VoiceInk microphone settings: fix the wrong mic, rank your devices, and quiet other audio
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
When VoiceInk records from the wrong microphone, or gets worse after you plug in a headset, the fix is in its Audio view. You can pin one microphone, or give VoiceInk a ranked list so it falls back in the order you choose. The same view controls the sounds it plays and whether music pauses while you talk.
I built YapToText, a dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about VoiceInk with that in mind. Every fact about VoiceInk here comes from its own docs, read on October 11, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Pin one microphone
Selected Microphone ties VoiceInk to a single input.
- System Default. Uses whatever microphone is selected in macOS.
- A specific device. Records from that microphone only.
- Not listed. Click Refresh Microphones after connecting a new one.
Rank several with Priority Order
Priority Order is a ranked list. VoiceInk uses the first device in it that is available, and moves to the next when an earlier one is disconnected. The docs suggest it when you move between a desk microphone, a headset and the Mac's built-in microphone. The Audio view shows which devices are active or unavailable, so you can see what it will use.
Right microphone, poor results
- Open System Settings, Sound, Input.
- Select the same microphone.
- Speak and check that the input level moves.
VoiceInk's docs recommend the Mac's built-in microphone or a dedicated external one. They note that many wireless headset microphones are tuned for calls and can give lower quality audio for transcription. The microphone guide goes into choosing one.
Sounds, muting and pausing
From VoiceInk's docs, Audio Input, read October 11, 2026.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Recording Sounds | A sound when recording starts and stops: built in, your own audio file, or off |
| Mute Audio While Recording | Mutes system audio so other apps are less likely to leak into the microphone |
| Pause Media While Recording | Pauses playing media and resumes it afterward |
| Resume Delay | Waits 0 to 5 seconds before audio or media comes back |
The same settings in YapToText
VoiceInk from its docs, read October 11, 2026. YapToText from its own settings.
| VoiceInk | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a microphone | Selected Microphone | Settings, General, Microphone, or the Input picker in the menu bar |
| If it is unplugged | Priority Order picks the next one | Falls back to the system default |
| Level | Set it in macOS | An input boost with a live meter, and a warning when your signal drops below your normal |
| Other audio | Mute or pause while recording | Pauses media while you dictate |
| Bluetooth | Wireless headset microphones can lower quality | Says the Mac's own microphone hears better |
VoiceInk not working covers the other common faults.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Wrong microphone. Audio, Selected Microphone.
- Several devices. Priority Order.
- New device missing. Refresh Microphones.
- Poor accuracy. Check the level in System Settings, Sound, Input.
- Music leaking in. Mute or pause while recording.
If VoiceInk changes its audio settings, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/audio-input (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
How do I change the microphone in VoiceInk?
Open the Audio view and use Selected Microphone to pick System Default or a specific device.
Why is VoiceInk using the wrong microphone?
It follows Selected Microphone or your Priority Order. Pin the device you want, or move it to the top of the list.
Can VoiceInk switch microphones automatically?
Yes. Priority Order uses the first available device in your ranked list and falls back when one disconnects.
Can VoiceInk pause music while I dictate?
Yes. Pause Media While Recording pauses it and resumes afterward, and Mute Audio While Recording mutes system audio.
Which microphone works best with VoiceInk?
Its docs recommend the Mac's built-in microphone or a dedicated external one over wireless headset microphones.