To keep your microphone and computer or app audio independently editable in a screen recording, use OBS Studio: assign each source to its own recording track, enable those tracks in OBS’s output settings, and verify the result in a multitrack editor. Built-in screen recorders can capture audio too, but their controls do not necessarily save microphone and system sound as separate tracks.
First, choose what “separately” means
It can mean one of three things: sound mixed into the screen video; microphone narration and system or app audio on separate tracks in the same video file; or audio saved as a separate file from the video. OBS documents the second option. The built-in platform workflows below describe ways to include audio, but do not establish that they create editable split tracks or a separate audio file.
| What you need | What to use | What you can edit afterward |
|---|---|---|
| Audio included with the screen recording | A built-in recorder may be enough | Depends on whether the recorder mixed sources or saved multiple tracks |
| Separate microphone and system/app tracks in one video | OBS Studio configured for multitrack recording | Adjust each recorded track independently in an editor that exposes tracks |
| A separate audio file | A separate audio-recording workflow alongside the screen recording | Audio and video are separate files; synchronize them in editing |
Do not judge a multitrack file only by playing it in a basic video player. The OBS Project’s Multiple Audio Track Recording Guide, published July 14, 2023, notes that standard video players play only one audio track at a time. Open the recording in an editor that shows its audio tracks to confirm what was captured.
Record separate audio tracks in OBS Studio
This setup keeps the screen recording in one video file while routing sources such as a microphone and desktop or app sound to distinct audio tracks. You can also put both sources on a combined track for convenient playback, while retaining their individual tracks for editing.
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- Add the audio sources. In your OBS scene, add or enable the sources you want to capture, such as desktop or application output and a microphone. OBS supports audio input and output capture sources for selected devices. Available routes can vary by operating system and permissions.
- Open Advanced Audio Properties. In the Audio Mixer, open the menu for Advanced Audio Properties.
- Assign each source to tracks. Use the track checkboxes to route the microphone and system or app audio separately. For example, place both sources on track 1 for a combined playback mix, the microphone alone on track 2, and system or app audio alone on track 3. The combined track is optional; OBS’s guide explains that track 1 is useful for playback in standard video players.
- Enable the tracks for recording. Open Settings → Output and enable each track you want included in the recording. Assigning sources in Advanced Audio Properties is not enough if the corresponding output tracks are not enabled.
- Make a short test recording. Speak, play the intended system or app sound, and check that each source appears on its assigned track and is synchronized with the video. Open the file in a multitrack editor rather than relying on basic-player playback to reveal every track.
Avoid duplicate capture and echo
If you add a microphone or output device directly to a scene, check whether OBS is also capturing that same device globally. Capturing one device both as a scene source and globally can create echo. Disable the duplicate device under Settings → Audio. See the OBS Project’s Audio Sources documentation for capture-source details.
Operating-system differences
OBS documents Audio Input/Output Capture support on Windows and macOS; on Linux, its Audio Sources guidance says to use ALSA or PulseAudio sources instead. The available route on a particular Mac can depend on the operating-system version and capture permissions, so do not assume every installation presents identical options.
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Use the built-in screen recorder when a mixed recording is enough
These controls can include or select audio, but the cited platform guidance does not promise separate editable microphone and system-audio tracks. Menu names and availability can vary by device or software version.
Windows 10 and 11: Xbox Game Bar
- Open Game Bar settings and choose Capturing.
- Select the option to include all computer sounds.
- Start or stop a clip with Windows key + Alt + R. Toggle the microphone with Windows key + Alt + M.
- Find clips as MP4 files in Videos/Captures.
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Bar recording instructions describe system-audio inclusion and microphone control, not independently editable tracks. For split-track editing, use a multitrack recorder such as OBS and verify the saved file in an editor.
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Mac: Screenshot screen recording
Apple’s Mac screen-recording instructions let you choose a microphone when you want voice or other audio included. They do not establish a universal built-in feature for saving system audio and microphone audio as separate tracks. Apple’s Logic Pro audio-recording guide describes assigning different inputs to different tracks; recording multiple sources simultaneously requires an audio interface with multiple inputs. That is an audio-recording workflow, not a screen recorder by itself.
iPhone
- Open Control Center and touch and hold Screen Recording.
- Turn on Microphone, then start recording.
Apple notes that some apps may not allow their content to be recorded, and screen recording cannot be used at the same time as screen mirroring. The microphone control adds audio to the screen-recording workflow; Apple’s instructions do not promise separate editable microphone and app-audio tracks. See Apple’s iPhone screen-recording instructions.
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Android
- Open Screen recorder from Quick Settings.
- Choose whether to record audio before starting, then start the recording.
- Stop from the Screen recorder notification.
Google’s Android screen-recording guidance is general: audio options and steps can depend on the device and Android version. It does not establish a universal choice of audio sources or separate editable tracks. If the option you need is missing, consult your phone maker’s instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the recording and fix common problems
- You hear only one source in a video player: Open the file in a multitrack editor and inspect its tracks. Standard players may play just one track from a multitrack recording.
- OBS audio echoes: Check whether the same device is captured both globally and as a scene source. Remove the duplicate capture in Settings → Audio.
- A source is missing from the saved OBS file: Check its track assignment in Advanced Audio Properties, then confirm that track is enabled under Settings → Output. Make another short test and inspect the file in an editor.
- Phone screen recording has no suitable audio choice: Options vary across Android devices; check the phone maker’s instructions. On iPhone, confirm the Microphone control is enabled if you need narration. Some apps may restrict recording their content.
- A particular app’s sound cannot be captured: Capture behavior and restrictions vary. Apple explicitly notes that some iPhone apps do not allow their content to be recorded; consult the relevant platform or app guidance rather than assuming every source is recordable.
Do you need an external microphone?
No. A USB microphone is optional: it can provide an input for narration, but it is not a requirement for separating audio sources. If you need to record multiple physical inputs simultaneously in a Mac audio-production workflow, Apple’s Logic Pro guidance specifies an audio interface with multiple inputs.
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