# Record Audio — Record audio on Mac

Capture a voice memo or narration from any microphone. Part of OneMacTools, 151 private tools in one native Mac app (macOS 26 or later); category: Audio. Runs on your Mac; nothing is uploaded.

Press Record (or Space), watch the live level meter, and stop to save. Recordings are saved as M4A or WAV straight into your OneMacTools folder.

Page: https://www.onemactools.com/tools/record-audio · Download: https://www.onemactools.com/download · Pricing: https://www.onemactools.com/pricing

## How to use it
1. **Choose the format.** Pick M4A or WAV in the panel on the right before you start. M4A is small and plays everywhere; WAV is uncompressed and best for editing.
2. **Allow the microphone.** The first time, macOS asks whether OneMacTools may use the microphone. Click Allow. If you said no earlier, turn it on in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone.
3. **Press Record or Space.** Click the red button or press the Space bar. The live level meter moves as you speak and the timer counts up.
4. **Stop to save.** Press the button or Space again. The recording is saved straight away, named with the date and time, such as “Recording 2026-10-14 at 09.30.12”.
5. **Find your recording.** It's in a new dated folder in Downloads › OneMacTools. Play it with the Preview (eye) button or open the folder with Show in Finder.

## Options
- **Format:** M4A or WAV, M4A by default. M4A is compressed AAC audio: small files that play on any Apple device and most others. WAV is uncompressed 16-bit audio, about ten times larger, and the better choice if you'll edit the recording afterwards. Both are recorded in mono at 48 kHz.

## Tips
- Do a ten-second test first and play it back. It's the quickest way to catch the wrong microphone or a level that's far too quiet.
- OneMacTools records from the Mac's current input. To use a USB or headset microphone, choose it in System Settings › Sound › Input before you start.
- Keep the level meter moving well up the scale without filling it. Move closer to the microphone rather than shouting.
- Stay on the Record Audio screen until you've stopped. Switching to another tool mid-recording discards what you've recorded so far.
- Record in a soft-furnished room and run the result through Clean Up Audio to reduce hiss and hum and even out the volume.

## Questions
**How do I record audio on a Mac?**
Open Record Audio, choose M4A or WAV and press Space or the red button. Press it again to stop, and the recording is saved in your OneMacTools folder.

**Why isn't my Mac recording any sound?**
OneMacTools probably doesn't have microphone access. Turn it on in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone, and check the right input is chosen in System Settings › Sound › Input.

**How do I record with an external microphone?**
Plug it in and choose it in System Settings › Sound › Input. Record Audio uses whichever input macOS is set to.

**Should I record in M4A or WAV?**
M4A for voice memos and anything you'll share, because the files are small. WAV if you'll edit, mix or process the recording, because it's uncompressed.

**Is there a time limit on recordings?**
No. You can record for as long as you need; the only limit is free space on your Mac. An hour of M4A takes far less space than an hour of WAV.

**Can I pause a recording?**
No. Stopping saves the recording. Record each part separately and join them with Merge & Level Audio.

**Does it record the sound playing on my Mac?**
No, it records from a microphone or audio input only. To capture what's on screen with its sound, use Screen Recorder.