Does audio record on screen record?
Screen recording is the process of capturing video and audio on a computer screen. Screen recorders can capture everything from mouse movements to audio from microphones or system playback. By default, most screen recording software will capture both video of what’s happening on the screen as well as any audio playing through the system or input device.
Default Settings
Most screen recorders record audio by default, so they will capture any system sounds as well as microphone audio while recording your screen. This includes the built-in screen recorders in Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. For example, according to ZDNet, Windows 10 and 11 automatically record system audio when you start a screen recording. The screen recorders in Chrome, QuickTime, and other third-party apps also typically record audio by default.
However, some screen recorders require you to manually enable audio recording. It depends on the specific app. You may need to adjust the audio settings to ensure you capture microphone input and/or system audio. But in most cases, sound should record by default with no additional configuration needed.
Windows Screen Recorder
The built-in Windows Game Bar allows screen recording with audio. To enable it, open the Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G. Then go to Settings > Captures and toggle on “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar.” Now you can start recording your screen with audio by pressing Windows key + Alt + R.
Windows Game Bar records system audio and microphone audio by default. You can control which audio sources are captured in the audio settings. One limitation is that Game Bar currently does not record audio from applications like Spotify.
There are also third-party Windows screen recorders like Camtasia and OBS Studio that readily capture audio. These give you more control over audio sources compared to Game Bar. For example, Camtasia lets you record audio from your mic, system, and select applications individually.
Mac Screen Recorder
On Mac computers, the built-in QuickTime Player application can be used to record audio along with screen recordings. By default, QuickTime Player will record any audio playing through your Mac’s speakers while capturing the screen. For example, if you play a video with audio during a screen recording, that audio will be included in the recording.
QuickTime Player also allows you to record audio from a connected microphone while screen recording. To enable microphone audio, open QuickTime Player and go to File > New Screen Recording. In the on-screen control panel, click the arrow next to the record button and make sure there is a microphone selected under “Microphone.” You can adjust the volume levels before starting the screen recording.
According to Apple Support, “To record your voice or other audio with the screen recording, choose a microphone. To monitor that audio during recording, adjust the volume using the slider.” (Source).
So in summary, QuickTime Player’s screen recording feature records all system audio by default, and also allows recording microphone input simultaneously.
Chrome Screen Recorder
Google Chrome has a built-in screen recorder that allows you to capture video and audio from your browser tabs. The Chrome Screen Recorder extension is available for free in the Chrome Web Store.
To enable audio recording in the Chrome Screen Recorder, you need to grant the extension access to your microphone. Once microphone permissions are enabled, the Chrome Screen Recorder will capture both system audio playing in the tab as well as audio input from your microphone (Chrome Screen Recorder).
The captured video will include any audio playing on the page you’re recording, such as music or narration. Your microphone audio will be recorded as a separate track that gets merged with the system audio track. This allows you to narrate or provide commentary while recording the on-page audio.
One limitation with the Chrome Screen Recorder is that you can only record audio within the Chrome browser itself. You cannot capture audio from other apps running on your computer outside of Chrome. The recorder also does not support separate audio tracks for different Chrome tabs.
Overall, the Chrome Screen Recorder provides a simple way to capture both system audio and microphone input during Chrome browser recordings. Just enable microphone access in the extension settings to start recording audio along with your on-screen videos.
Mobile Screen Recorders
On iOS and Android devices, the built-in screen recording feature allows you to capture both video and audio. On an iPhone or iPad, you can start recording your screen by opening the Control Center and tapping the Screen Record icon. This will let you choose whether to record microphone audio, system audio like music playing, or no audio at all before starting the recording. Similarly, on Android, tapping the Screen Recorder quick action in quick settings will bring up options to toggle microphone or device audio before recording. So mobile operating systems provide convenient screen recording with audio controls directly in the interface
Sources:
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/record-screen-iphone-ipad-sound-audio
Online Screen Recorders
When it comes to browser-based screen recorders, most do record audio by default. Popular options like Loom, Screencastify, and Screenity all capture audio from your microphone as you record your screen.
These online screen recorders are very convenient since you don’t need to download any software. You simply access them through your web browser, enable microphone access, and start recording your screen and voiceover.
One advantage of online screen recorders is that most give you options for enabling or disabling audio. So you can record just your screen if needed, or capture both screen and audio. This makes them versatile for different use cases.
Audio quality can vary between online screen recording tools based on the platform’s encoding settings. But overall, browser-based recorders can capture decent audio quality suitable for tutorials, lessons, presentations, and more.
Exceptions
While most screen recorders capture both video and audio by default, some allow you to toggle audio recording off. This gives users more control and flexibility when capturing their on-screen activity. ScreenApp, for example, provides options to record with or without audio. On Windows 10, the built-in Xbox Game Bar includes a setting to disable audio when using its screen recording feature. Mobile platforms like iOS also allow disabling audio within their native screen recording tools. Third-party Android apps like AZ Screen Recorder have configurable audio settings as well.
Being able to disable audio can be useful if you only need to capture video, want to avoid background noise, or wish to preserve privacy. Just be aware that excluding audio may reduce context and impact the viewer’s understanding of the video. Evaluate your specific needs to determine if recording without sound makes sense for a given project.
Audio Quality
Ensuring good audio quality in screen recordings is crucial for creating professional, polished videos. Here are some tips for capturing high-quality audio:
Use a dedicated microphone rather than relying on your computer’s built-in mic. An external USB mic or headset mic will provide much clearer audio than an internal mic. Position the mic close to your mouth so it picks up your voice clearly without background noise.
Adjust your microphone settings and levels before recording. Make sure the volume isn’t too high or too low. Do a test recording and play it back to check levels.
Record in a quiet space without background noise. Turn off any devices in the room and close windows to minimize interference.
Speak clearly and project your voice a bit. Enunciate words fully and avoid mumbling.
Use noise removal software to clean up any hums or hisses in your audio. Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor with noise reduction capabilities.
Add background music judiciously at a lower volume to avoid drowning out your voiceover. Consider fading the music in and out.
EQ your audio track to boost vital frequencies. Aim for a rich, full sound.
Compress the audio lightly for a more even volume throughout the recording.
Listen back with high-quality headphones to catch any subtle audio issues.
With proper mic technique and audio editing, your screen recordings can sound as polished as podcasts or professional videos.
Conclusion
In summary, most screen recorders do capture audio from your computer by default as it provides helpful context for videos. However, audio recording can be disabled in the settings if desired. The audio quality may vary depending on your computer’s microphone or external mic setup. While most screen recorders do capture audio, some exceptions exist such as mobile screen recording in iOS that does not record audio. Overall, audio is a useful complement to screen recordings that captures narration, computer sounds and helps explain the visual content.