Capture

Record and import audio

Capture both sides of a call, import existing files, connect Voice Memos, and understand what enters the local queue.

4 min readReviewed 2026-07-28

Record both sides of a conversation

Open Record and press the large microphone button. AlmRecorder automatically attempts two separate sources:

  • Microphone → Me captures your voice.
  • System audio → Them captures remote participants digitally through macOS Screen Recording access.

The cards show which sources are available; there is no manual source selector. Use headphones to keep remote voices out of the microphone track, and follow the consent rules that apply to your conversation.

AlmRecorder Record view explaining separate microphone and system-audio tracks.
Two clean sourcesThe app checks system-audio access when recording starts.

When you stop, the tracks enter the transcription queue and the completed result appears in Library.

Import audio you already have

Choose Library → Import or File → Import Audio Files…. Drop files onto the window or select several at once. Imported audio does not need recording permissions. Keep the original file available for source-audio playback, review, cleanup, or retranscription—not only while the first job runs.

AlmRecorder Import view with buttons for audio files and the Apple Voice Memos folder.
Files or Voice MemosOne surface handles direct imports and optional Voice Memos access.

Connect Apple Voice Memos

Voice Memos is optional. Connect it during setup, use Transcription → Process Voice Memos, or choose Queue → Add Voice Memos. AlmRecorder can discover older unprocessed memos as well as future ones, so review Queue after connecting a large library.

The AlmRecorder setup step for optionally connecting an Apple Voice Memos folder.
Optional folder accessmacOS remembers access to the folder you select.

Watch work in Queue

Queue has four tabs: Transcription, Embeddings, Insights, and Cleanup. You can keep browsing completed recordings while background work continues.

The AlmRecorder Queue with tabs for transcription, embeddings, insights, and cleanup.
Background work stays visibleNew recordings and imports appear here automatically.

If a job fails, confirm the model is installed, the source file still exists, and enough disk space remains before retrying.

Next: review the transcript and find what mattered.