Record System Audio QuickTime: Full Guide

QuickTime Player can record system audio on a Mac, but only with a virtual audio driver installed, because macOS does not let apps capture internal sound directly. This guide explains exactly how to set that up, what to do if you hear nothing, and the built-in limitations you will hit.

Formula

The calculator works out your average pace and speed from a finish time and distance. The formulas are:

• Pace = finish time (minutes) ÷ distance (km) → result in min/km
• Speed = distance (km) ÷ (finish time ÷ 60) → result in km/h

Variables:

• t – finish time in minutes (e.g., 50)
• d – distance in kilometers (e.g., 10)

Pace tells you how long each kilometer took; speed tells you how many kilometers you covered in one hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values (50 minutes for 10 km):

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

The calculator shows 5.00 min/km and 12.00 km/h.

Why QuickTime Can’t Record System Audio by Default

QuickTime Player on macOS uses the system’s audio input devices. By default, the only input is a microphone (built-in or external). macOS does not expose “system audio� as an input device, so QuickTime has nothing to record. This is a security and privacy design choice, not a bug. Windows has a “Stereo Mix� option that does this, but macOS does not.

How to Record System Audio with QuickTime

You need a virtual audio driver that creates a new input device from your Mac’s output. The most common free option is BlackHole (open-source). Here’s the general setup:

1. Download and install BlackHole (or a similar virtual audio driver).
2. Open Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications/Utilities).
3. Create a Multi-Output Device that includes your speakers/headphones and BlackHole.
4. Set that Multi-Output Device as your system output in System Settings → Sound.
5. Open QuickTime Player → File → New Audio Recording (or New Movie Recording).
6. Click the small arrow next to the record button and choose BlackHole as the microphone/source.
7. Press record. You’ll hear sound through your speakers and QuickTime will capture it.

If you don’t want to hear the audio while recording, you can use a single BlackHole device as your output (but then you won’t hear anything).

Common Problems and Fixes

• No sound in the recording – Make sure you selected BlackHole as the input in QuickTime, and that the Multi-Output Device is set as your system output.
• No audio from speakers – If you use only BlackHole as output, you won’t hear anything. Use a Multi-Output Device.
• Volume too low or distorted – Check the input volume in Audio MIDI Setup; keep it around 70-80%.
• QuickTime doesn’t show BlackHole – Restart QuickTime or your Mac after installing the driver.
• Recording only captures microphone, not system sound – You likely didn’t set the Multi-Output Device as your system output.

Limitations of QuickTime for System Audio

• QuickTime can only record audio or video, not both from the same source easily (you can record video with the screen and audio from BlackHole, but it’s clunky).
• You cannot record system audio and microphone at the same time without extra software (like Audio Hijack).
• QuickTime does not support editing or mixing tracks.
• The virtual driver adds slight latency, but for recording it’s fine.

Alternatives to QuickTime for System Audio

If you need more control, consider these (general categories, not brand endorsements):

• OBS Studio – free, open-source, can record system audio and mic separately, with filters.
• Audacity – free audio editor, can record from BlackHole but requires setup.
• ScreenFlow – paid, but has built-in system audio capture without virtual drivers.
• Voice Memos – built-in, but only records microphone, not system audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does QuickTime record system audio on Windows?

No. QuickTime for Windows was discontinued and does not support system audio capture. On Windows, use the built-in Xbox Game Bar (Win+G) or OBS Studio.

Is BlackHole safe to install?

BlackHole is open-source and widely used, but always download from the official GitHub page to avoid malware. It’s a kernel extension, so you may need to approve it in System Settings → Privacy & Security.

Can I record system audio and microphone at the same time with QuickTime?

Not directly. You would need to create an aggregate device in Audio MIDI Setup that combines BlackHole and your microphone, then select that as the input. It works but can be finicky.

Why is my recording silent even though I followed the steps?

Check that the Multi-Output Device is set as your system output, and that QuickTime’s input is set to BlackHole (not the Multi-Output Device). Also check the input volume in Audio MIDI Setup.

Do I need to pay for a virtual audio driver?

No, BlackHole is free. There are paid options like Loopback, but they offer more features (e.g., per-app routing).

Will this work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs?

Yes, BlackHole supports Apple Silicon, but you may need to install the latest version and allow the extension in System Settings.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2