Check Your Microphone Before You Dictate

When a draft contains missing words, check the audio input before changing writing instructions. A disconnected headset, the wrong microphone, or a blocked permission can prevent useful speech from reaching recognition. Sonicribe provides a device selector and a short microphone test to help you establish that input first.

This setup is especially useful after connecting a new headset or moving between a desk and a laptop. A small test sentence takes less effort than discovering a problem after dictating a long paragraph.

Choose and test the input

• Open Settings and find Microphone.
• Select the intended Input device, or leave Default Microphone to follow the system's default input.
• Open Settings → Listening and click Test mic.
• Speak at your normal volume while watching the test meter.
• Make a short ordinary recording and review the transcription.

The meter confirms that the test is receiving a signal; it does not certify the accuracy of every word. Test with a sentence containing the names or terms you use, and check those details in the result.

If the test is silent, use Privacy to inspect macOS permission and Sound settings to check the system input device and level. Reconnect the microphone if necessary, then test again. These buttons open system settings; they do not capture sound from other apps.

Decide how to handle quiet spans

In Settings → Listening, Trim quiet pauses is on by default. It prepares audio before upload by removing qualifying quiet spans. This can reduce unnecessary uploaded duration, but it is not general noise cancellation and does not guarantee a particular credit saving.

If a quiet spoken word seems missing, test a short sample with the setting off and compare what you hear and read. Speak clearly at a steady distance from the microphone. Avoid treating trimming as a way to fix a microphone that is barely receiving your voice.

Adjust the recording cues

Start and stop chimes is on by default, with Volume initially at 80%. Use these cues if they help you notice recording transitions. Turn them off or lower their volume if they interrupt your work or disturb the room.

The sound-effects volume changes the cues, not the microphone's recording gain. If your input is too quiet, use the system input settings and microphone placement. Do not rely on a visible automatic-volume setting as proof that Sonicribe will increase the recorded signal.

Change one thing at a time

Keep the style and test sentence consistent while checking an audio issue. Confirm the device, permission, and level before changing language or vocabulary settings. Once the audio works, vocabulary and replacements can address recurring names and spellings.

The microphone and Sound instructions provide the exact control reference for this setup.