Audio Issues

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Microphone not detected

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Symptoms

• No audio input shown in Hermes
• “No microphone found” message
• Audio meter shows no activity

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Fixes

Check system audio settings:

1. Go to System Settings → Sound → Input
2. Make sure a microphone is selected
3. Speak and verify the input level meter moves

Check Hermes microphone settings:

1. Go to Settings → Dictation → Microphone
2. Try setting to Auto first
3. If Auto doesn’t work, manually select your microphone

Check physical connection:

• USB microphones: Try a different port
• Bluetooth: Make sure it’s connected and selected
• Built-in: Make sure nothing is covering the mic

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Wrong microphone being used

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Symptoms

• Hermes uses built-in mic instead of external
• Audio quality is poor
• Picks up background noise

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Fixes

Set preferred microphone:

1. Go to Settings → Dictation → Microphone
2. Change Preferred Mode to Manual
3. Select your preferred microphone

Microphone modes:

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Audio is too quiet

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Symptoms

• Hermes can’t hear you
• Only picks up when you speak loudly
• Misses words frequently

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Fixes

Increase input volume:

1. Go to System Settings → Sound → Input
2. Increase the Input volume slider
3. Speak at normal volume and check the level meter

Speak closer to microphone:

• Position mic closer to your mouth
• External mics typically work better

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Audio is too sensitive

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Symptoms

• Picks up background noise
• Triggers on non-speech sounds
• Records when you’re not speaking

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Fixes

Use a directional microphone:

• Cardioid mics pick up sound from one direction
• Reduces background noise

Reduce ambient noise:

• Close windows
• Turn off fans/AC if possible
• Use noise-canceling microphones

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Bluetooth microphone issues

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Symptoms

• AirPods or Bluetooth headset not working
• Audio cuts out
• Delay in transcription

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Fixes

Check connection:

1. Go to System Settings → Bluetooth
2. Make sure your device is connected
3. Try disconnecting and reconnecting

Select as input:

1. Go to System Settings → Sound → Input
2. Select your Bluetooth device as input

Configure Hermes:

1. Go to Settings → Dictation → Microphone
2. Set Preferred Mode to AirPods or Headphones

Bluetooth audio quirks:

• Bluetooth may add slight latency
• Audio quality may be lower than wired
• Some devices have separate call vs media modes

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Audio feedback or echo

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Symptoms

• Hermes picks up its own output
• Echo in transcription
• Looping audio

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Fixes

Mute speakers during dictation:

1. Go to Settings → Dictation
2. Enable Mute Speakers During Dictation

Use headphones:

• Prevents mic from picking up speaker output
• Better quality overall

Reduce speaker volume:

• Lower system volume when dictating
• Use headphones for audio playback

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Recording cuts off too early

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Symptoms

• Dictation ends before you finish speaking
• Only captures first few words
• Stops during pauses

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Fixes

Use double-tap:

• Double-tap your hotkey for hands-free mode
• Tap once to stop instead of releasing

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Still having audio issues?

1. Test in other apps — Try Voice Memos or QuickTime to verify mic works
2. Try a different microphone — Rule out hardware issues
3. Restart Hermes — Clears audio session state
4. Restart your Mac — Resets system audio