Step-by-Step Guide to Recording Audio on Your Mac

Step 1: Recording Audio with Voice Memos

Your Mac is equipped with the Voice Memos app, a convenient tool for capturing high-quality audio recordings that you can easily share. This app also allows you to record in Lossless format to ensure optimal sound quality. As this is a fundamental application, make sure your macOS is up-to-date to prevent any issues.

Step 1: Launch the Voice Memos app on your Mac.

Step 2: If prompted, grant Microphone permission to the app to proceed.

Step 3: Hit the Record button located in the bottom-left corner to commence your recording. For the highest quality, choose a quiet environment (though not necessarily a film-like quiet) for your audio capture.

start recording voice memos mac

Create a dedicated folder for your recordings by clicking the New Folder option found in the sidebar.

add new folder voice memos mac

Afterward, select the newly created folder from the Sidebar to organize your audio recordings effectively.

Step 4: When you’ve wrapped up your audio recording, right-click on the file name to explore additional options. You can share, edit, or trim the recording as needed.

more options audio recording voice memos mac

How to Record Lossless Audio with Voice Memos on Mac

To record audio in Lossless format using the Voice Memos app on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch Voice Memos, then click on Voice Memos in the upper-left corner, and select Settings.

settings voice memos mac

Step 2: Under Audio Quality, choose the Lossless option.

select lossless audio quality voice memos mac

You may also activate the Location-based Naming feature for your recordings if desired.

Step 2: Recording Audio with QuickTime Player

Another built-in application for audio recording on your Mac is QuickTime Player. If you’ve neglected this tool in favor of other software like VLC, it’s time to give it a fresh look. QuickTime Player can record not just audio but also your screen. In our experience, we found it produced slightly superior audio quality when paired with a USB microphone compared to Voice Memos.

Follow these instructions to record audio using QuickTime Player:

Step 1: Open QuickTime Player, then right-click the application icon in the Dock and select New Audio Recording.

new audio recording quicktime player mac

Step 2: Click the Record button to begin your recording. You can also click the dropdown menu to select the microphone you want to use. By default, your Mac’s built-in mic is pre-selected.

start audio recording quicktime player mac

Step 3: After recording, simply stop the process and close the recording window.

Step 4: Enter a file name for your recording, choose the location for saving it, and click Save.

save audio recording quicktime player mac

You have the option to delete the file and redo the recording if you’re not satisfied with the first try.

Step 3: Recording Audio with GarageBand

The next built-in application is GarageBand, a classic tool that has evolved with updates. Here’s how you can utilize GarageBand to record and store your audio files.

Step 1: Open GarageBand, select Empty Project, and then click Choose.

choose empty project garageband mac

Step 2: Choose either Mic or Line and click on Create.

mic or line garageband mac

Step 3: Select Input at the bottom and then pick your preferred input microphone.

select input garageband mac

You can click the Circle icon adjacent to Input to toggle between mono and stereo recording; a single circle indicates mono, while two circles indicate stereo.

switch between mono and stereo garageband mac

If using headphones, activate the Monitoring option to hear your voice while recording.

monitoring garageband mac

Step 4: Turn off the Metronome options to avoid unwanted beats in the background.

turn off metronome garageband mac

You can also opt to display Time instead by choosing it from the dropdown menu at the top.

choose time recording display garageband mac

Step 5: When your microphone levels are visible, click the Record button to initiate recording.

press record garageband mac

Step 6: After completing the recording, click the Pause button to stop the recording process.

pause audio recording garageband mac

Step 7: Select the Share option in the top Menu Bar, then choose Export Song to Disk.

export song to disk garageband mac

Step 8: Input a file name, select the desired audio format, and then hit Export to save your audio file.

Source

Images Credits: Guidingtech.com

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