Docs / Audio & Microphone / Automatic Device Switching

Automatic Device Switching

(New in 1.6) Murmur's audio capture was rebuilt so that changing your microphone no longer breaks a recording. Connect AirPods, unplug a USB interface, swap headsets, or hit a brief interruption — dictation, voice notes, meetings, and teleprompter tracking all keep going.

What you'll see

When the input device changes mid-recording, Murmur briefly re-acquires audio from the new device. During that short gap it shows a subtle status so you know what's happening:

  • In the dictation and notes indicator: "Reacquiring audio…"
  • In the menu bar: "Reacquiring"
  • In a meeting: "Reacquiring audio source"

The status clears the instant real audio arrives from the new device, and recording continues. A quick switch (for example to your built-in mic) is fast enough that you may not see the indicator at all.

Why this is a big deal

Previously, an audio device change during recording could stop the session outright — a real hazard when AirPods decide to connect in the middle of a meeting, or a cable is nudged loose. Now the recording rides through it:

  • Connecting AirPods mid-recording doesn't hijack your session. New devices join the bottom of your microphone priority ladder, so if a higher-ranked mic (like the built-in) is still available, Murmur keeps using it.
  • Unplugging the active mic makes Murmur fall to the next available device on your ladder (or the system default), padding the tiny gap so the stream never tears down.
  • Bluetooth switching is given a moment to settle before Murmur re-points — Bluetooth headsets take a second or two to negotiate their microphone mode, and Murmur waits that out instead of thrashing.

Where it applies

The same hardened capture engine backs every recording surface: dictation, voice notes, meetings, and teleprompter tracking. Meetings additionally show a live warning if audio stalls or the disk can't keep up — see Recording a Meeting.

Related