Choose and test your microphone

Select the input device Nock records from, check its level, and resolve microphone access problems.

Choose the input used for dictation and spoken agent requests in Settings → General → Microphone & speaker → Microphone. Auto select is the default and follows the system’s current input. You can also choose a named microphone, headset, or audio interface.

Test the input

Select the device you want to use.
Choose Test microphone.
Speak and watch the level meter. Nock records a short sample and plays it back so you can check how it sounds.
If the level does not move, check that the microphone is connected, unmuted, and selected as the input.

The test sample is played back on your computer and then removed. If you are unsure which input is yours, you can ask Nock to check which connected microphone hears you; it shows the detected levels and asks before switching devices.

If the chosen device is unavailable, Nock temporarily uses the system default while keeping your saved choice. It will use that device again when it is available.

Allow microphone access

Mac: Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and enable access for Nock.
Windows: Open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone. Enable microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone.

After changing permission, restart the test or begin a new recording. If other apps cannot hear you either, check the computer’s sound input settings and physical mute switch.

Recognition is a separate setting

Choosing a microphone controls where audio is captured; it does not determine where speech is recognized. Depending on your voice settings, audio can be processed by an on-device recognizer or sent to a cloud recognition provider. See Voice settings, Local dictation, and Privacy controls.