Have you ever been in a situation when you needed to record audio on your MacBook but didn't know how? Maybe you were trying to create a podcast or capture an interview, and it just didn’t come out sounding right. Show
Well, worry no more! Recording clear, high-quality audio on a MacBook or MacBook Pro is easy with the right software and a few simple tips. In this article, we'll show you:
As a bonus, we’ll add in some quality tips and tricks along the way and answer some FAQs about recording audio on a Mac. Let’s get started! How to record audio on Mac with Voice MemosVoice Memos is a built-in app on iOS devices that’s also available as a free download on the Mac. It's designed for high-quality audio recording and is straightforward to use. To record with Voice Memos:
Trim off the edges!It’s easy to perform simple edits in Voice Memos:
Adjust the playback speed
Manage your files & folders
A few final tips
How to Record audio on Mac with QuicktimeQuickTime is another piece of free Apple software installed on all Macs. It's often used for video or screen recording but can also be used to record first-class audio. To record audio on your Macbook with QuickTime:
How to Record audio on Mac with NottaUsing Notta as a digital recorderNotta is an excellent voice recorder for your MacBook. It’s easy to use, and setup takes minutes. As a bonus, your audio comes with a complete real-time transcription. It’s also available on iOS as a free download so that you can work across your Apple devices with zero friction.
Editing your audio transcriptOnce you have recorded your first transcript, you can edit it by clicking and typing directly in the text window. You can also merge sections into longer passages. To Merge transcript sections:
Marking passages & exporting audio transcriptsNotta allows you to add notes to important audio sections and access them instantly by clicking it in the sidebar. To add a note:
Notta on the web: Chrome extensionNotta’s Chrome extension allows you to capture online audio from the web seamlessly. You can record YouTube videos, online courses and much more. The Chrome extension also generates transcripts to listen to later and share. Recording browser streaming audio with Notta Chrome Extension
How to record audio on Mac with AudacityAnother excellent option for recording on the Mac is Audacity; it’s a robust professional voice recording system and, once again, a free download! After you’ve mastered the basics, there’s a bit more of a learning curve, but if you’re looking for something with more features than Voice Memos, Audacity can provide them! To begin using Audacity on your Macbook, download the .dmg file here.
Audacity’s audio recording process is simple and is made easier with its straightforward interface. Of course, many more features are available with a program as fully featured as Audacity. I’ve provided some additional links in the reference section at the end of this article. FAQsWhere are Voice Memos stored on my Mac?On macOS Catalina, Big Sur, or newer:
What is the best free audio recording software for Mac?This is a subjective question, but for simple recording with zero hassle, we recommend Voice Memos, especially for its integration across Apple devices. For more complex tasks that require mixing or multi-track, Audacity is a great place to start. How do I record audio on my Mac from YouTube?The easiest way to record audio from YouTube is to use Notta’s free Chrome extension to get clean, high-quality audio and a full video transcript! References & resources
ConclusionHopefully, you now feel more confident about recording audio on your Mac. The basics are easy to grasp, and once you’ve made a start, you can build from there. If you have a PC, you can find the detailed guide here to record audio on a PC. Don’t forget to check out Notta’s free Chrome extension. It’s a great way to record audio on the web, and having transcripts of all the tips and tricks you learn along the way is a super helpful way to remember! |