Archived article: Getting Started with Sonicribe: Your Complete Guide

Introduction

Welcome to Sonicribe! If you've just downloaded our app or are considering making the switch to voice-to-text, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Installation

Installing Sonicribe is as simple as any other Mac app:

1. Download the app from our website

2. Open the downloaded DMG file

3. Drag Sonicribe to your Applications folder

4. Launch the app and grant microphone permissions

Sign in with a Google account and stay connected to the internet. Sonicribe Cloud requires an Apple Silicon Mac and uses account credits.

Read more: The Complete Guide to Offline Speech-to-Text on Mac in 2026

First-Time Setup

When you first launch Sonicribe, you'll be guided through a quick setup process:

Choose Your Speech and Writing Style

Open Styles and start with Exactly as spoken for a draft you will edit yourself. Under Voice → Speech transcription, choose the available speech model for that style. Models shows the listed services and credit rates.

For polished paragraphs, select Clean prose and choose a Text formatting model in Rewrite. Try Email, Message, or Work message for a task-specific format. A short sentence containing a name, a number, and a request gives you a useful first comparison.

Read more: Voice Coding with Sonicribe: Dictate to Cursor, VS Code & Any IDE

Set Your Hotkey

Open Settings → Shortcuts → Record shortcut. The default is ⇧ Z. Choose a comfortable combination and use it to start and finish a recording. Assign Change style separately when you want quick access to the style switcher.

Your First Dictation

Ready to try it out? Here's how:

1. Press your hotkey to start recording

2. Speak naturally - no need to slow down or over-enunciate

3. Press the hotkey again to stop

4. Wait for online processing, then review the transcription.

Read more: Choose Sonicribe Speech and Formatting Models

The text is automatically copied to your clipboard, so you can paste it anywhere.

Pro Tips

Use Custom Words

Keep recurring names, products, and specialist terms in Words → New word or sentence. Choose Add to word list, then organize related terms with New group. Select that group in a style's Voice → Word groups. Use Replace with... for a deliberate written replacement.

Prepare Automatic Paste

Allow Sonicribe in macOS Accessibility settings, then place your cursor in an editable field before recording. Your completed draft can appear in that destination. Use Transcripts to find and copy a saved result when you want to reuse it elsewhere.

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Try Different Styles

Exactly as spoken: A speech draft you can edit yourself
Clean prose: Polished general writing
Email: A message for a recipient and request you dictate
Work message: A clear status update with a next step
Your custom style: A repeatable note or recap format saved in Rewrite → Your instructions

For a custom note, create Styles → New style, choose a formatting model, and save the headings you want in Your instructions. Try the same short paragraph in two styles to see which format fits your writing.

Troubleshooting

Audio Not Working?

Make sure Sonicribe has microphone permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Microphone.

Text Not Appearing?

Check that you've granted Accessibility permissions for auto-paste functionality.

What's Next?

Now that you're set up, explore these advanced features:

Custom prompts for formatting
Multi-language support
Keyboard shortcuts
Integration with other apps

Happy dictating!

Getting Started with Sonicribe: Your Complete Guide

Introduction

Installation