> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hyperwhisper.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Transcribing System Audio

> How to transcribe meetings, videos, and other audio that plays on your computer.

HyperWhisper transcribes audio from your **microphone**. It does not capture system audio directly. System audio is the sound that comes from your speakers, for example Zoom calls, YouTube videos, and podcasts.

To transcribe audio that plays on your computer, you have two options.

## Option 1 — Use a virtual audio cable (recommended)

A virtual audio cable is a small driver. It makes a virtual microphone that captures your system audio. After you install the driver, you can select it as the input device for HyperWhisper. Then you can transcribe any audio that plays on your Mac or PC.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    The most popular free option is **[BlackHole](https://existential.audio/blackhole/)**. BlackHole is free and open source.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install BlackHole 2ch">
        Download BlackHole from [existential.audio/blackhole](https://existential.audio/blackhole/). Then run the installer.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create a Multi-Output Device">
        Open **Audio MIDI Setup** with Spotlight. Click **+**, then select **Create Multi-Output Device**. Select both your **Built-in Output** (or your speakers or headphones) and **BlackHole 2ch**.

        With this device, you hear the audio while BlackHole captures it.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Set the Multi-Output Device as your system output">
        Go to **System Settings → Sound → Output**. Select the new multi-output device.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Pick BlackHole as HyperWhisper's input">
        Click the HyperWhisper menu bar icon. Move the pointer over **Microphone**. Then select **BlackHole 2ch**. For more information, see [Select a Microphone or Audio Input Device](/docs/microphone-selection).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Record">
        While the audio plays, start a recording in HyperWhisper. The transcript contains the system audio.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Paid tools such as [Loopback](https://rogueamoeba.com/loopback/) give a simpler interface and per-app routing.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    If your audio device supplies **Stereo Mix**, the simplest option on Windows is to enable it:

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Enable Stereo Mix">
        Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar. Then select **Sounds → Recording**. Right-click an empty area and select **Show Disabled Devices**. Then right-click **Stereo Mix** and select **Enable**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Pick Stereo Mix as HyperWhisper's input">
        Right-click the HyperWhisper tray icon. Move the pointer over **Microphone**. Then select **Stereo Mix**. For more information, see [Select a Microphone or Audio Input Device](/docs/microphone-selection).
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    If your audio device does not supply Stereo Mix, use a virtual audio cable. Many new laptops do not supply Stereo Mix. Two free virtual audio cables are **[VB-Cable](https://vb-audio.com/Cable/)** and **[Voicemeeter](https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/)**. Voicemeeter is more flexible.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Option 2 — Transcribe a recording later

You can record the meeting or the video to a file, for example with the local recording function of Zoom, OBS, QuickTime, or a screen recorder. Then you can give the file to HyperWhisper directly:

* **macOS:** Click the menu bar icon. Select **Transcribe File**. Then select your audio file or video file.
* **Windows:** Right-click the tray icon. Select **Transcribe File**. Then select your `.wav`, `.mp3`, or `.m4a` file.

For the full procedure, the supported formats, and the file-size limits of each provider, see [Transcribe a File](/docs/file-transcription).

<Note>
  Native system-audio capture without a virtual cable is on our roadmap. A message to [hi@support.hyperwhisper.com](mailto:hi@support.hyperwhisper.com) tells us that this feature is important to you, and it helps us to set our priorities.
</Note>