Recording System Audio with Jing--Mac OS X Edition
Posted on Friday May 16, 2008 by Matt Dyer
I mentioned here that users often ask us how to record system audio when making a Jing video. The answer for Mac users is a little easier, but comes with the same caveat as the Windows version: you can only record one thing at a time (voice narration or system audio).
That said, using SoundFlower from developer Cycling '74 is a great way to route audio on the Mac. Soundflower creates an internal input and output channel; you can tell your system that you want your audio pointed at the internal output and your recording pointed at the Soundflower input. This creates a software loop inside your machine that points your system audio right to your recorder. This means that programs like Jing (which records the default system input) records your system audio.
The downside to this is that while your system audio is rerouted with Soundflower, you can't hear it from your speakers or headphones. That's where Soundflowerbed comes in. It pulls off some trickery and allows you to hear what Jing is recording.
Here's how you do it.
First things first, install SoundFlower. You need administrator access to your machine to do this. It requires a restart as well.
Once that's done, click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences>Sound. On the Input and Output tabs, select Soundflower (2ch) as your input and output channel, respectively. Launch Soundflowerbed and from the icon on the Menubar select Built-in Output.
That's it; Jing is now setup to record audio from your system. To record voice narration, just go back and switch the input back to your microphone.
Here's a Jing (0:36) of the process. The video picks up right after I've installed SoundFlower and resarted my computer. Remember you can only record one input. Therefore there's some nice music in the background of this video, but I wasn't able to use my microphone to speak to you.
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Comments (8)
HI, so far so good except the volume control business doesn't seem to work with their latest version. I'm getting a message that there is a newer version of Soundflower installed on my machine than the download one available with the volume control - meaning I'd have to uninstall and go for an older version I think?
Not sure what's up with that but maybe you could clarify? It looks like the dude who did the patch hasn't caught up with the latest release.
But I do love how easy Jing is to use. Way better than anything else I've seen.
Cheers
Posted by Keith McDonald | May 19, 2008 12:28 AM
Posted on May 19, 2008 00:28
Hi Keith,
I had some issues with the volume too. I was never able to adjust the volume of the music but I think I may have found a work-around.
First, I uninstalled SoundFlower. I then downloaded the one from the site. When I used it, the volume control was grayed-out. So, I just turned up my system volume to the level that I thought the music sounded ok. Then, I launched SoundFlower and recorded my video. It's hard to say if my volume stayed the same, or if SoundFlower overrode my settings.
Maybe someone out there has more insight into SoundFlower? Maybe someone knows of a similar product that might give more control over the volume?
Thanks for your interest in Jing!
Mike Curtis
Posted by Mike Curtis, TechSmith | May 19, 2008 9:48 AM
Posted on May 19, 2008 09:48
This is great! I've struggled in search of programs that could record the sound coming from my computer, Soundflower seems to do the job and worked well with Jing!
I also couldn't adjust the volume on my computer. All I could do was adjust the volume on iTunes or any other program the sound was coming from.
Posted by Jumana | June 12, 2008 8:55 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 08:55
Well I don't think I'm using internal sound because I'm using a Bose external system?
Posted by Don Lett | June 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Posted on June 16, 2008 00:00
O.K. I figured out how to do it with soundflower, BUT... My Audio Hijack Pro manages to get sound much cleaner AND I can listen in as well, plus when I am done it puts things back the way they were. In short less hassle. I am new to Mac/Sound flower and just may not be using it correctly, but the ease of use is important. I have had a program in the past which required me to install Sound Flower, but then it managed the settings of it from then on. You at least could make Jing to that in the background.
Posted by DB | August 8, 2008 9:12 AM
Posted on August 8, 2008 09:12
Hi there, just found your website whilst doing some research via google.
Given what you say regarding only being able to record one sound source at a time, is there any way of adding a second audio track, for example a narration recorded seperately as a sound file, over the top of an instrumental backing ?
The short clip is great quality !
Posted by hs | August 11, 2008 2:25 AM
Posted on August 11, 2008 02:25
Your work is marvelous!!r
Posted by Timmy | August 21, 2008 9:55 AM
Posted on August 21, 2008 09:55
s prazdnikov vas
Posted by Kathy | August 21, 2008 12:18 PM
Posted on August 21, 2008 12:18