How to record a podcast on a Mac: the audio setup that won’t let you down

The kit: one mic per voice, and wired headphones

Most USB microphones plug straight into a Mac and appear as an input with no software to install. If you record more than one person in the room, an audio interface lets several microphones arrive as one device.

Monitor with wired headphones while you record. Bluetooth headphones add delay, and if anything on the Mac starts using their microphone they drop into a lower-quality call mode, which Apple describes in its support article on reduced Bluetooth sound quality.

Choosing your microphone in GarageBand

In GarageBand, open GarageBand ▸ Settings ▸ Audio/MIDI and pick your microphone in the Input Device menu, and your headphones in Output Device. Apple notes that GarageBand sets the input to match the output you choose, so check the input again after changing the output.

Choosing the device here, by name, means GarageBand keeps recording from it even if macOS changes its own default during the session.

Recording in QuickTime instead

For a quick solo episode, QuickTime Player is enough. Choose File ▸ New Audio Recording, then use the menu next to the record button to pick your microphone and the recording quality. Maximum quality records uncompressed audio, which is large but gives you the most to edit.

Check Mic Mode before you press record

macOS has voice-processing modes for calls, such as Voice Isolation. Apple's advice for recording in GarageBand and Logic Pro is to set Mic Mode to Standard, because the other modes are built for calls and change the sound of your voice. If your recording sounds oddly processed, this is the first thing to check.

Remote guests and video calls

If you record interviews over Zoom or a browser-based studio, check which microphone those use too. Zoom's audio settings offer your devices by name or "Same as System", which follows whatever macOS has as its default. That is convenient until a dock, a monitor or a pair of AirPods reconnects and moves the default mid-interview.

A two-minute pre-recording checklist

Input and output are set by name in your recording app. Mic Mode is on Standard. System Settings is closed. AirPods are in their case, or set to When Last Connected to This Mac in Bluetooth settings so they do not join on their own. Record ten seconds and listen back before the real thing.

Keeping the whole Mac on your podcast setup

Everything that follows the system default, such as calls, browser studios, previews and your own playback, is at the mercy of whichever device connected last. Tunestack gives the Mac a ranked list instead: your podcast mic first for input, your studio headphones first for output, and it puts them back whenever something else connects.

Profiles help if the same Mac does double duty. Keep a "Recording" order and an "Everyday" order and switch between them in one click from the menu bar.