Can I record internal audio on my Mac or Iphone

Question

Can I record internal audio on my Mac or Iphone

Hey there,

Due to the Lockdown I have to perform interviews via Zoom or Google instead of in person. It is important that I can record the interviews so that a (free) software (like otter.ai) can transcribe the audio for me for free as I don't have the time (or 5finger typing skills) to do this myself. Before I used my iPhone/Mac to record in person interviews via voice memo and both worked really well. However, now, since the interviews will be online, how I cannot properly record them. I tried already recording the sound by putting my phone next to my Macbook speakers, however the quality was insufficient and the devices next to each other interfered on my internet connection. Better would be if I could record the audio from either device directly. Unfortunately, with Zoom it is only possible to also record the video, which will result into a too large file. Screen recording seems to just record the Video as well.

How can I record the internal audio/sound from my phone or mac without using third party software (I dont trust the free one and I don't want to spent money uselessly). In a sophisticated device like a Macbook or iPhone this should be easily possible - however i cannot seem to find out how. Does anyone have an easy solution for me?

Also in general: which microphone is better, from an iPhone 11 or my Macbook Pro 2016?

All the best,

Merlin

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 15, 2021 10:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

a brody

Level 10

84,061 points

Jan 15, 2021 11:12 AM in response to MerlinWizardBoy

The audio from the iPhone is closer to your mouth, so naturally its audio is going to have less issues with ambient sound.

There is a Voice Memos App from Apple to record your voice on the iPhone that is on every iPhone and iPad.

You can get a USB-C to RCA or digital audio adapter from http://www.macsales.com/ depending on whether or not you want recording off your Mac. The Mac though has an application called Voice Memos that records the audio. Zoom also offers its own built-in voice recorder feature on its App. If you can't find it, visit zoom.us for documentation.

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Answer 2

Jan 15, 2021 11:19 AM in response to a brody

thanks for the reply. Just to be sure I am understanding you correctly: it is possible to record the audio with voice memo that is "sent out" from my MacBook when trying out it did not show "sound waves" when using headphones. It is important that also the voice of my Interview partner will be heard. Do I need to change a setting within the app?

Thanks for the tip with Zoom, for now I only found the video recording function, I'll have another look on their website.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

84,061 points

Jan 15, 2021 11:59 AM in response to MerlinWizardBoy

Anything that is ambient sound will be recorded by the microphone of either or. Digital recording is best done by the app generating the sound and taking in the sound in the first place. That's why the feature of Zoom's own App is probably the best solution since your program itself knows to record the audio happening as a result of the conversation. Otherwise you will get delays and feedback issues depending on other audio that is being recorded.

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Can I record internal audio on my Mac or Iphone

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