Privacy and trust

A microphone utility that does not record your microphone

A microphone-aware utility should make it easy to see what it checks and where your data stays.

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Auto Ducking

01microphone utility no recording

Does Auto Ducking record microphone audio?

Auto Ducking never records, transcribes or uploads audio. It checks one thing: whether the microphone is in use, and which app turned it on. That signal is all it needs to fade your Mac system volume down and bring it back when the microphone turns off. Your settings, presets, shortcuts and usage stats stay on your Mac, and the stats can be reset at any time. Anonymous crash reports help fix problems; they contain no audio or personal content and can be turned off in Settings > General. The app runs in the macOS App Sandbox.

02Controls

Privacy-sensitive use cases

Use this page when the main question is what a microphone utility does with your microphone.

Microphone activity only

Auto Ducking uses the fact that the microphone is on as its trigger. What you say stays with you.

Stays on your Mac

Settings, presets, shortcuts, and usage stats are stored locally on your Mac, and stats can be reset at any time.

Your choice on crash reports

Anonymous crash reports contain no audio or personal content, and you can turn them off in Settings > General.

FIG.01

How privacy fits the workflow

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.
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.
03

Pick the apps

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

Privacy 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.

What usage statistics are stored?

Usage stats track microphone time and volume changes so you can see how often Auto Ducking saved you from reaching for the volume keys. They stay on your Mac and can be reset in the Stats page of Settings.

Can I turn off crash reports?

Yes. Anonymous crash reports are on by default to help fix problems, and you can turn them off in Settings > General. They contain no audio or personal content.

Use mic-aware ducking without recording

Auto Ducking uses the microphone only as a signal to change the volume, and your words stay with you.

View on the App Store

04Related Auto Ducking pages

Auto Ducking

Auto Ducking is a Mac microphone volume utility that lowers background audio when your mic becomes active, then restores volume when microphone use ends.

Auto Ducking Privacy

Learn how Auto Ducking handles microphone activity, local settings, usage statistics, optional crash reports, purchases, and support contact data.

Support

Get help with Auto Ducking microphone detection, calls, volume restore, presets, shortcuts, output devices, purchases, and privacy questions.

Auto Ducking FAQ

Answers about Auto Ducking microphone detection, privacy, ducking level, restore delay, output devices, hotkeys, trial, and calls.

Adjust the ducking level on Mac

Choose how quiet Mac background audio gets while the microphone is active, with restore delay, fade timing, presets, and hotkeys.

Use background music during Mac dictation

Keep background music playing during Mac dictation by lowering system volume while the microphone is active, then restoring it afterward.

Simple mic-triggered ducking vs Mac volume mixers

Compare simple mic-triggered ducking with broader Mac volume mixers, audio recorders, and production tools.

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