Dictate quietly and discreetly
Use Epilude in offices, cafés, and shared spaces without being overheard, using a close microphone and a soft voice.
You can dictate at a near-whisper and still get accurate text, as long as the microphone is close to your mouth. This makes Epilude practical in open offices, libraries, cafés, and anywhere you'd rather not be heard.
Use a close microphone
A microphone close to your mouth is the single biggest factor in quiet dictation. Wired earbuds or a headset with an inline mic sit a few inches from your mouth, so they pick up soft speech clearly and let background noise fade into the signal.
The built-in MacBook microphone works for quiet rooms, but it sits farther away, so you'll need to speak up more for it to hear you. For discreet use in public, a close mic is worth it.
Speak softly, not silently
A low, steady voice at a calm pace works well with a close mic. Keep your volume even instead of trailing off at the end of sentences, which is where quiet speech tends to get lost.
Whisper-friendly
With wired earbuds close to your mouth, even a near-whisper transcribes accurately. Background noise matters less because your voice dominates the signal.
Pick a discreet setup
| Setup | How discreet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wired earbuds with inline mic | Most discreet | Close mic, captures soft speech, nothing to hold |
| Wired headset | Discreet | Mic stays near your mouth, reliable and low latency |
| Built-in MacBook mic | Least discreet | Needs more volume to hear you in public |
Keep it subtle
Use push-to-talk, the default mode, so Epilude only listens while you hold the hotkey. That keeps you in control of exactly when audio is captured, instead of leaving dictation running. Short bursts also transcribe faster and are easier to keep quiet than long monologues.
Next steps
- Audio & microphone setup: recommended mics for each environment
- Adjusting your hotkeys: set a push-to-talk key that fits your hands
- Hands-free dictation: start and stop without holding a key