UPDATED: How To Screen Record With COMPUTER AUDIO On Mac (FREE) - Macbook Tutorial | OBS Studio
Learn how to record your Mac screen and internal computer audio for free using OBS Studio. Follow this complete step-by-step guide for macOS Ventura or newer.
Key Takeaways
If you want to record your Mac screen along with its internal computer audio, and include your microphone and webcam, you can do it entirely for free. Using OBS Studio, you can set up a professional-grade screen recording environment on your MacBook in just a few minutes.
Note: This guide is specifically for Macs running macOS 13 Ventura (2022) or newer (including Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe, etc.). If you are running macOS 12 Monterey or older, please refer to this Older Mac Screen Recording Tutorial.
Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to setting up your Mac for screen recording with internal audio.
Step 1: Download OBS Studio and Grant Permissions
The first thing you need is the recording software. is completely free, open-source, and considered the industry standard for content creators.
FAQ
Can I record internal computer audio on older macOS versions?
Yes, but not natively. The standard OBS Studio setup for capturing internal desktop audio only works out-of-the-box on macOS 13 Ventura or newer. If you are using macOS 12 Monterey or older, you will need to use a special audio routing workaround. You can learn how to set this up in our older Mac screen recording tutorial.
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Use OBS Studio to easily capture your Mac screen, internal computer audio, webcam, and microphone entirely for free.
This native internal audio setup requires macOS 13 Ventura or newer; if you are running macOS 12 Monterey or older, you will need to follow this older Mac workaround tutorial.
Configure your Output Settings to use MP4 format and H.264 encoding to guarantee high-quality video that works with almost all editing software.
Map custom keyboard hotkeys (like F10) to start and stop recordings to eliminate the need to trim the beginning and end of your videos.
Add a macOS Screen Capture source, then right-click the preview and select Resize output (source size) to perfectly fit your display to the video frame.
Monitor the Audio Mixer before recording to ensure your microphone levels stay below 0 dB (out of the red) to prevent distorted, clipping audio.
Upon opening, you will be prompted to give OBS Studio permission to record on your Mac. Go through the system settings and grant all necessary screen and audio recording permissions.
Close and reopen OBS Studio.
Tip: If you ever need to review these permissions later, you can access the dialogue from the top menu by selecting OBS > Review App Permissions.
Step 2: Configure Output, Audio, and Hotkey Settings
Before you start capturing your screen, it is highly recommended to configure your basic settings so your final video file looks and sounds great. Open Settings in OBS Studio.
Output Settings
Navigate to the Output tab and configure the following options:
Setting
Recommended Option
Why It Matters
Recording Path
Desktop (or a specific folder)
Tells OBS exactly where to save your final video files so you never lose them.
Recording Quality
High Quality
Ensures a crisp, clear video playback.
Recording Format
MP4
The most universal video format, supported by almost all editing software and platforms.
Video Encoder
H.264 (Hardware)
A universal rendering format. Note: If H.264 is unavailable, choose the Software option.
Audio Settings
Next, navigate to the Audio tab. Here, you can configure your external microphone. If you have multiple microphones connected to your Mac, use the dropdown menus to specify exactly which mic you want OBS to record.
Hotkey Settings
Go to the Hotkeys tab to create keyboard shortcuts. Setting a shortcut for Start Recording and Stop Recording makes the process seamless, preventing you from having to trim out the beginning and end of your videos later. You can choose any key, but F10 is a great option. Click OK to save your settings.
Step 3: Add Your Video Sources
By default, OBS opens with a blank scene. You need to tell the software what to look at.
Add a macOS Screen Capture
Look at the Sources panel at the bottom of the screen and click the + (Plus) icon.
Select macOS Screen Capture and click OK.
Under the Method dropdown, choose whether you want to capture your whole display, a specific window, or a specific application. (Display Capture is recommended).
Select the specific monitor you want to record and click OK.
Resize Output Source Size
To ensure your screen fits perfectly in the recording window:
Right-click the video preview in the center of the screen.
Click Resize output (source size).
Click Yes. Your screen should now perfectly fill the recording window.
Add a Webcam (Optional)
If you want to include a facecam in your recording:
Click the + (Plus) icon under Sources.
Select Video Capture Device and click OK.
Choose your webcam from the device list and click OK.
You can click and drag the corners of your webcam feed to resize it and move it to any corner of the screen.
Step 4: Finalize Video Resolution
Open Settings one more time and navigate to the Video tab. This dictates the final output resolution of your saved file.
For HD: Choose 1920x1080. This is perfectly fine for most users and keeps file sizes manageable.
For 4K: Choose 3840x2160 (if your monitor supports it). Just be aware that 4K files will be roughly four times larger than standard HD files.
Make your selection and click OK.
Step 5: Check and Mix Your Audio Levels
Before hitting record, check the Audio Mixer panel to ensure your levels are balanced:
Internal Computer Audio (Desktop Audio): If you are recording a video, game, or music from your computer while speaking, you might want to slide the desktop audio volume down slightly so it doesn't drown out your voice.
Microphone Audio: Speak into your mic at a normal volume and watch the audio meter. Ensure your audio is not pushing into the red zone. If it exceeds 0 dB, your audio will clip, resulting in distortion and poor sound quality. Slide your mic volume down if it is hitting the red.
Step 6: Start Recording
With everything configured, you are ready to record. Press the Start Recording button in the OBS interface, or simply press the hotkey you set up earlier (e.g., F10).
Everything on your screen, alongside the internal computer audio and your microphone, will now be captured simultaneously. When you are finished, press your hotkey again or click Stop Recording.
Navigate to your chosen Recording Path (like your Desktop), and double-click the MP4 file to view your completed, fully synced screen recording.
Are you running an older Mac?
If your Mac is running macOS 12 Monterey or older, OBS Studio cannot capture internal computer audio natively. Fortunately, there is a workaround. Check out this Older Mac Screen Recording Tutorial for a step-by-step guide on how to route your audio properly on older hardware.
What is the best video format for saving OBS recordings on a Mac?
For the highest quality and best compatibility across editing software and video platforms, it is highly recommended to set your Recording Format to MP4 and your Video Encoder to H.264 (Hardware) in your OBS Output settings. If H.264 hardware encoding is unavailable on your machine, you can select the Software option instead.
How do I prevent my microphone audio from sounding distorted?
To avoid distortion, you must monitor your levels in the OBS Audio Mixer before you start recording. Speak into your microphone and ensure the audio meter does not push into the red zone or exceed 0 dB. If it hits 0 dB, your audio will "clip" and sound distorted. Simply drag the volume slider down until the meter stays in the green and yellow zones.
Will OBS Studio place a watermark on my Mac screen recording?
No. OBS Studio is completely free and open-source. It will not put any watermarks on your videos, nor does it restrict your recording time, which is why it is considered the industry standard for professional content creators.
Why is my OBS screen completely black when I try to record my Mac display?
This almost always happens because OBS Studio lacks the necessary Apple system permissions to capture your screen. When you first install OBS on a Mac, you must grant it screen recording and microphone access in your System Settings. If you missed this step or denied it by accident, you can open the prompt again by clicking OBS > Review App Permissions in your top menu bar.
