Microphone
Pick a microphone, or let Glaido choose one for you.
Let Glaido pick a microphone, or lock it to one device. Both options are in Settings > Dictation.
Microphone selection
Recommended for most users.
On macOS, Auto-detect doesn't just follow your system default. It picks the device most likely to give you clean speech, in this order:
- Your system default, if Bluetooth is allowed and the default is a Bluetooth device. This is what keeps AirPods working when you switch routes.
- A connected wired device that isn't the built-in mic and has earpods, headset, headphones, or usb in its name.
- Your system default. Bluetooth defaults are skipped here when you haven't allowed them.
- Its previous pick, as long as that device is still connected and still external.
Two kinds of device never win. iPhone and iPad microphones offered through Continuity are excluded, because reaching for them can wake the microphone interface on the phone. Virtual and aggregate devices such as BlackHole and Soundflower are filtered out of the list entirely, so you won't see them in the dropdown either.
The dropdown shows the resolved device as Auto-detect (name). When the picked device is no longer in the list, the entry falls back to plain Auto-detect.
Windows works differently. There's no Bluetooth or Continuity detection, so auto-detect takes your system default and falls back to the first available device. The Include Bluetooth devices toggle has no effect there.
For dedicated recording setups.
If you always use one microphone, like a USB condenser mic, lock Glaido to it so it doesn't switch when your system default changes.
- Open Settings > Dictation
- Click the microphone dropdown
- Select your preferred device from the list
Bluetooth microphones
By default, auto-detect skips Bluetooth microphones because they can take longer to start and usually record at lower quality. To let auto-detect consider them, turn on Include Bluetooth devices in Settings > Dictation.
That row only appears while the microphone is set to Auto-detect. If you've locked a static device, it's hidden.
Bluetooth quality
Picking a Bluetooth device straight from the dropdown opens a confirmation dialog, Use Bluetooth microphone?, warning that Bluetooth microphones can take longer to start and usually have lower transcription quality. Click Use anyway to continue. Flipping the Include Bluetooth devices toggle doesn't ask.
Noise reduction
Noise reduction is always on. There's nothing to configure.
Tips for better audio
- Use a headset or dedicated microphone. Built-in laptop mics pick up more ambient noise.
- Position the microphone close to your mouth. 6 to 12 inches is ideal.
- Minimize background noise. Close windows, mute other audio sources. You can also turn on Mute background in Settings > Dictation under Behavior to quiet other apps while recording. On Windows the same setting is called Mute system audio.
- Avoid Bluetooth if possible. Wired connections provide higher audio quality and lower latency.