User:Billw58/Recording Computer Playback Mac
Gale 08May11: I know we don't want to get too complex but I would have thought an important point was not recording system dings. For that I think we have to say that SoundFlower is preferable and say a bit more about how to use it to record the sound only from a particular app. (where an app lets you choose its output device). I take it iTunes doesn't let you choose even on Mac?
Bill 08May11: Actually, even using SoundFlower you will record system dings. AFAIK no applications on Mac allow SoundFlower to re-route their sound output. For that you need Audio Hijack Pro.
- Gale: OK. I was assuming the Soundflower blurb had some validity: "To send the output of one application to another, select Soundflower as the output device in the first application and Soundflower as the input device within the second application."
Use a loopback cable
This is a simple and effective method of recording what is playing on the computer. It has the disadvantage that the audio signal is converted from digital to analog, then from analog to digital, instead of staying in the digital domain. This may result in some slight increase in noise and distortion.
- Using a cable with a stereo mini-plug (1/8") at each end, connect the headphone output port to the line input port.
- You will now no longer have any sound coming from the computer speakers.
- Go to and select the Sound preferences panel.
- In the Sound preferences panel:
- Click on the Output tab, then select "Line Out" from the "Choose a device for sound output" list.
- Click on the Input tab, then select "Line Input" from the "Choose a device for sound input" list.
- Leaving the Sound preferences panel open, start sound audio playing on the computer (this could be from iTunes, or streaming audio, or some other source)
- Adjust the Input volume slider so that the top 3 bars of the Input level meter to not light up on the loudest passages, but the rest of the bars do light up.
- Close the System Preferences window.
Note that you still will not be able to hear what is playing on the computer until you start Audacity and turn on monitoring. This is explained in the next step.
Also note that any "system dings" will be recorded using this method. If you have iCal alerts or have turned on event sounds in Apple Mail, you may want to turn them off.
Use Soundflower
Soundflower is a free open source system add-on for Macintosh that allows you to route what is playing on the computer digitally back to the input without using a cable.
You need to set Soundflower as your default output device. In Audacity, you then set Soundflower as your input device.
- Download and install Soundflower as per the instructions on the Soundflower web site. Note the system requirements, and get the right version for your version of OS X.
- Go to and select the Sound preferences panel.
- In the Sound preferences panel:
- Click on the Output tab, then select "Soundflower (2ch)" from the "Choose a device for sound output" list.
- At this point you will no longer be able to hear what is playing on the computer. The sound output of the computer is being sent to Soundflower.
- Click on the Output tab, then select "Soundflower (2ch)" from the "Choose a device for sound output" list.
- Close the System Preferences window.
Note that any "system dings" will be recorded using this method. If you have iCal alerts or have turned on event sounds in Apple Mail, you may want to turn them off.
Audio Hijack Pro
This is a non-free program sold by Rogue Amoeba. It can "hijack" the sound output of any program and record that audio to disk in a number of formats. The advantage is that "system dings" will not be recorded. Once you have captured the audio with Audio Hijack Pro you can import the file into Audacity for editing.
