How to Record 2 USB Mics with Separate Tracks at the Same Time on MAC (For Interviews & Podcasting)

You'd think it would be easy to just plug two USB microphones into your computer and hit record into two separate tracks, but of course, NOPE! There's a little trick that I'll show you here in this video.

Note: This is primarily for MAC users only, however the "idea" is the same for PCs. The menu items and where to find to do this process is different on a PC.

This way, you can record two people at the same time (or more if you have more mics, just do the same thing again and again for each additional microphone), and control each track separately for editing.

Tools / items mentioned in this video below (affiliate links):

Anker 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub:

iRig Lav Mic (2-pack):

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27 Responses to How to Record 2 USB Mics with Separate Tracks at the Same Time on MAC (For Interviews & Podcasting)

  1. Chris Pyak July 21, 2018 at 7:31 am #

    Pat, can you read minds? I literally just thought: “Damn, I missed office hours – I wanted to ask how I can record with two microphones.” 🙂

    • Chris Pyak July 21, 2018 at 3:06 pm #

      Ah.. A bit premature. How does this work in windows? (PC)

  2. Terry Stafford December 13, 2019 at 5:42 pm #

    Can something like this be done using an iPad Pro?

    • Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 8:40 am #

      With two mics, not USB mic like this, you’d only get one mic at a time if it connected. You can, however, use a tool like the Rode SC-6 and plug two Rode SmartLAV+ mics (which are the smaller, lav mics that clip onto your shirt). That, or get a two pack of the iRig iMics. You can connect multiple to each other and get even more than two at a time into one iPad. Trouble is, it’s not going to record into separate tracks.

      Here’s a video with the solution I talk about, above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rBNGz_LgaQ

  3. Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 7:51 am #

    If you’re seeing this in late January 2020, my apologies if this gave you a late-night notification! Just cleaning up the YouTube channel a bit, and noticed this handy video was left, for some reason, unlisted. I made it public, but yeah – I think it may have triggered a notification. My apologies!

    • EightWheels1 January 31, 2020 at 9:11 am #

      Glad I got the notification, Pat — I hadn’t seen this before, and it’s very helpful. I usually record with a RØDECaster Pro, but sometimes only have my MacBook Pro and a couple of Samson Q2U mics, so this would work! Thank you!

    • Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 2:29 pm #

      Well then I’m glad it happened! Thanks!

    • Alejandro Gomez January 31, 2020 at 10:11 pm #

      Pat brother THANK YOU for this video, what about with Windows and Audicity?

  4. Chris Pyak January 31, 2020 at 7:59 am #

    Is this only for Mac or also for PC? (I must confess I haven’t watched the video yet – because in the past your excellent videos covered only Mac, not PC.)

    • Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 8:14 am #

      Thanks Chris, this is a MAC tutorial. Thanks for reminding me to add that to the title as to not confuse. That said, the process IS similar on a PC but the menu items are not equivalent.

    • Chris Pyak January 31, 2020 at 8:27 am #

      @Pat Flynn thank you. Would be great if you would make such a video for PC as well – this is a question for which I couldn’t find a good solution yet. Keep up the great work! 🙂

  5. JonesRandomKnowledge January 31, 2020 at 8:02 am #

    How do we get a guest to be on our podcast and record remotely? I am totally new.

    • Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 8:17 am #

      You’d have to work it out with each individual as far as scheduling, however you can connect on places like Skype, Zoom.us, or tools that record the best quality audio like Squadcast.

    • JonesRandomKnowledge January 31, 2020 at 8:39 am #

      @Pat Flynnmaybe do a video on zoom or Skype? I would like to learn more about it. Thank you so much Pat Team Flynn for the win.

  6. Justin Brown - Primal Video January 31, 2020 at 9:49 am #

    Great video Pat! I’ll be sending people this way for sure

  7. WIR ERKLAEREN January 31, 2020 at 10:47 am #

    do you have a recommendation for a good alternative usb mic? (if this is currently not available?). preferably a dynamic mic which picks up less room noise.

    • Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 2:30 pm #

      I typically recommend the ATR-2100 by AudioTechnica, or the Samson Q2U!

  8. Tennis Files January 31, 2020 at 3:35 pm #

    Thank you, Pat! This is a great budget setup that still sounds real solid. Just one more atr-2100 and I’ll be all set. Is this possible to do in Audacity as well? I’m used to using it over Gband. Cheers!

    • Pat Flynn January 31, 2020 at 4:20 pm #

      Yep! I believe it works the same way!

    • Tennis Files January 31, 2020 at 4:40 pm #

      @Pat Flynn Sweet, thanks Pat! If only they would update Audacity to work with Catalina lol. Keep up the great work! :O)

  9. Adam Tatusko January 31, 2020 at 3:38 pm #

    2:53 “My Two Mics” would be a great show name for a podcast! What do you think?

  10. Adam Tatusko January 31, 2020 at 3:42 pm #

    3:33 Correction: MIDI is always pronounced MIH-dee, never MEE-dai, as you said. MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and related audio devices for playing, editing, and recording music.

    • Adam Tatusko January 31, 2020 at 3:58 pm #

      @Pat Flynn You’re welcome, buddy!

  11. Communication Coach Alex Lyon January 31, 2020 at 5:41 pm #

    I was wondering how to do that. Great tips.

  12. Art Johnson January 31, 2020 at 6:09 pm #

    This is way cool! It is a bit complicated, but your instructions were very clear, and the cost is really minimal (except for the mics). I already have a Zoom H5 for a portable solution that also provides a better preamp. Then for more professional use I use a Zoom F4, which has even more inputs and even better preamp. Rock on, and thanks for all you do!!

  13. Suad Photography January 31, 2020 at 8:18 pm #

    is there a “Windows comparable” to this setup? Will it work with Adobe Audition?

  14. Lawrence Jaramillo January 31, 2020 at 9:38 pm #

    I’ve literally been searching for this all over the internet!! Thank you Pat!!!

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