How to record system audio
If you need to record sounds directly from your Mac, this article describes using the free BlackHole application with OS X 10.15 Catalina.
Download
Start by downloading BlackHole.
- Visit the readme for BlackHole.
- Click the download link for the latest version (BlackHole.v0.2.6.pkg at the time of writing).
- Now you can run the downloaded .dmg file to install.
- You will initially need to allow the install to proceed by visiting System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
- You will then need to revisit System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
Multi-Output device
You can create a multi-output device that will allow you to output up to 16 channels of audio in to one output.
- Go to Applications > Utilitites > Audio MIDI Setup.
- Go to Window > Show Audio devices, if the Audio Devices doesn't load automatically.
- Click the
and choose Create Multi-Output Device.
- Make the following settings for your newly created Multi-Output Device
- Master Device: Built-in Output.
- Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
- Use: Select: Built-in Output first and then BlackHole 16ch.
- Drift Correction: Select BlackHole 16ch.
- Right-click your Multi-Output Device and select Use this device for sound output.
Record System Audio
- Open digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Logic Pro and set input device to BlackHole.
- Set track to input from channel 1-2
- Play audio from another application and monitor or record in Logic.
Route Audio Between Applications
- Set output to BlackHole in sending application
- Output audio to any channel
- Open receiving application and set input BlackHole.
Thanks for visiting,
Steven