A screen recording without audio is often useless. You need to hear what's on screen — meeting voices, video narration, game sound effects. But capturing system audio (the sounds your computer outputs) turns out to be surprisingly complicated, especially on Mac where Apple restricts it by default.
This guide covers every method for capturing system audio alongside your screen recording, across Windows, Mac, and Chrome browser-based recording.
Capture Browser Tab Audio Automatically
Screen Recorder Pro captures tab audio natively in Chrome — no Stereo Mix, no virtual audio cables needed for browser content.
Add to Chrome — FreeThe Simplest Solution: Browser Tab Audio Capture
If the audio you want to capture comes from your browser — a Zoom meeting, a YouTube video, an online course, a web-based game — you don't need any system audio tricks. Chrome extensions that use the Tab Capture API record the tab's audio output directly from the browser's audio pipeline.
This means:
- No Stereo Mix setup on Windows
- No BlackHole installation on Mac
- No virtual audio cables
- Clean, isolated audio from just that tab (no system notification sounds bleeding in)
For most people recording browser content, this is the complete solution. The complexity below only applies when you need to capture audio from desktop applications (games, Spotify, Slack, etc.) alongside your screen recording.
System Audio on Windows: Stereo Mix
Windows includes a built-in "Stereo Mix" recording device that loops your speaker output back as a recordable input. Many audio drivers include it, though some manufacturers disable it by default.
Open Sound settings
Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray and select Sound settings, or search for "Sound" in Windows Settings.
Go to the Recording tab
In the old Sound control panel (click "More sound settings" or search for mmsys.cpl), click the Recording tab. Right-click in the empty area and check Show Disabled Devices.
Enable Stereo Mix
Right-click Stereo Mix and select Enable. Then set it as the default recording device if you want all recording apps to use it by default.
Select Stereo Mix in your recording software
In OBS or other recording apps, select Stereo Mix as the audio capture source. It will capture everything playing through your speakers.
System Audio on Mac: BlackHole
macOS does not include any built-in system audio capture. Apple intentionally blocks applications from recording audio output for privacy reasons. The solution is a virtual audio driver that creates a loopback device.
BlackHole is the most popular free option:
Download and install BlackHole
Get it from existential.audio/blackhole (free, open source). Install the 2ch version for most use cases. Restart your Mac after installation.
Create a Multi-Output Device
Open Audio MIDI Setup (search in Spotlight). Click the + button and create a Multi-Output Device. Check both your speakers/headphones AND BlackHole 2ch. This lets audio play through your speakers AND be captured by BlackHole simultaneously.
Set the Multi-Output Device as your audio output
In System Settings → Sound → Output, select your Multi-Output Device. Audio now plays through both your speakers and BlackHole.
Select BlackHole as recording input
In your screen recorder (QuickTime, OBS, etc.), select BlackHole 2ch as the audio input. It will capture everything playing through your Mac's audio output.
Mixing System Audio and Microphone
Most professional screen recordings need both system audio AND microphone — you want to hear what's on screen and you want your narration captured too. Here's how to mix them:
On Windows (OBS Studio)
- In OBS, under Audio Mixer, add two sources: Desktop Audio (Stereo Mix or Windows Audio) and Microphone
- Adjust the volume levels of each independently
- OBS automatically mixes them into the final recording
On Mac (OBS Studio)
- In OBS Audio settings, set Desktop Audio to BlackHole 2ch
- Add your microphone as a second audio source
- OBS mixes both into your recording
Chrome Extensions
Extensions like Screen Recorder Pro let you enable both "Tab Audio" (system/browser audio) and "Microphone" simultaneously from the recording settings popup. Both streams are captured and mixed automatically.
Audio Quality Tips for System Audio Recording
- Set your volume before recording: System audio is captured at whatever volume you're playing it. Turn up the source to capture clean audio, then adjust during editing if needed.
- Avoid recording through speakers: If your mic is on while system audio plays through speakers, your microphone will pick up speaker audio — creating a feedback-like doubling effect. Use headphones when recording both mic and system audio.
- Monitor your audio levels: A good recording has audio peaks between -12 dB and -6 dB. Below -20 dB is too quiet; above 0 dB clips (distorts).
Comparison: System Audio Methods
| Method | Platform | Setup Required | Works For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tab Audio (Chrome extension) | Windows/Mac/Linux | None | Browser content only |
| Stereo Mix | Windows | Enable in Sound settings | All system audio |
| VB-Cable | Windows | Install virtual driver | All system audio |
| BlackHole | Mac | Install + configure Audio MIDI | All system audio |
| Xbox Game Bar | Windows | None | App windows (limited) |
No Setup for Browser Audio
Screen Recorder Pro captures Chrome tab audio automatically. Record Zoom meetings, YouTube videos, and any browser content with perfect audio — no extra configuration.
Install Screen Recorder ProFrequently Asked Questions
Why can't I record system audio on Mac?
macOS restricts applications from capturing system audio for privacy reasons. Unlike Windows, macOS requires a virtual audio device driver to route system audio to a recording input. Free options include BlackHole and Loopback (paid). Install one of these, set it as your audio output, and select it as the recording input in your screen recorder.
How do I record system audio on Windows?
Windows has a built-in 'Stereo Mix' input that captures everything playing through your speakers. In Sound settings, go to Recording devices, right-click the empty area, enable 'Show disabled devices', then enable Stereo Mix. Select it as your recording input in your screen recorder.
Can I record browser tab audio without system audio tools?
Yes. Chrome extensions that use the Tab Capture API can record the audio playing in a browser tab directly, without requiring Stereo Mix or virtual audio cables. This is the cleanest method for recording audio from websites, videos, Zoom calls, and any browser-based content.
What is the difference between system audio and microphone audio?
System audio captures sounds coming from your computer — music, videos, notification sounds, meeting audio. Microphone audio captures sounds from your physical microphone — your voice, room sounds. Most screen recordings benefit from both: system audio to capture what's on screen, and microphone to capture your narration.
Does Chrome's built-in screen recording capture system audio?
Chrome doesn't have a built-in screen recorder, but Chrome's Screen Capture API (used by extensions) can capture tab audio automatically. When you record a browser tab, audio playing in that tab is captured by default, including video sound, meeting audio, and music players.
