Tutorial 01.03.2025

Mac Screen Recorder with System Audio & Mic: Alternatives to OBS

Recording your Mac screen with both system audio and microphone should be simple. But macOS makes this surprisingly difficult.

Recording your Mac screen with both system audio (desktop sound) and microphone input should be simple. But macOS makes this surprisingly difficult.

The challenge: macOS doesn’t allow apps to capture system audio directly for security reasons. Most screen recorders can only capture your microphone, not the sound coming from your computer .

The common solution: OBS Studio with virtual audio drivers. It works, but requires 30+ minutes of technical setup that confuses most users.

The question: Are there simpler alternatives for Mac users who just want to record screen + system audio + mic without becoming audio engineers?

Why System Audio Capture Is Hard on Mac

macOS Security Restrictions

macOS blocks apps from capturing desktop audio by default. This protects your privacy. Malicious software can’t secretly record everything you hear.

The problem: Legitimate screen recorders also can’t access system audio.

Other operating systems:

This means Mac-specific solutions are necessary.

What Is System Audio?

System audio (also called desktop audio or computer audio) is the sound output from your Mac:

For tutorial creators, this is essential. You need to capture both your voice (mic) and the app’s sound (system audio).

The OBS Studio Approach (And Why It’s Complicated)

OBS Studio is the industry standard for recording and streaming. It’s powerful, free, and works on Mac. But setup is complex.

What You Need to Install

1. OBS Studio Download from obsproject.com (free)

2. Virtual Audio Driver Choose one:

3. Configure macOS Audio Use Audio MIDI Setup to create an aggregate device

Setup Process (30-45 Minutes)

Step 1: Install BlackHole

brew install blackhole-2ch

Step 2: Create Aggregate Device

  1. Open Applications → Utilities → Audio MIDI Setup
  2. Click ”+” and select “Create Aggregate Device”
  3. Check both “BlackHole 2ch” and your output device (Built-in Output or headphones)
  4. Name it “OBS Audio”

Step 3: Create Multi-Output Device

  1. Click ”+” and select “Create Multi-Output Device”
  2. Check “BlackHole 2ch” and your output device
  3. This lets you hear audio while recording

Step 4: Configure macOS System Output

  1. Go to System Settings → Sound → Output
  2. Select your Multi-Output Device
  3. Now system audio routes to both speakers and BlackHole

Step 5: Configure OBS

  1. Open OBS Studio
  2. Settings → Audio
  3. Set Mic/Auxiliary Audio to your microphone
  4. Set Desktop Audio to “BlackHole 2ch”
  5. Add Display Capture source for screen
  6. Set up recording settings (format, quality, bitrate)

Step 6: Test and Troubleshoot

Common Problems

No audio in OBS

Can’t hear audio while recording

Audio out of sync

Settings reset after macOS update

Why This Is Too Complex

For technical users: OBS is worth learning. The flexibility is valuable for streaming and advanced use cases.

For most people: This is overwhelming. You just want to record a tutorial or meeting, not become an audio engineer.

The setup process alone is enough to make people give up or look for alternatives.

Simpler Alternatives to OBS

Option 1: QuickTime Player (Built-In, Limited)

What it does:

What it doesn’t do:

How to use:

  1. Open QuickTime Player
  2. File → New Screen Recording
  3. Click arrow next to record button
  4. Choose microphone
  5. Click record and select screen area
  6. Stop when done

Best for: Simple screen recordings where you only need your voice, not computer audio.

Not suitable for: Recording meetings, software demos with audio, or tutorials where app sound matters.

Option 2: ScreenFlow (Paid, User-Friendly)

ScreenFlow is a Mac-native screen recorder with built-in system audio support.

Features:

Pricing:

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Professional content creators who also need editing capability.

Option 3: Loom (Cloud-Based, No System Audio)

Loom is popular for quick video messages.

Features:

Limitations:

Best for: Quick video messages where you only need your voice, not computer audio.

Not suitable for: Recording calls, meetings, or any content where desktop audio matters.

Option 4: Capsulo One (Simple, Privacy-Focused)

Features:

Setup:

  1. Download and install
  2. Grant screen recording permission (macOS prompt)
  3. Grant audio permissions
  4. Click record

No aggregate devices, no virtual audio routing, no 30-minute setup.

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Professionals who record meetings, tutorials, or demos regularly and need transcription.

Feature Comparison

FeatureOBS StudioQuickTimeScreenFlowLoomCapsulo One
System Audio✓ (complex setup)✗✓ (built-in)✗✓ (built-in)
Microphone✓✓✓✓✓
Setup Time30-45 min< 1 min5 min< 1 min< 5 min
PriceFreeFree$169$12.50/mo$50 once
Transcription✗✗✗✓ (cloud)✓ (local)
StorageLocalLocalLocalCloudLocal
Live Streaming✓✗✗✗✗
Video Editing✗✗✓✗✗

The Bottom Line

Recording Mac screen with system audio should be simple, but macOS restrictions make it complicated.

Your options:

Free but complex: OBS + BlackHole (30+ min setup, requires technical knowledge)

Expensive all-in-one: ScreenFlow ($169, includes editing)

Simple paid option: Capsulo One ($50, includes transcription)

If you don’t need system audio: QuickTime (free, built-in)

For most professionals who record meetings or tutorials: Capsulo One offers the best balance of simplicity, capability, and cost. System audio works immediately, transcription is built-in, and everything stays local.

For content creators who also need editing: ScreenFlow is worth the investment if you do regular tutorial creation.

For technical users or streamers: OBS is unbeatable if you’re willing to learn it. The flexibility pays off long-term.

Choose based on:

Buy for Mac

$50 • macOS 13+