Auto Ducking
MarcX Studio

Ducking controls

Adjust the ducking level on Mac

The right ducking level depends on whether background audio should almost disappear or stay gently audible while you speak.

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Auto Ducking
Auto Ducking status panel in dark mode lowering the Mac volume from 80% to 10% while an AI assistant uses the microphone.

01adjust ducking level Mac

Can you choose how much Mac volume is lowered?

Yes. Auto Ducking lets you set the Lower to level anywhere from 0 to 20% of system volume while the microphone is on. Each sound output keeps its own level, so speakers, headphones, displays and AirPods can each drop to what sounds right. The restore delay decides how long Auto Ducking waits after the microphone turns off, and fade down and fade back make every change smooth. Save the combinations you like as presets for dictation, recording, podcast prep or your own setup. If you change the volume yourself while it is lowered, Auto Ducking keeps your choice.

02Controls

Ducking controls worth tuning

A good setup is predictable: quiet enough to speak, while background audio stays as present as you want it.

01

Lower to level

Choose the background volume while the microphone is on, separately for each sound output.

02

Restore delay

Wait a moment before restoring so short pauses keep the audio steady.

03

Fades and presets

Fade down and fade back for smooth changes, then save each setup as a preset.

FIG.01

Tune Auto Ducking

  1. 01

    Choose the Lower to level

    Set how quiet background audio gets while the microphone is on. Speakers, headphones, displays and AirPods each keep their own level.

  2. 02

    Set the restore delay and fades

    Fade down, wait a moment after the microphone turns off, then fade back, so short pauses never make the volume jump.

  3. 03

    Pick the apps

    Let every microphone app trigger Auto Ducking, only the apps you choose, or every app except the ones you skip.

  4. 04

    Keep control from the menu bar

    Use the status panel or global shortcuts to pause Auto Ducking, Restore Now, Manual Lower, or open the panel from any app.

Auto Ducking Ducking settings with the Lower To level, Restore Delay and the During Calls switch.

03FAQ

Ducking controls FAQ

What does Auto Ducking do with my microphone?

It checks whether the microphone is in use, and which app turned it on, then adjusts your Mac system volume. Auto Ducking never records, transcribes or uploads audio.

What happens when the microphone turns off?

Auto Ducking waits for your restore delay, then fades your previous volume back. To bring it back straight away, press Restore Now.

Can I choose how much the volume is lowered?

Yes. Set the Lower to level from 0 to 20%, separately for each sound output, and tune the restore delay and fades. Save the combinations you like as presets.

What happens during a video or voice call?

With “During Calls” on, which is the default, the call stays at full volume so you hear everyone, and Auto Ducking lowers the volume only when something else is playing, like music while you dictate. To lower every time the microphone turns on, switch off “During Calls” in Settings > Ducking.

Set the ducking feel once

Choose the lower volume, restore timing, fade behavior, and shortcuts that match your workflow.

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04Related Auto Ducking pages

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