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Sonova

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Basic Usage

Q1. What is Sonova?

A1. Sonova is a professional audio recording app for Mac that captures system audio and microphone input in high quality (48kHz stereo). Perfect for podcasts, gameplay recording, meeting archives, and more.

Q2. What can I record with Sonova?

A2. You can record:

– System audio (music, videos, games, video calls)

– Your microphone (voice, commentary)

– Both system audio and microphone simultaneously

Q3. How do I start recording?

A3.

  1. Grant the required permissions (Screen Recording, optionally Microphone)

  2. Click the large record button

  3. Click stop when finished

  4. Your recording is automatically saved

Q4. Where are my recordings saved?

A4. By default, recordings are saved to your Documents folder. You can change the save location in Settings. If “Organize by date” is enabled, recordings are automatically sorted into date-based folders.

Permissions

Q5. Why does Sonova need “Screen Recording” permission?

A5. macOS requires Screen Recording permission to capture system audio. Despite the name, Sonova only captures audio – no video or screen content is recorded. This is an Apple requirement for system audio access.

Q6. How do I grant Screen Recording permission?

A6.

  1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording (or “System Audio Recording Only” on newer macOS)

  2. Click the “+” button

  3. Select Sonova from your Applications

  4. Turn on the toggle for Sonova

  5. Restart Sonova if prompted

Q7. Sonova doesn’t appear in Screen Recording settings

A7. On macOS 15 and later, look for “System Audio Recording Only” instead of “Screen Recording”. Click the “+” button to manually add Sonova.

Q8. Do I need microphone permission?

A8. Microphone permission is optional. You only need it if you want to record your voice alongside system audio. You can skip this permission if you only need system audio.

Recording

Q9. What audio format does Sonova use?

A9. Sonova records in M4A format (AAC codec) at 48kHz/24-bit stereo – broadcast quality suitable for professional use.

Q10. Recording isn’t working

A10. Please check:

  1. Screen Recording permission is granted and enabled

  2. System audio is playing (test with music or video)

  3. System volume is not muted

  4. Restart Sonova after granting permissions

Q11. My recordings have no sound

A11.

– Ensure the audio source is actually playing

– Check that system volume is up

– Verify Screen Recording permission is enabled

– Some DRM-protected content may not be recordable

Q12. Can I adjust recording quality?

A12. Sonova automatically records at optimal quality (48kHz stereo). This provides broadcast-quality audio while keeping file sizes reasonable.

Q13. How long can I record?

A13.

– Free version: Limited recording time per session

– Full version: Unlimited recording time

– Storage space on your Mac is the only limit for full version

Microphone

Q14. How do I record my voice?

A14.

  1. Grant microphone permission when prompted (or in System Settings)

  2. Select your microphone from the dropdown menu

  3. Adjust the microphone volume slider

  4. Start recording – your voice will be mixed with system audio

Q15. Can I mute the microphone temporarily?

A15. Yes! Click the mute button next to the microphone slider. This lets you stop your voice recording without stopping the system audio capture.

Q16. Which microphones are supported?

A16. Sonova supports all microphones recognized by macOS, including:

– Built-in Mac microphones

– USB microphones

– Audio interface microphones

– Bluetooth headset microphones

Purchases

Q17. What’s the difference between Free and Full version?

A17.

| Feature | Free | Full Version |

|———|——|————–|

| System Audio Recording | ✓ (time limited) | ✓ Unlimited |

| Microphone Recording | ✓ (time limited) | ✓ Unlimited |

| 48kHz Stereo Quality | ✓ | ✓ |

| Price | Free | $0.99 (one-time) |

Q18. How do I upgrade to Full Version?

A18. In the app, go to Settings and tap “Upgrade to Full Version”. The purchase is processed through the App Store and permanently unlocks all features.

Q19. Is the Full Version a subscription?

A19. No! It’s a one-time purchase. Pay once and enjoy unlimited recording forever. No recurring charges.

Q20. Can I restore my purchase on a new Mac?

A20. Yes! Go to Settings → “Restore Purchases”. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID used for the original purchase.

Q21. Can I get a refund?

A21. Refunds are handled by Apple. Contact Apple Support through the App Store to request a refund.

Troubleshooting

Q22. App crashes on launch

A22. Try these steps:

  1. Restart your Mac

  2. Update to the latest version of Sonova

  3. Update macOS to the latest version

  4. Delete and reinstall Sonova

Q23. High CPU usage during recording

A23. This can happen with:

– Very long recording sessions

– Multiple audio sources

– Running many other apps

Try closing unnecessary apps during recording.

Q24. Recording file is corrupted

A24. This can happen if:

– The app crashes during recording

– Your Mac runs out of storage

– The system shuts down unexpectedly

Unfortunately, corrupted recordings usually cannot be recovered. Always ensure sufficient storage space before long recordings.

Q25. Settings aren’t saving

A25. Check that Sonova has permission to write to its preferences. Try:

  1. Quit Sonova completely

  2. Restart Sonova

  3. Change settings again

Privacy & Security

Q26. Does Sonova upload my recordings?

A26. No. All recordings are stored locally on your Mac. Sonova never uploads, transmits, or accesses your audio files. Your recordings are completely private.

Q27. What data does Sonova collect?

A27. Sonova collects minimal data:

– Purchase status (via Apple)

– App settings (stored locally)

– Crash reports (if enabled in macOS)

We do not collect personal information or recording content.

Q28. Is Sonova safe to use?

A28. Yes. Sonova is:

– Sandboxed for security

– Notarized by Apple

– Available on the official Mac App Store

– Privacy-focused with local-only storage

Technical

Q29. System requirements?

A29.

– macOS 15.0 (Sequoia) or later

– Apple Silicon or Intel Mac

– Sufficient storage for recordings

Q30. Why macOS 15 minimum?

A30. Sonova uses Apple’s latest ScreenCaptureKit APIs for high-quality system audio capture. These features require macOS 15 or later.

Q31. Can I use Sonova offline?

A31. Yes! Sonova works completely offline. No internet connection is required for recording. Internet is only needed for the initial purchase and restore purchases.

Q32. File size estimation?

A32. Approximate file sizes for 48kHz stereo M4A:

– 1 minute ≈ 1-2 MB

– 1 hour ≈ 60-120 MB

– Quality settings affect final size

Contact

Q33. How do I contact support?

A33.

– Email: support@artjunkie.co.jp

– Website: https://artjunkie.app

We typically respond within 1-3 business days.

Q34. How do I report a bug?

A34. Email us at support@artjunkie.co.jp with:

– Description of the issue

– Steps to reproduce

– Your macOS version

– Screenshots if applicable

—

Didn’t find your answer? Contact us at support@artjunkie.co.jp

Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Sonova - FAQ