The TonePebble
handbook.

Your first recording.

1. Choose what to capture.

   Open TonePebble and choose New recording. Enable System Audio for your Mac’s sound, or use Add source to select an app or microphone.

2. Allow access.

   Open Permissions in the app. Allow Screen & System Audio Recording, and Microphone access when using an input. Reopen TonePebble if macOS asks you to.

3. Check your setup.

   Watch the source meters. Choose Test selected setup for an eight-second sample, then Play test to check the mix. The test is temporary and is not added to your library.

4. Record your moment.

   Give the recording a name and choose Start Recording. Use Mark to bookmark a moment, Pause for a break, or Split to start a new part.

5. Keep it.

   Choose Stop & Save. Your recording appears in the library, ready to play, edit, transcribe, or export.

Choose your sources.

Your whole Mac

Enable System Audio. Add a microphone if you want to include your voice.

One app, or a few

Turn System Audio off, then choose Add source and select your apps. Start audio in an app so it appears in the picker, or enable Show all running apps. Selection applies to the whole application, rather than a single browser tab.

Apps added as separate channels are excluded from System Audio, so they are not captured twice. Turning an app channel off keeps that app out of the recording; removing the channel returns it to System Audio.

A microphone or audio input

Choose Add source → Audio inputs. Use Test while speaking to identify the right device. Pin a device to keep using that hardware when the Mac’s default input changes.

Choose sources before starting a take. Volume and mute remain adjustable while you record.

Edit and shape audio.

Select a recording and choose Edit audio. The timeline stays visible while tools open in the inspector.

• Trim: drag a clip’s edges to keep the part you want.
• Split: place the playhead inside a selected clip and press ⌘B.
• Select a passage: use the Range tool and drag across the waveform.
• Layer audio: choose Add audio to bring a file or library recording onto another lane.
• Balance tracks: open Mixer for gain, mute, and solo. Add points to a clip’s volume line to shape its level over time.
• Shape the sound: open Sound, choose a track, and enable the processing you need. Compare with the original by switching processing off.

With Ripple on, removing a time span closes that interval across tracks. With it off, other audio keeps its position. Audition the result and use Undo whenever needed. Drafts save automatically; original audio stays intact.

Work with transcripts.

On-device transcription requires macOS 26 or later and a supported speech model and language. macOS may need an internet connection to download the model.

For an existing file, use Import Audio, select it in Inbox, and choose Transcribe on this Mac. Choose the spoken language before starting; System language follows your Mac’s locale and does not automatically detect the audio language.

Enable Transcribe after recording before a take. Transcription runs in the background after saving, so you can start another recording. Check Activity for progress or errors.

Search the library for a word or phrase, then select a timed result to play that moment. In the editor’s Transcript tool, choose a track and select timed words to audition or edit a passage. Use Transcribe missing sources for imported audio without a transcript.

Export your audio.

Open a recording to export M4A or WAV. In the editor, open Export for edited mixes, stems, and finished copies.

M4A / AAC

A compact file for everyday sharing.

WAV

A widely supported format for audio editors and production tools.

Edited mix

Export the arrangement with its edits and processing. The editor also offers FLAC, Apple Lossless, and MP3 options.

Stems

Export sources separately, or export edited tracks at the full arrangement length for further mixing.

Use the editor’s finishing controls to preserve levels, normalize peaks, or choose a loudness target. A target may not be reachable within the selected peak ceiling. Converting an AAC recording to a lossless format does not restore detail lost during capture.

Library and backups.

Use folders and Smart Collections to find recent recordings, marked moments, or recordings needing transcription. Search looks through recording names and transcripts.

Open the library footer’s menu to back up recordings, transcripts, markers, source stems, and folders to a portable .tonepebblelibrary folder. Store a copy somewhere safe. Restoring creates new IDs for recordings already in the library, keeping the originals intact.

Moving a recording to Trash places its files in the macOS Trash. Emptying the Trash permanently removes them.

Choose light or dark mode.

Open TonePebble → Settings… or press ⌘,. Under Appearance, choose Light, Dark, or System.

The change applies immediately and is remembered when you reopen the app. System follows your Mac’s appearance; Light and Dark apply only to TonePebble.

Keyboard shortcuts.

Global recording shortcuts require TonePebble to be running. Configure them in Settings → Recording Shortcuts. Splitting a recording is unavailable while paused.

When something sounds off.

Your audio stays on your Mac.

Recordings, transcripts, and editing stay local. TonePebble has no account, advertising, or tracking. You choose when and where to export or share files.

macOS calls its permission Screen & System Audio Recording, but TonePebble saves audio only. Review or revoke access in System Settings → Privacy & Security. Obtain consent from people whose voices you record.

Still need help?

[email protected]

Before reporting a problem, note your macOS version, TonePebble version, selected audio sources, and the steps that reproduce it. Copy any error shown in Activity. Keep private recordings and transcripts out of public reports.