Record a meeting
import DataBoundary from ‘../../../components/DataBoundary.astro’;
Outcome
Section titled “Outcome”You create a microphone recording session that enters the standard conversion, transcription, and summary workflow when stopped.
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”- An installed Whisper model, or a network connection to download it when prompted.
- Microphone permission for Synthezia.
- If you want the beta macOS system-audio path, Screen Recording permission for Synthezia.
- Permission from people being recorded and compliance with the policies and laws that apply to your situation.
Recommended Bluetooth setup
Section titled “Recommended Bluetooth setup”When you listen to a meeting through Bluetooth headphones, use the headphones as your macOS Output and use the MacBook microphone or a USB microphone as Synthezia’s Input. Bluetooth headset microphones can switch some devices to a call-oriented audio profile that may affect meeting audio.
In Settings > Recording audio, leave the microphone set to Automatic — Recommended unless you need a specific input. Synthezia uses Core Audio device metadata to avoid a Bluetooth microphone when a built-in or non-Bluetooth microphone is available. It does not change the macOS system-wide input setting.
- Optional: open Settings > Recording audio to review the selected microphone. Choose Automatic — Recommended for the safe default, or choose an available USB microphone explicitly.
- Select Record audio in the title bar or press Cmd+R.
- Grant microphone access when macOS asks. Use the application’s permission controls to open macOS settings when access was previously denied.
- For system audio, grant Screen Recording access in macOS settings, then completely quit Synthezia with Cmd+Q and reopen it before retrying.
- Confirm the recording view shows an elapsed timer, input-level meter, and the microphone Synthezia is using.
- Select Stop Recording when you are finished. Synthezia converts the recording and starts transcription automatically.
Expected result
Section titled “Expected result”The session follows the same local processing path as an imported file. If a saved microphone is unavailable, Synthezia selects a safe available input and shows a non-blocking notice. If only a Bluetooth microphone is available, recording continues with a warning that meeting audio may be affected. If system-audio capture cannot start, Synthezia keeps recording the microphone and shows a visible microphone-only notice.
Data boundary
Section titled “Data boundary”Capture is local. Local transcription is separate from any later optional External API summary or chat request.
Common problems
Section titled “Common problems”- No microphone input: open macOS Microphone settings from Synthezia, enable access, then start a new recording.
- Bluetooth headphones affect the call: keep Bluetooth headphones as the macOS output and select Automatic — Recommended, the MacBook microphone, or a USB microphone in Settings > Recording audio. Selecting a Bluetooth microphone requires confirmation because its behavior can vary by device and meeting app.
- System audio is skipped: check Screen Recording access, quit and reopen the app, then retry. The microphone-only result remains usable.
- The recording fails to start: preserve the error and use an imported test file to separate a capture-permission issue from model setup.