The ability to record your screen has transformed the way professionals communicate, demonstrate, and educate. A well-crafted screen recording is fast to produce, engaging, and effective at relaying information. Whether you’re in sales or enablement, video just plain works.
But here's the catch – making a quality recording isn’t always easy.
This is why we created Sendspark: the video recording tool for sales teams. We offer filters, high-definition videos, free hosting, and everything else professionals need to produce incredible videos.
One of the latest additions to our software is our brand-new Mac client. To celebrate its release, we’ve made this blog post. In it, we cover everything you need to record outstanding videos on Mac.
We’ll cover our own software, as well as native solutions like Screenshot and QuickTime. Read on as we start with key takeaways, then immediately dive into 3 simple ways to record your screen on Mac.
There are several ways to record your Mac's screen. There are 2 built-in apps - and a suite of third-party tools, including Sendspark and its newly introduced Mac recorder.
One simple option is to use Mac’s native QuickTime Player app. You can choose to record your entire screen, a portion of your screen, or just audio. We’ll explain how to do that in a minute.
Another option is to use Mac’s Screenshot tool. This is a built-in app that can be activated using your keyboard. It lives in the Utilities folder and lets you record your whole screen - or a small portion of it.
The downside to both of these tools is that they are weak on features. They don’t let you overlay a selfie-style shot of your face. They don’t have editing features. And the files they create are pretty massive, which makes them hard to upload.
For users who need a more professional solution, especially when it comes to Sales, Sendspark is a better option. Our tool is made for sales professionals, and combines features like editing, instant uploading, free hosting, and more.
Read on below as we cover all these options - and how to use them - in detail.
QuickTime Player is a versatile tool that lets you record your screen on a Mac. Here are the steps you would need to follow:
Let's explore the pros and cons of using QuickTime for recording your screen with audio.
If you decide to use your Mac’s built-in screenshot toolbar, here are the steps you would need to follow:
Mac’s screenshot toolbar is a handy built-in tool for screen recording with audio. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of.
If you require more advanced features and editing options, you might want to explore third-party screen recording software.
Now that we’ve covered the free screen recording options available to Mac users, let’s get into what Sendspark is capable of.
Google Meet, a video conferencing service from Google, provides rudimentary screen recording features. To activate them, you must first initiate or join a meeting.
Within the meeting interface, the option to record is found by clicking on the three vertical dots on the lower right, bringing up the 'Record meeting' option. Once chosen, the recording captures both the video feed and audio, and this includes any content shared on screen during the meeting.
Integrated Ecosystem: For individuals and businesses already entrenched in the Google ecosystem, Google Meet offers seamless integration with other Google services.
Browser-based: There's no need for extra software installations, making it accessible and user-friendly as it functions directly within the browser.
Collaboration: Given its primary function as a conferencing tool, it's optimized for collaborative recordings involving multiple participants.
Limited Scope: The recording feature is tied to meetings, making it less flexible than dedicated screen recording tools. You can't simply record the screen outside the context of a meeting.
Storage Constraints: After recording, files are processed and stored in Google Drive. This not only can result in waiting periods for the recording to become available but also counts against your Drive storage limits.
No Advanced Editing: Google Meet doesn't provide in-built tools for editing, forcing users to turn to external solutions if editing is required.
Screen Recording Limitation: The tool lacks the feature to select and record specific parts of the screen. Instead, it captures the entirety of the screen or the specific window being shared, which may not always be ideal.
Zoom, a global frontrunner in video conferencing, incorporates a recording function to capture meeting interactions. To initiate a recording within Zoom, simply start a meeting and press the 'Record' button located at the bottom of the interface.
This action ensures that both the audio and video of all participants, as well as any content shared on the screen, are captured in the recording.
Ubiquity: Given Zoom's widespread adoption, many users are already familiar with its interface and functionalities.
Versatile Storage: Users have the option of saving recordings either locally on their device or on Zoom's cloud, depending on their subscription plan.
Multiple Audio Channels: If desired, Zoom can record separate audio files for each participant, making post-meeting editing or transcriptions more precise.
Automatic Transcription: In cloud recordings, Zoom provides an auto-transcription feature, helping create accessible content with captions.
Optimized for Meetings: While Zoom excels at recording meetings, it isn't tailored for standalone screen recordings, potentially making some tasks cumbersome.
File Size: Default recording settings often result in sizable files. Converting these to more standard or compressed formats may be necessary for sharing or storage.
Editing Limitations: Beyond basic trimming, Zoom lacks advanced editing features. For substantial edits, users would need to export recordings to a separate editing software.
Cloud Storage Caps: For users relying on Zoom's cloud storage, they'll find limitations based on their subscription tier, potentially necessitating additional costs or regular file management.
Screenpal stands as a dedicated tool for screen recording and video editing, offering both free and premium versions. With its simple interface, users can quickly capture screen activity, webcam footage, and audio, making it a go-to for quick tutorials or presentations.
User-friendly Interface: For novices, Screenpal provides an intuitive layout, making the process of screen recording straightforward and uncomplicated.
Web-based and Downloadable: Users can opt to record directly from their web browsers or, if preferred, download the application for a more integrated experience.
Basic Editing: The free version comes with elementary editing tools, allowing users to trim, add captions, or overlay some visual elements onto their recordings.
Duration Limit: The free version restricts recordings to 15 minutes, limiting the scope of content that can be captured in a single take.
Watermark: Videos recorded using the free version have a Screenpal watermark, which may not be suitable for professional presentations or content meant for wider distribution.
Limited Export Options: In the free version, users are confined to exporting videos only in a few select formats.
Feature Restrictions: Advanced features such as zooming, detailed editing, script recording, and drawing tools are reserved for the premium versions, making the free tool considerably less versatile for users needing comprehensive functionality.
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio is an open-source software that offers comprehensive tools for video recording and livestreaming.
As a favorite among many content creators, especially in the gaming community, OBS Studio provides functionalities that go beyond just capturing the screen.
Highly Customizable: OBS Studio gives users a vast range of customization options, allowing for multi-source recording, scene compositions, and transitions.
No Duration or Watermark Restrictions: Unlike some tools, OBS Studio does not limit recording duration or apply any watermarks, even in its free version.
Streaming Capabilities: Beyond just screen recording, OBS is optimized for live streaming, providing direct integrations with platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live.
High-Quality Recordings: OBS offers advanced settings for capturing video at high resolutions and bitrates.
Steep Learning Curve: With its myriad of features and settings, OBS Studio can be overwhelming for beginners. A fair amount of tinkering and familiarity is required to harness its full potential.
Resource Intensive: Given its robust functionalities, OBS can be demanding on system resources, potentially causing performance issues on older or less powerful systems.
No Built-in Editing Suite: While OBS Studio excels at recording and streaming, it does not provide in-built video editing tools. Users must turn to external software for post-production tasks.
Complex Setup: Achieving desired recording settings, especially for specific use-cases or outputs, often requires a more intricate setup process compared to more straightforward tools.
When recording your screen on macOS, keep these best practices in mind to achieve a clear and informative end result:
By following these best practices, you can create engaging, high-quality screen recordings on your Mac that meet your needs.
Screen recording has become indispensable for many professionals, educators, content creators, and especially for sales and customer-facing roles. Mac users are fortunate to have a variety of options at their disposal.
Built-in tools like Mac's QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar are handy for casual recordings. They offer simplicity but lack advanced features that can elevate your content's quality.
Google Meet and Zoom, while prominent in the conferencing space, have recording features as secondary options, making them less adept for detailed content creation.
This makes Sendspark a top contender, especially for professionals in sales or customer-facing roles,. It's not just a recording tool; it's a solution designed to enhance communication with prospects and clients. Beyond that, Sendspark shines in…
Branding: Personalize your content by integrating your brand's logos and colors, ensuring every recording is consistent with your corporate identity.
Collaboration: Invite team members for collaborative content creation, ensuring multiple viewpoints and expertise are showcased.
Distribution and Analytics: Share your recordings effortlessly and track viewer engagement, allowing for data-driven strategies in follow-up communications.
With Sendspark's editing features, instant uploading, and personalized video landing pages, you ensure every recording sent to a potential client or existing customer reflects the utmost professionalism and attention to detail.
To try Sendspark right now, just make a free account and get started!
To capture both screen and audio on your Mac, you can use the built-in QuickTime Player. Open QuickTime Player and select File > New Screen Recording. You will also be able to choose your audio source before recording. your audio source before recording.
The default shortcut for screen recording on a Mac is Command+Shift+5. This will bring up the screen recording toolbar, where you can choose to record the full screen, a selected area, or only a tab.
When you finish recording with QuickTime Player or the screenshot toolbar, click the Stop button. A new window with your video will now open. Click on File > Save and select the location where you want to save your recording. With QuickTime, you can select this location ahead of time.
You can use QuickTime for internal audio recording on your Mac device. It’s a built-in internal audio recorder, which means you won’t need to download any additional apps.
To eliminate background noise while recording on your Mac, use a noise-cancellation app like Krisp or Noise Gate. These apps filter out unwanted sounds in real time. You can also use a dedicated condenser microphone to capture your voice more clearly and reduce background noise.
To record YouTube videos with sound, use a screen recording tool that allows you to capture internal audio, such as Sendspark. Set up your virtual audio device, then open your chosen recording software. Next, select the virtual device as the audio source. Begin recording while playing the YouTube video to capture both video and audio.