How to Record Internal Audio on a Mac

Recording your Mac’s internal audio (the sound playing through your speakers, a video call, or streaming audio) isn’t something macOS lets you do out of the box. You need a virtual audio driver to route that sound into a recording app.
Here’s how to set it up and start recording internal audio directly in NeonWaves.

You can also watch this video here:

What You’ll Need

Before you can record internal audio, you have to set up a free virtual audio driver called BlackHole, then configure a couple of audio devices in macOS. Once that’s done, NeonWaves handles the actual recording.

Step 1: Install the BlackHole Audio Driver

Search for the BlackHole (*) audio driver. You can get access to the download in one of two ways:

• Donate $10 and BlackHole will send you the download link, or
• Join the BlackHole Discord community using their link and get the download for free

Inside the Discord channel, look for the black-hole-download section to find the link, then follow BlackHole’s installation steps.

BlackHole virtual audio driver to route internal Mac audio between applications.

Step 2: Create a Multi-Output Device

Once BlackHole is installed:

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup on your Mac.
2. Create a new Multi-Output Device.
3. Select BlackHole 2ch as part of that device.

Create a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup and select both your Mac speakers and BlackHole 2ch.

Step 3: Create an Aggregate Device

Next, in the same Audio MIDI Setup app:

1. Create a new Aggregate Device.
2. Select BlackHole 2ch again for this device.

Create an Aggregate Device in Audio MIDI Setup and enable BlackHole 2ch for internal audio recording.

Step 4: Set Your Mac’s Sound Settings

Go to your Mac’s Settings, then Sound, and set:

• Input: the Aggregate Device you just created
• Output: the Multi-Output Device you created in Step 2

Set the Aggregate Device as your Mac’s audio input

Choose the Multi-Output Device as your Mac’s audio output

Step 5: Record in NeonWaves

Open NeonWaves and make sure either the Default or Aggregate Device option is selected. Then simply press Record.

NeonWaves will now capture your Mac’s internal audio directly.

Edit Immediately After Recording

The advantage of recording internal audio through NeonWaves is that you don’t have to switch apps once the recording stops. Your captured audio is ready to edit right away, so you can:

• Make it louder
• Reduce background noise
• Apply effects
• And more, all in the same session

(*) Disclaimer:
BlackHole is a third-party audio driver and is not created or maintained by NeonWaves.
We are not responsible for its installation process, functionality, availability, or any issues that may arise from downloading or using it.
Please refer to BlackHole’s own official channels for support and the most current installation instructions.