Video Quality
Choose your quality level:
- Low – Smaller file sizes
- Medium – Balanced quality
- High – Maximum visual clarity
Step 1: Set Your Capture Area
Choose what part of your screen to record.
Select Your Recording Region
In the main interface, choose from four capture options:
- Full Screen – Captures your entire display at native resolution
- HD 1080p – Records a 1920×1080 region, ideal for standard HD delivery
- Custom – Specify exact pixel dimensions for specialized workflows
- App Window – Automatically tracks and captures a selected application window
Step 2: Configure Video & Audio
Fine-tune your recording quality and audio inputs.
Frame Rate
Select your frame rate:
- 24 fps – Cinematic look
- 30 fps – Standard video
- 60 fps – Smooth motion
Audio Inputs
Configure your audio sources:
- Select your microphone input
- Toggle system audio capture
- Choose Low, Medium, or High audio quality
- Monitor levels to avoid clipping
Step 3: Set Up Your Webcam
Choose how your webcam appears in recordings.
Overlay Mode
Webcam appears as a customizable floating window composited directly into your screen recording. Perfect for quick tutorials and presentations.
- Choose circle or rectangle frame
- Add borders and effects
- Position anywhere on screen
- Toggle full-screen presenter mode
Separate File Mode
Records webcam to a synchronized, high-quality video file alongside your screen recording—ideal for professional multi-camera editing.
- Codec: H.265 (HEVC) or ProRes 422
- Resolution: Auto, 720p, 1080p, or 4K
- Preview window before recording
- Files perfectly synchronized
Mirror & Sync
Customize your webcam appearance and audio preferences.
- Toggle horizontal mirroring
- Settings saved per camera
- Real-time preview updates
- Auto-sync camera audio input
Step 4: Master Keyboard Shortcuts
Use hotkeys to control recordings without breaking your flow.
Default Shortcuts
- ⌘⌥R – Start/Stop Recording
- ⌘⌥T – New Take (saves current recording and starts fresh)
- ⌘⌥. – Stop Recording
- ⌘⇧W – Toggle Webcam Presentation Mode
All shortcuts are fully customizable in PowerCord's preferences.
Efficient Workflow
- Press
⌘⌥Rto start recording - If you make a mistake, press
⌘⌥Tfor a new take - PowerCord saves the previous recording and immediately starts a fresh one
- When finished, press
⌘⌥.to stop
Advanced Features for Professionals
Take your recordings to the next level with these pro tools.
Take Clapper
Displays a visual and audio sync marker at the start of your recording—perfect for multi-camera workflows.
In post-production, align the clapper's audio spike and visual flash across all tracks for frame-accurate synchronization.
Show Mouse Clicks
Visualize every click with an animated highlight—essential for software tutorials and UI walkthroughs.
Helps viewers follow exactly what you're clicking during demonstrations.
ProRes Webcam Recording
Record your webcam to a separate ProRes 422 file for broadcast-quality multi-camera editing.
- Minimal compression artifacts
- Excellent color fidelity
- Perfect synchronization with screen recording
- Import both files for advanced editing
Professional Workflow Example
Combine these features for broadcast-quality content creation.
- Set capture area to Full Screen or HD 1080p
- Choose High quality at 30 fps or 60 fps
- Enable Separate Webcam File with ProRes 422 codec at 1080p or 4K
- Turn on Take Clapper for sync markers
- Enable Show Mouse Clicks for instructional clarity
- Use ⌘⌥R to start recording
- Use ⌘⌥T to quickly capture multiple takes
- Import both screen and webcam files into Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Adobe Premiere
- Sync using the clapper marker, then edit with complete creative control
Why This Matters: Separate high-quality webcam files give you complete creative control in post-production. Adjust framing, apply independent color correction, and create dynamic picture-in-picture effects that would be impossible with baked-in overlays.
Ready to Create?
Now that you understand PowerCord's professional workflow, you're equipped to produce high-quality recordings with speed and confidence.