole is a free, open-source virtual audio driver that creates a "loopback" device on your Mac. It intercepts internal audio and routes it to a virtual input that recording apps can capture. It is the most popular free solution, but requires manual configuration in Audio MIDI Setup.
Installation
Download BlackHole
Go to github.com/ExistentialAudio/BlackHole and download the latest release. Choose BlackHole 2ch (stereo) for most use cases, or BlackHole 16ch if you need multi-channel routing.
Install the Driver
Run the installer package. macOS may ask you to approve the kernel extension in System Settings > Privacy & Security. You may need to restart your Mac after installation.
Verify Installation
Open Audio MIDI Setup (search in Spotlight). You should see "BlackHole 2ch" listed as an audio device. If it does not appear, try restarting your Mac.
Configuration: Multi-Output Device
The key step is creating a Multi-Output Device so audio goes to both your speakers and BlackHole simultaneously:
Open Audio MIDI Setup
Search for "Audio MIDI Setup" in Spotlight (Cmd+Space) or find it in Applications > Utilities.
Create Multi-Output Device
Click the "+" button in the bottom-left corner. Choose "Create Multi-Output Device". A new device appears in the sidebar.
Add Audio Devices
Check the boxes for your built-in speakers (or headphones) AND BlackHole 2ch. Make sure "Built-in Output" is checked first — this is your primary audio output.
Set as System Output
Right-click the Multi-Output Device and select "Use This Device for Sound Output". Now your Mac sends audio to both your speakers and BlackHole.
Select BlackHole as Recording Input
In your recording app (QuickTime, Cmd+Shift+5 Options, OBS), select "BlackHole 2ch" as the microphone/input source. This captures the internal audio routed through BlackHole.
Recording Mic + System Audio Together
If you want both your microphone and internal audio in the same recording, you need to create an Aggregate Device that combines your mic and BlackHole. In Audio MIDI Setup, click "+" and choose "Create Aggregate Device". Check both your microphone and BlackHole 2ch. Use this aggregate device as your input source. This is complex but gives you full control over audio routing.
Paid alternative: Loopback by Rogue Amoeba ($99) offers a visual interface for audio routing without the manual Audio MIDI Setup configuration. It is the most user-friendly virtual audio driver, but significantly more expensive than BlackHole (free).
4. Method 3: ScreenBuddy (No Drivers Needed)
ScreenBuddy takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of installing virtual audio drivers and configuring Audio MIDI Setup, ScreenBuddy uses the browser's screen sharing API to capture system audio natively. This means you get internal audio recording with zero setup — just open the app and click Record.
Step-by-Step
Open ScreenBuddy
Launch ScreenBuddy on your Mac. No Audio MIDI Setup, no kernel extensions, no restarts required.
Click Record
Choose your screen or window to capture. ScreenBuddy automatically captures system audio along with your screen. Your microphone is also captured simultaneously.
Play Your Audio Source
Start Spotify, open a YouTube video, join a Discord call, or play any app that produces sound. ScreenBuddy captures it all in real time.
Stop and Edit
Stop the recording and open it in ScreenBuddy's built-in editor. Trim silence, add auto-zoom effects on clicks, apply gradient backgrounds, and add annotations.
Export as MP4
Export your recording as an optimized MP4 with both internal audio and microphone audio embedded. Ready for sharing on any platform.
Why ScreenBuddy for Internal Audio
- ✓No virtual audio drivers — no BlackHole, no Loopback, no SoundFlower
- ✓No Audio MIDI Setup configuration — zero terminal commands
- ✓Captures system audio + microphone simultaneously by default
- ✓Works with every app: Spotify, Discord, YouTube, Zoom, games
- ✓Built-in editor with auto-zoom effects, backgrounds, and annotations
- ✓Direct MP4 export — no MOV conversion needed
5. Comparison: Built-in vs BlackHole vs ScreenBuddy
| Feature | macOS Cmd+Shift+5 | BlackHole | ScreenBuddy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal audio capture | No | Yes (with setup) | Yes (native) |
| Microphone capture | Yes | Yes (aggregate device) | Yes (automatic) |
| Setup complexity | None | High (Audio MIDI Setup) | None |
| Requires driver install | No | Yes | No |
| Requires restart | No | Sometimes | No |
| Output format | MOV | Depends on recorder | MP4 / GIF |
| Built-in editor | No | No | Yes |
| Zoom effects | No | No | Yes (1.25x-5x) |
| Backgrounds | No | No | Yes (18 gradients) |
| Price | Free | Free | $9.99 one-time |
6. Troubleshooting Common Audio Issues
Even with the right setup, audio problems are common when recording on Mac. Here are the most frequent issues and how to fix them:
No Audio in Recording
This is the most common issue. If using Cmd+Shift+5, check that your microphone is selected in Options — not set to "None". If using BlackHole, verify that your Multi-Output Device is set as the system output in System Settings > Sound > Output. If neither device is selected, your recording will be silent.
Audio Out of Sync with Video
Audio drift usually happens when your Mac is under heavy load. Close unnecessary apps to free up CPU and RAM. If using BlackHole, make sure both devices in the Multi-Output Device use the same sample rate (44100 Hz or 48000 Hz). Mismatched sample rates cause progressive audio drift over time.
Low Volume in Recording
If internal audio sounds quiet, check your Mac's system volume — it directly affects what BlackHole captures. Also check that the "Master" volume in Audio MIDI Setup for BlackHole is at maximum. For ScreenBuddy, system volume controls the recording volume. Turn it up before recording.
Echo or Feedback Loop
This happens when your microphone picks up audio from your speakers, which is then routed back through the recording. Use headphones to eliminate the feedback loop. If using BlackHole with an Aggregate Device, make sure your speaker output is not also being captured as input.
BlackHole Not Appearing After Install
Restart your Mac after installing BlackHole. On macOS Ventura and later, you may need to approve the system extension in System Settings > Privacy & Security. Check the "Allow" button next to the BlackHole notification. If it still does not appear, try reinstalling BlackHole.
No Sound from Speakers After Setting Up BlackHole
If you set BlackHole as your output device instead of the Multi-Output Device, audio routes only to BlackHole (for recording) and not to your speakers. Always use the Multi-Output Device as your system output — it sends audio to both speakers and BlackHole simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mac screen recording capture internal audio?
No. The built-in macOS screen recorder (Cmd+Shift+5) only captures microphone input. It does not record internal audio such as system sounds, music, browser audio, or app audio. This is a deliberate privacy and security design choice by Apple. To capture internal audio, you need a virtual audio driver like BlackHole or an app like ScreenBuddy.
What is BlackHole and how does it work?
BlackHole is a free, open-source virtual audio driver for macOS. It creates a virtual audio device that routes your Mac's internal audio output to a virtual input, which recording apps can capture. You install it, create a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup to send audio to both your speakers and BlackHole, then select BlackHole as your microphone input in your recording app.
Can ScreenBuddy record Discord and Spotify audio?
Yes. ScreenBuddy captures system audio natively using the browser's screen sharing API, which includes audio from Discord, Spotify, YouTube, and any other app producing sound on your Mac. No virtual audio drivers or complex setup required — just click Record and ScreenBuddy captures everything.
How do I record microphone and system audio at the same time?
With BlackHole, create an Aggregate Device in Audio MIDI Setup that combines your microphone and BlackHole. Select this aggregate device as your input. With ScreenBuddy, both microphone and system audio are captured simultaneously by default — no extra configuration needed.
What is the best audio format for screen recordings?
For screen recordings, AAC audio embedded in an MP4 container is the standard. It offers excellent quality at small file sizes and is universally compatible. macOS Cmd+Shift+5 saves audio as part of a MOV file. ScreenBuddy exports MP4 with AAC audio, optimized for web sharing and playback across all devices.
Why is there no audio in my Mac screen recording?
The most common reason is that macOS Cmd+Shift+5 does not capture internal audio by default — it only records your microphone. If your microphone is set to "None" in the Options menu, you will get a silent recording. To capture internal audio, use BlackHole as a virtual audio driver or use ScreenBuddy, which captures system audio natively.
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Record Internal Audio Without the Hassle
ScreenBuddy captures system audio natively — no BlackHole, no Audio MIDI Setup, no kernel extensions. Record, edit with zoom effects and backgrounds, and export polished MP4s. $9.99 one-time.