Basic Recording Guide

Learn how to record and transcribe voice dictation with StarWhisper. This guide covers the fundamentals of recording for optimal results.

Recording Methods

Click to Record

1. Click the violet recording circle to start
2. The circle turns yellow and begins pulsating
3. Speak clearly at normal volume
4. Click the circle again to stop
5. Wait for transcription to complete
6. Text is automatically copied to clipboard

Hotkey Recording

Press Ctrl + Space to toggle recording. This works from anywhere - no need to click the circle.

Recording States

State	Visual	Meaning
Idle	Violet circle	Ready to record
Recording	Yellow, pulsating	Actively listening
Processing	Blue, rainbow sweep	Transcribing audio
Complete	Brief green flash	Text copied, ready for paste

Best Practices for Recording

Speaking Technique

• Distance: 6-12 inches from microphone
• Pace: Moderate, steady speaking speed
• Volume: Normal speaking voice
• Clarity: Speak clearly, enunciate words

Environment Tips

• Find a quiet space (40dB or less background noise)
• Close windows and doors to reduce outside noise
• Turn off fans, air conditioning, or other noise sources
• Avoid rooms with lots of echo (add soft furnishings if needed)

Recording Length

Duration	Best Use	Tips
5-30 seconds	Quick notes, emails, short messages	Best accuracy, fast turnaround
30-60 seconds	Paragraphs, thoughts	Good accuracy, moderate speed
1-5 minutes	Meeting notes, longer documents	Acceptable accuracy, processing time
5-30 minutes	Long documents	Use file transcription for best results

Using Transcribed Text

Automatic Copy

After transcription completes:

1. Text is automatically copied to clipboard
2. A brief green flash confirms completion
3. Click where you want the text
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste

Cursor Position

For best results, click exactly where you want the text to appear before you start recording. StarWhisper will paste the transcribed text at your cursor location.

Quick Start Exercise

1. Open Notepad or any text editor
2. Click in the editor where you want text
3. Click the violet circle (or press Ctrl + Space)
4. Say: "Hello, this is a test of StarWhisper voice transcription."
5. Click again to stop
6. Wait for the green flash
7. Press Ctrl + V to paste

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Circle doesn't respond to click	Right-click circle, check "Window is visible"
No pulsation when speaking	Check microphone volume and permissions
Text not appearing	Wait for green flash, check clipboard
Poor accuracy	Speak louder/clearer, reduce background noise

Next Steps

• Choose the right AI model
• Enable GPU acceleration