Record Mac audio
Press Command-R while a video, reference track, browser page, music app, or plugin is playing to capture Mac audio without installing BlackHole, Soundflower, or another audio driver.
DOT Audio Recorder
DOT is a macOS audio recorder that captures sound from selected apps or all Mac audio, then trims clips and analyzes musical key, BPM, and chords. It is designed for musicians who want to move sounds from videos, references, browsers, or plugins into a DAW without virtual audio routing.
Mac audio recording with musical analysis
DOT is a Mac audio recorder for capturing sound played by your computer. Press Command-R while a video, reference track, browser session, music app, or plugin preset demo is playing, and DOT saves a trimmed clip in its library. You can record from a selected app or from all Mac audio, without installing an audio driver or rerouting sound through a virtual device.
For musical material, DOT identifies the key and BPM and shows a chord for each half bar. Clips can be exported as WAV, AIFF, or M4A audio files and dragged into a compatible DAW, while the chord progression can be exported as a standard MIDI file for use with your own sounds. It is aimed at musicians who want to turn sounds they encounter on a Mac into workable session material quickly.
Features
Select the recording source
Choose a specific app such as a browser, music app, or plugin, or leave the source set to all Mac audio. An optional Microphone too mode is available.
Automatic trimming
DOT trims both ends of each take before showing it. You can adjust the handles, which snap to the beat.
Musical analysis
Musical clips receive a detected key and BPM, plus a chord for every half bar. The chords can be exported as a standard MIDI file.
DAW-ready export
Export recordings as normal audio files in WAV, AIFF, or M4A format, then drag them into a compatible DAW. The site specifically names Ableton, Logic, and FL Studio.
Clip library search
Search the recording library by title, key, or BPM, keeping captured ideas easier to locate later.
Use cases
Save an audio idea
Capture a sound from a video, online reference, or browser session as soon as you hear it, then trim it and keep it in the DOT library for later use.
Study a musical reference
Record a reference track or musical passage and use the reported key, BPM, and chord sequence to replay the idea with instruments and sounds in your own session.
Collect sound-design material
Capture a plugin preset demo or a sound from a music app without setting up a virtual audio driver, then move the audio into a DAW for arrangement or sound design work.
Organize captured clips
Search saved clips by title, key, or BPM when revisiting sketches or building a session around a particular tempo or tonal center.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Records Mac audio without BlackHole, Soundflower, or audio routing.
- Provides key, BPM, and half-bar chord information for musical clips.
- Automatically trims takes and supports beat-snapped adjustment.
- Exports common audio formats and standard chord MIDI for DAW workflows.
- Recordings remain on the Mac and the app works offline.
Cons
- Requires macOS 14.4 or later.
- The free version limits use to the first 10 recordings and 3 chord MIDI exports.
- DOT records audio you can hear, but permission to release someone else’s recording still depends on the rights holder.
FAQ
What do I need to run DOT?
DOT requires macOS 14.4 or later and works on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. There is no audio driver or plugin to install. macOS asks for Screen & System Audio Recording permission; microphone permission is only needed if Microphone too is enabled.
Does DOT replace BlackHole or Soundflower?
Yes. DOT records Mac audio without BlackHole or Soundflower and does not require audio routing. If you use BlackHole to send audio between apps live, the site recommends keeping it for that separate workflow.
How do I record and move a clip into a DAW?
Press Command-R while audio is playing, then choose a source such as a browser, music app, or plugin, or record all Mac audio. DOT trims the take and lets you drag the resulting audio file into a DAW. It specifically names Ableton, Logic, and FL Studio.
Where are recordings stored, and does DOT work offline?
Recordings stay on the Mac and DOT works offline. It connects online only to check for updates and the license. The app may optionally ask to see the title of what is playing on Spotify.
Can I try DOT before buying it?
The free version has no time limit and includes the first 10 recordings and 3 chord MIDI exports. The paid version is a one-time $49 purchase with unlimited recordings, unlimited chord MIDI exports, use on up to three of your own Macs, and free updates. Purchases have a full refund period of 30 days.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Mac audio recorder
- Platform
- macOS 14.4 or later
- Supported Macs
- Apple silicon and Intel
- Audio sources
- Selected app, all Mac audio, or optional microphone input
- Audio export
- WAV, AIFF, or M4A
- Purchase model
- Free trial; $49 one-time purchase
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