Follow these guidelines to improve transcription accuracy and reliability across all your recording scenarios.
Specify Your Language
Avoid using “Auto-detect” for short recordings. When language is set to auto-detect, the transcription provider needs enough audio to determine which language you’re speaking. For shorter recordings (under 10–15 seconds), there may not be enough speech data for reliable detection.
This can cause several problems:
- Nonsense output – The model may transcribe your speech as a completely different language, producing gibberish
- Empty results – The provider may return no text at all if it can’t confidently identify the language
- Inconsistent behavior – The same short phrase may transcribe correctly sometimes and fail other times
Create separate modes for each language you use regularly. This gives you the best accuracy while keeping switching easy via the mode picker or keyboard shortcuts.
Speak Clearly and Naturally
- Maintain a consistent distance from your microphone
- Avoid background noise when possible
- Speak at a natural pace—rushing can reduce accuracy
- Pause briefly between sentences for cleaner punctuation
Use Custom Vocabulary
Add frequently used terms, names, and acronyms to your vocabulary list. This helps with:
- Proper nouns and company names
- Technical jargon and industry terms
- Unusual spellings or brand names
- Common abbreviations you want expanded
Choose the Right Model
- Cloud models (Deepgram, OpenAI, Groq) offer the best accuracy for most use cases
- Local models provide privacy and work offline but may be less accurate for specialized vocabulary
- Larger local models generally produce better results but require more processing time
Use a Dedicated Microphone
A dedicated microphone significantly improves transcription accuracy. Built-in laptop microphones pick up more background noise—keyboard typing, fans, air conditioning, and ambient sounds—which makes it harder for all transcription providers to isolate your voice.
The more background noise in your recording, the more the speech-to-text model has to work to distinguish your words from everything else. This affects every provider equally, whether you’re using cloud services or local models.
Good options include:
- USB microphones – Easy to set up, good quality (e.g., Blue Yeti, Audio-Technica ATR2100x)
- Headset microphones – Keep a consistent distance from your mouth
- Lavalier/lapel mics – Great for mobile use or when you move around
Even an inexpensive USB microphone will typically outperform your Mac’s built-in microphone for transcription accuracy.
Optimize Your Recording Environment
- Test your microphone input level to ensure HyperWhisper can hear you clearly
- Minimize background noise—close windows, turn off fans, and avoid typing while recording
- Reduce echo by recording in carpeted rooms or spaces with soft furnishings
- Position your microphone 6–12 inches from your mouth for the best signal-to-noise ratio
