Consistently mis-transcribed initial sentence

[jackielii]

🐛 Bug Report

Describe the bug

VoiceInk consistently misses or incorrectly transcribes the first few words when I start speaking. After the initial words, transcription becomes stable and accurate. This happens at the beginning of each speaking session.

To Reproduce

1. Open VoiceInk
2. Start transcription
3. Observe that the first 2-3 words are either:
   • Missing entirely from the transcription
   • Transcribed incorrectly
4. Continue speaking and notice that subsequent transcription is stable and accurate

Expected behavior

VoiceInk should accurately capture and transcribe all words from the very beginning of speech, including the first few words spoken.

Screenshots

If applicable, add screenshots to help explain your problem.

📋 IMPORTANT: System Information

Copy the system information from VoiceInk's Dashboard tab (there's a copy button 📋 next to the "Feedback or Issues?" button) and paste it here. This includes all technical details needed for debugging.

=== VOICEINK SYSTEM INFORMATION ===
Generated: 10 November 2025 at 14:54:43

APP INFORMATION:
App Version: 1.61
Build Version: 161
License Status: Licensed (Pro)

OPERATING SYSTEM:
macOS Version: Version 15.6.1 (Build 24G90)

HARDWARE INFORMATION:
Device Model: Mac15,14
CPU: Apple M3 Ultra
Memory: 256 GB
Architecture: Apple Silicon (ARM64)

AUDIO SETTINGS:
Input Mode: System Default
Current Audio Device: System Default
Available Audio Devices: Insta360 Link 2C, Microsoft Teams Audio

HOTKEY SETTINGS:
Primary Hotkey: Custom
Secondary Hotkey: None

TRANSCRIPTION SETTINGS:
Selected Model: Large v3
Selected Language: en
AI Enhancement: Disabled
AI Provider: Gemini
AI Model: Default (Gemini)

PERMISSIONS:
Accessibility: Granted
Screen Recording: Granted
Microphone: Granted

Logs and Error Messages

Include any error messages, logs, or crash reports (upload large crash files as attachments):

Additional Context

• Frequency: Happens most of the time when I start speaking
• Impact: Affects transcription accuracy - missing initial words can change the meaning of sentences or require manual correction

Pattern Details:

• Only the first few words (approximately 2-3 words) in the first sentence are affected
• Problem occurs at the start of each speaking session
• Transcription quality becomes consistently stable after initial words
• No ongoing issues with mid-speech or later transcription

Models Tested:

• Large V3 - experiences this issue
• Large Turbo - experiences this issue
• Large Turbo Quantized - experiences this issue
• Issue appears to be consistent across all tested models

Hardware Tested:

• Tested with multiple different microphones
• Issue persists across all microphone hardware tested

Before submitting:

• [x] I have checked existing issues to avoid duplicates
• [x] I have tried restarting VoiceInk and my Mac
• [x] I have included all relevant environment and configuration details

Thank you for helping make VoiceInk better! 🙏

[jackielii]

I continue to get frustrated at this. It looks like there is always a mic warmup time, like the first word, or the first few words are not registered, i.e. probably flat waveform.

I'm using a not so cheap external mic: Insta360 Link 2C

[zsidnam]

I am consistently running into this as well. I don't remember this happening in previous versions; it seems like it is a relatively new issue.