Want to create tutorials, gameplay videos, or presentations that showcase your Mac screen and your voice? You're in the right place! This comprehensive guide provides thorough directions on how to screen record on your Mac with your voice, covering several methods to suit your needs and technical comfort level.
Method 1: Using QuickTime Player (Built-in Solution)
QuickTime Player, pre-installed on every Mac, offers a surprisingly robust screen recording capability. This is perfect for quick recordings and doesn't require any third-party software downloads.
Steps:
- Open QuickTime Player: Find it in your Applications folder.
- Start a New Screen Recording: Go to
File > New Screen Recording. - Select Recording Options (Optional): Click the small arrow next to the record button. Here, you can choose to record the entire screen, a specific portion (great for focusing on an application), or even just a single window. You can also select whether to include microphone audio – crucially important for including your voice.
- Start Recording: Click the record button. A countdown timer appears.
- Record Your Screen & Voice: Perform the actions you want to capture. Speak clearly and concisely.
- Stop Recording: Click the Stop button in the menu bar.
- Save Your Recording: QuickTime Player will prompt you to save your recording as a .mov file. Choose a location and filename.
Pros: Simple, built-in, no extra software needed. Cons: Fewer advanced features compared to dedicated screen recorders.
Method 2: Using OBS Studio (Free and Powerful)
OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free, open-source, and incredibly powerful screen recorder and livestreaming software. It offers a far wider range of features and customization options than QuickTime Player. While initially seeming complex, it's surprisingly easy to master the basics.
Steps:
- Download and Install OBS Studio: Download it from the official OBS Studio website.
- Add a Screen Capture Source: Click the "+" button under the "Sources" section and choose "Display Capture" or "Window Capture" depending on your needs. Configure the settings as desired.
- Add an Audio Input Source: Click the "+" button again and choose "Audio Input Capture". Select your microphone from the list. Ensure your microphone volume is properly adjusted.
- Start Recording: Click the "Start Recording" button.
- Record Your Screen & Voice: Proceed with your screen recording and narration.
- Stop Recording: Click the "Stop Recording" button.
- Save Your Recording: OBS Studio will allow you to choose a file location and format for your recording.
Pros: Extremely versatile, many advanced features, free, open-source, supports multiple audio sources. Cons: Steeper learning curve than QuickTime Player.
Method 3: Using Built-in Screenshot Functionality with Voice Memos (Simple & Quick for Short Recordings)
For very short screen recordings where high quality isn't paramount, you can combine macOS's built-in screenshot functionality with Voice Memos.
Steps:
- Start Voice Memos: Begin recording your narration in Voice Memos.
- Take Screenshots: Use the Shift-Command-3 keyboard shortcut for a full-screen screenshot or Shift-Command-4 for a selection. Save screenshots incrementally.
- Combine in a Video Editor: Use iMovie (pre-installed) or another video editor to combine the screenshots and your Voice Memos recording into a video.
Pros: Easy for short clips, uses built-in tools. Cons: Not ideal for longer recordings, requires some video editing afterwards.
Choosing the Right Method for You
The best method depends on your specific needs:
- Quick and Simple: QuickTime Player
- Powerful and Feature-Rich: OBS Studio
- Short Clips with Narration: Built-in Screenshot & Voice Memos
No matter which method you choose, practice makes perfect. Experiment with each approach to find the workflow that best suits your style and project requirements. Remember to speak clearly and maintain a consistent pace for a professional-sounding screen recording.
