Pro · Live sessions
Take notes on a live class or call
Session Mode puts the meeting, your notes and the recording in one window. Join as usual, watch the call inside VidNotes, and walk away with a recording that has your notes, key moments and slide screenshots already on its timeline.
Session Mode is part of VidNotes Pro($79.99, one time) and needs the direct download of VidNotes — the Mac App Store doesn’t allow recording other apps’ audio. See Direct download & license.
1
Open Session Mode
Click Record Sessionin the toolbar. The first time, macOS asks to let VidNotes use your microphone and record other apps’ audio — allow both.
2
Join your meeting
Pick how you were invited:
- Link — paste a Zoom, Teams, Meet or Luma link and click Open.
- Zoom ID — enter the meeting ID and passcode. VidNotes opens Zoom with both filled in.
- Teams ID — enter the meeting ID and passcode. VidNotes opens the Teams join page and copies the ID and passcode for you to paste.
VidNotes never joins the meeting itself — your usual Zoom, Teams or browser does. VidNotes records what your Mac plays.
3
Show the meeting window (optional)
Click Show the Meeting Window…and pick the meeting in the macOS window picker. The call now appears inside VidNotes, next to your notes. Keep the meeting window open behind VidNotes — covered is fine, minimised isn’t. Skip this step to record audio only.
4
Choose what to save
Video + audio saves the meeting window with the sound (about 0.3–0.6 GB per hour). Audio only is about 30–60 MB per hour — screenshots still work.
Leave both The call and Your microphone on to record both sides. The level bars show each source is coming through.
5
Take notes while it runs
Click Start Session. Type notes as you go — each one is stamped with the time in the session.
- Capture(⇧⌘S) screenshots the meeting window — shared slides included — and reads its text on-device so it’s searchable. Needs the meeting window from step 3.
- Mark (⇧⌘M) flags a key moment to come back to.
6
Stop and review
Click Stop. The recording opens in the player with every note, mark and screenshot on its timeline, and transcription starts automatically. From there it’s a normal video: brief it, chat with it, export it, or share it as a VidNotes Pack with the recording inside.
Ask before you record.Recording laws differ by country and state — some require everyone’s permission. Let the people on the call know. Recordings stay on your Mac; nothing is uploaded.
If something goes wrong:a red banner appears within a few seconds if audio isn’t being saved. If a recording can’t be saved, choose Save notes & screenshots without the recording — your notes are never lost with it. On a MacBook with the lid closed, the built-in mic is off; pick another microphone.