Using Reaper to record System Audio (macbook M1)

[uglijimus]

I have tried every screen capture under the sun to try to record my system audio while recording the video of my desktop. NOTHING works. So, now I am wondering if there is a way to record the system audio using reaper and then I can just OBS to record the video portion.

Is this possible? I feel like it shouldn't be that difficult...

[Stella645]

For Reaper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIwPV1b8M8

You can also get audio into most screen capture programmes with a virtual audio cable like Soundflower.

[7enz]

Originally Posted by uglijimus

I have tried every screen capture under the sun to try to record my system audio while recording the video of my desktop. NOTHING works. So, now I am wondering if there is a way to record the system audio using reaper and then I can just OBS to record the video portion.

Is this possible? I feel like it shouldn't be that difficult...

install blackhole 64 for the m1 its free... that way you have enough virtual audio channels
you then create a aggregate device..
put blackhole as the first device and your audio interface as the second audio device
your system audio will always be routed to the first device on the aggregate device
likewise with any other application that doesnt have a way of outputting audio where you want it...

then in reaper you tie the blackhole audio to your inputs... and then output it to your audio device,
you just need to remember that the system audio is being routed through blackhole... and requires reaper to output it...
or alternatively just switch the audio back to your normal audio device(how you had it originally (no aggregate))
you just need to be aware of any feedback loops that you may make the mistake of creating.....(its an easy thing to do... if you dont pay attention to the details of where all the audios inputs and outputs are going)

[uglijimus]

I did try blackhole, but I felt it was really screwing up my standard operations of just when I wanted to use REaper with my UMC 404 (without recording system audio). so i unistalled it. however, it did work, I will need it whenever I do reaction channels on my youtube channel, and then probably uninstall when not using for said purpose. It's a pain, but looks that's what has to be done until something better comes along.

thanks for responding

[MonkeyBars]

I prefer VB-Cable. Much more stable than Blackhole for high-intensity work

[uglijimus]

i'll look into it thanks!

[serr]

I've used Soundflower and Blackhole. Both free. Pretty stable even when you break the rules as it were and sync sample rate "virtually" (which is the only choice for a virtual audio device and why this wouldn't be advised in front of an audience).

I've been using Loopback more recently. It's more stable when breaking the rules. More features but not free.

As far as the PITA to switch between devices and aggregate devices...
Pick your battles I guess? To me it's just like working a selector switch on a home AV receiver. Not exactly what I'd consider a PITA. Uninstalling/reinstalling would certainly be a magnitude more mouse clicks! Also no reason to uninstall. Just choose not to use it, right?

Apps like OBS being "hard wired" for only two inputs and only channels 1/2 is kind of common. Using a virtual device for audio routing is done all the time with this stuff.

[uglijimus]

yeah, I know it would be a pain to uninstall/reinstall, but I am only doing it for a reaction video on youtube. If the reaction video goes well, then I'll look to do it more permanently. But I noticed when I'm just recording through my UMC404 digital to audio converter, it was giving me a whole bunch of problems in reaper..no gain, strange signal flow, regardless of what I selected in the sound properties.

[serr]

The UMC404 doesn't have a DAW-like app to control it's built-in direct mixer (cuemix/monitor mix). There would be no way to control that from Reaper. It's cuemix monitoring controls consist of a single DAW output vs live inputs mix knob and a stereo/mono switch.

It's simple and crude for sure. That's just the extent of the built-in monitor feature in this device.

FYI, the fancy ones like MOTU and RME have separate DAW-like apps to control their internal monitoring and routing. That part still doesn't ever talk to the main host DAW.

[uglijimus]

sorry, I don't really understand this very much other than, if I get something like the MOTU, I won't have any problems like this in the future? (^_^)

[Wallaby]

Not sure with MOTU but for sure RME has Loopback function onboard.
Look out for a used Babyface !

[serr]

Originally Posted by uglijimus

sorry, I don't really understand this very much other than, if I get something like the MOTU, I won't have any problems like this in the future? (^_^)

Any direct monitor feature in an audio interface that has software DAW-like controls will use it's own app. The host DAW (eg. Reaper) will not be able to control it directly. Think of it like a separate monitor board.

MOTU will have a mixer app called Cuemix. RME has TotalMix. They are mixing apps like Reaper but with just the limited features needed for the built-in mixer in the audio interface. It's like a monitor board.

The interfaces like the Behringer and many others simply use a balance knob. You balance between the connected DAW output and any connected hardware inputs. Just very simple and to the point.

The MOTU or RME app will be on the same computer and you can just flip to that screen when you need to. There will still not be any linking of Reaper controls to these devices. The Behringer makes you walk up to it and turn the physical knob.

There are 'mix systems' like the X32 series that include an audio interface. You get tablet control apps and computer based edit/control apps. These include the ability to set the gain with a digitally controlled pot and save and recall. Any host DAW (eg Reaper) for recording would still be separate.

[Wallaby]

I have to mention Wondershare UniConverter !
The free demo version comes with an additional tool "Speaker Audio Recorder", it ask you during the installation and you have to ok it, it appears in the Audio-Midi-Setup and in the system audio devices.
It is a virtual soundcard for input and output.
Once you select it in the system for audio output device, you can select it in Reaper as the audio device and voila, the speaker sound is on the input for recording.
You can then delete the Wondershare UniConverter app and the audio tool remains in the HAL plugin folder without restrictions. It is stable and so far the best one I tested.

[klong]

UAD thunderbolt Apollo/Solo/Arrow interfaces have a loopback feature as well (not the Volt USB ones)

[uglijimus]

so I haven't tried some of the later comments suggestions, but I have been using VB-cable, and so far so good! I'm going to keep crossing my fingers!

thank you!