Capture audio on macOS 13 "Ventura"

When using OBS Studio 28+ on macOS 13 "Ventura" or later, you can capture desktop audio or just the audio coming from a single application.

The audio will automatically be added to the audio mixer. If the source is hidden, the audio will be removed.

To capture all desktop audio, use Display Capture. All audio from all applications will be captured regardless of which display you select.

To capture from just a single application, you can use either Window Capture or Application Capture. If you use Window Capture, audio from the entire application will be captured regardless of which window you select.

If you only wish to capture audio, not show any picture, you can either:

• Place the macOS Screen Capture Source behind all other sources, or
• Edit the macOS Screen Capture Source's transformation to set the size to zero width by zero height

Note: you can combine the new macOS Screen Capture Source audio with the other methods below for advanced control over audio.

Capture audio on previous versions of macOS

In order to capture desktop audio on older versions of macOS, you will require additional software. There are many options, including free and non-free software.

BlackHole

BlackHole by existential audio can be used to record macOS desktop audio. It must be set up manually does not support per-application audio capture.

Download BlackHole 16ch and run the installer OR install BlackHole 16ch with Homebrew	Download BlackHole 16ch brew install blackhole-16ch
After you have installed BlackHole 16ch, open the Audio MIDI Setup application
Click on the + button at the lower-left of the window Click on Create Multi-Output Device
Uncheck BlackHole 16ch in the list to the right Check one device from which you want to hear audio
Re-check BlackHole 16ch. Make sure the device you selected in step 5 is set as the Master Device at the top of the window Close Audio MIDI Setup
In System Preferences, click on Sound
Click on Output, then click on the Multi-Output Device you created
In OBS Studio's Settings window, click on Audio Change the Desktop Audio device to BlackHole 16ch

Loopback

Loopback by Rogue Amoeba can be used for hassle-free audio routing, including per-application audio capture.

Sound Siphon

Sound Siphon by Static Z Software can be used for hassle-free audio routing, including per-application audio capture.