Microphone Test
Before judging any dictation app, make sure the microphone is actually working. This test runs in your browser and shows live input level without uploading audio to Unspoken.
Check your microphone
Click start, allow microphone access, and speak normally.
How to use this result
If the meter does not move, check browser permission, macOS microphone permission, and selected input device. If it is always high, the input may be clipping or the room may be noisy. If it barely moves when you speak, raise input gain or move closer to the microphone.
Dictation quality starts before the speech model. A bad input signal can make even strong tools feel unreliable.
Next step after the mic test
Once the mic works, test dictation with one real paragraph in the app where you write. Use a normal Mac workflow, not a perfect demo sentence.
FAQ
Does this microphone test upload audio?
No. The meter runs in your browser using the Web Audio API. It does not send audio to Unspoken.
Why does dictation fail with a working microphone?
The input may be too quiet, the wrong device may be selected, the room may be noisy, or the app may not have microphone permission.
What level should I aim for?
Normal speech should move the meter clearly without staying pinned at the top. If it barely moves, choose another input or raise input gain.
Where does Unspoken fit?
Unspoken needs a reliable microphone signal for local-first dictation. Test your mic first, then try real writing tasks.
Try private dictation on Mac
Unspoken is built for local-first voice-to-text when you want to speak the rough draft, keep private writing close, and edit in the apps you already use.
Download Unspoken