[BUG] audio recording issue. Microphone initialize twice

[kopach]

Bug Description

When starting a new recording, the microphone appears to initialize twice in rapid succession. This is visibly noticeable in the UI as the microphone activation indicator blinks and then re-initiates.

The main problem caused by this double initialization is a slight delay. If I speak immediately after hitting the Transcribe Shortcut, my very first word is often cut half in the recording.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Hit the "Transcribe" shortcut.
2. Immediately begin speaking.
3. Stop the recording and play it back.
4. Note that the first word is either missing or cut after around 1 sec

UI showed a double-initialization blink.

System Information

App Version:
v0.7.11
Operating System:
macOS 26.3.1

[cjpais]

Does this happen every time and is this using the push to talk mode? Just curious. Can you also provide a log?

What microphone is being used? I'm not really able to replicate on my own machine.

[kopach]

Happens every time for me. In both push to talk and "toggle" mode.
I have Mac Book built in microphone selected. but It doesn't really matter, I've tried to switch
Here are logs.

handy.log

[cjpais]

@VirenMohindra @tanshkoul

[tanshkoul]

Couldn't reproduce on 0.7.11 or 0.7.12. Taking a look. Will get back.

[VirenMohindra]

same ^ can't replicate on both .11 or .12, tried a combination of short and long transcriptions with post processing enabled

[VirenMohindra]

curious, what key have you set up to transcribe w Handy? @kopach

[kopach]

I have had it set to Ctrl + Space, but now reset to default - same result.

Anyway, I think I have found the issue. I have had option "Mute While Recording" enabled. When disabled - no issue.
On the other hand, when enabled + "Audio Feedback" enabled - the issue even more visible.

[cjpais]

Thanks for the update @kopach

Curious @VirenMohindra if you might be able to replicate with these exact settings? I will get around to it, it will just take me time

[VirenMohindra]

yep will take a look soon and get back -- i run pretty barebones with default settings and sure i might have hit this in much earlier versions but haven’t seen it come up recently

feels pretty edge-casey imo

@kopach by any chance do you have WisprFlow or any other voice-to-text software installed?

[kopach]

Thank you very much @VirenMohindra. I do have installed WisprFlow, but I do not have it running, so doesn't think it has any influence.
As mentioned above, bug is only reproducible with "Mute While Recording" option enabled.
Also, can confirm, bug is still there in v0.8.1

Though, quite a minor bug, IMO especially if workaround known. I can leave with this option disabled.

[kopach]

Though if you are asking about other software, just to check if this very same functionality works properly there on my machine - then yes, I can confirm it works there properly. Just checked.

[mcernohorsky]

I can reproduce this on a 2022 Apple Studio Display mic, Handy v0.8.1, macOS 26.3.1.

• Standard mic mode: works normally, aside from a small startup delay before recording begins.
• Voice Isolation mode: reproduces the bug, but only when “mute while recording” is enabled.
• On my machine, mute while recording also lags the transcribe shortcut by almost a full second.