Speak up.
Volume down.
A tiny menu bar app for MacOS that smoothly ducks your volume during dictation without breaking your music or podcast flow.
Download free
Widely
compatible
Customisable
duck & fade
Menu bar
application
FAQs
What does Volume Duck do?
Volume Duck automatically lowers your Mac's audio output when you hold your dictation hotkey, then smoothly fades it back in when you release. It's perfect for keeping music or podcasts playing while you dictate.
Does it work with external audio devices?
No, it does not currently work with external audio devices, though we are actively working on an implementation to enable this. It is proving to be more difficult than anticipated.
What permissions does it need?
macOS will ask for Input Monitoring or Accessibility permission so the app can listen for your hotkey. Just grant the permission and reopen the app if needed.
Is it free?
Yes, Volume Duck is completely free to download and use.