These instructions cover recording screencasts with QuickTime on macOS.
Note on Microphones
Do not record audio narration with your computer’s built-in microphone. Doing so will most likely result in poor audio quality. Instead, use headphones or a headset that has either an attached or integrated microphone.
If you do not have access to any such devices you’ll be provided with a Logitech H390 Wired Headset. Instructions below note the Logitech H390 Wired Headset as the recording device, but are applicable to any recording device.
Devices Selection
Before screen recording, verify your headset is selected as the recording input device.
- Click the Apple Icon in the upper menu bar
- Select System Preferences
- Select Sound
- Click the Input tab
- Select the Logitech USB Headset
- Speak at a normal volume and observe the Input Level. Hovering in the middle is ideal and it should never go all the way to the right. Adjust the Input Volume as needed
When needed, repeat these steps to set another device as the default.
When recording with the headset, make sure you have your microphone properly placed and unmuted. The microphone is muted when the red LED is illuminated.
Display Settings
Before doing any screen recording always adjust your display settings to increase readability.
- Click the Apple Icon in the upper menu bar
- Select System Preferences
- Select Displays
- Set the Scale to 1280 x 720 or the next closest option
Tip
Be mindful of the size of your content when recording. Zoom in to make your content as large as possible. This will optimize the viewing of your recording when its embedded in your course.
macOS Version
The screen recording process with QuickTime is different for different versions of macOS. Make sure to check your version so you know which directions to use.
Click the Apple Icon in the upper menu bar, and select About This Mac
The Overview tab should indicate your version of macOS.
Recording
macOS Monterey 12.0 / Big Sur 11.0 / Catalina 10.15
- Launch QuickTime
- In the upper menu bar, select File > New Screen Recording
- Select Options in the Recording Toolbar and make sure Microphone is set to Logitech USB Headset
- Select Record Entire Screen in the Recording Toolbar
- Click Record, and select your desired display if you have multiple displays, to start recording.
- To stop recording, push the Stop Recording button in upper menu bar
- To save your recording choose File > Save. We strongly encourage giving your recording a descriptive name (e.g.,
psychology100-lesson1-screencast.mp4)
Tip
Silence notifications and close out of any application not being used in your recording.
macOS Mojave 10.14
- Launch QuickTime
- In the upper menu bar, select File > New Screen Recording
- In the Recording Toolbar click the downward arrow next to the Record button
. Make sure the Microphone is set to Logitech USB Headset.
- Push the Record button
and click anywhere on your screen to record the entire screen. 
- To stop recording, push the Stop Recording button in upper menu bar
- To save your recording choose File > Save. We strongly encourage giving your recording a descriptive name (e.g.,
psychology100-lesson1-screencast.mp4)
Tip
Silence notifications and close out of any application not being used in your recording.
Published on June 13, 2022 at 12:52:07 pm CDT. Last modified on September 27, 2022 at 11:56:45 am CDT.