You can record your voice along with the screen. Explaining why you do each step is often the most useful part of a manual, and it is quicker to say it than to type it afterwards.
What you get when you record your voice
- A clip for each step. Every step has a Narration button that plays what you said while doing it. It plays in the manual and in Follow along.
- A tutorial video. Once the manual is written, Sopycat makes a video of the whole task with your voice, a ring on each click and a caption for each step. See Save the tutorial video.
- Your words, written down, if you set up voice transcription. They appear under each step and help write the steps. See Write down what you said.
Turn on your voice
Record a task › Record my voice too
Tick Record my voice too on the record page, just above Start recording. This is the same switch as Settings › Your voice › Record my voice while recording, so it stays on for your next recording until you turn it off. It is off unless you turn it on.
The first time, Windows may ask whether Sopycat can use the microphone. Choose to allow it.
While you record, a small microphone next to the timer on the recording bar shows that your voice is being recorded.
Tips for talking while you record
- Talk as you would to a new colleague sitting next to you. Say why, not only what: "We use the monthly option because the client pays by the month."
- Say a sentence, then click. Your words are matched to the step you are on, so talking about a step while you do it keeps them together.
- A headset or a microphone close to you gives clearer sound than a laptop's built-in one.
- If you stumble, just carry on. You can replace the words for any step later.
Write down what you said
Settings › Voice transcription
Voice transcription turns your voice into text, step by step. It runs on your computer. Nothing you say is sent anywhere. It needs a one-time download.
- Open Settings and find Voice transcription.
- Choose a speech model from the list.
- Click Download. When it is finished, it shows Ready.
| Speech model | Size | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (English) | About 148 MB | Quick, and good for clear speech |
| More accurate (English) | About 488 MB | Accents and background noise. About three times slower. |
Once it is set up, every new recording with your voice is written down automatically. To free up space later, click Remove.
Voice transcription understands English only. If you speak another language, your voice is still recorded and played back, but it won't be written down correctly.
You don't have to set this up. Without it, your voice is still recorded, and each step still has its clip to play.
Write down a recording you already made
Library › open a manual › More options (⋯) › Transcribe my narration
If you recorded your voice before you set up transcription, you can still get the words.
- Set up voice transcription first. See Write down what you said.
- Open the manual.
- Choose More options (⋯) › Transcribe my narration.
This option only appears on manuals that have a recorded voice.
Use your words as the instructions
When a step has written-down narration, your words appear under the picture in quotes, next to Use these words.
- Read the words and check they make sense for that step.
- Click Use these words.
- Your words replace the step's instructions. Edit them as you like.
Use these words replaces what is in the instructions box. If you have already written instructions for that step, copy them somewhere first. You can also put back an earlier version of the manual.
If the microphone doesn't work
A microphone problem never stops the screen recording. The bar shows a message and Sopycat carries on without your voice.
| The bar says | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone blocked | Windows is not letting Sopycat use the microphone. | In Windows, open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and allow microphone access for apps. Then record again. |
| No microphone | No microphone was found. | Plug in a microphone or headset, then record again. |
| Microphone off | The microphone could not be used. | Check it is not muted or in use by another program, then record again. |
To add the missing narration, you can record the part again with Record more steps.
Common questions
Does it record the sound from my computer?
No. Sopycat records your microphone only, not sounds your computer plays. Your microphone does pick up the room around you, so find a quiet spot if you can.
Who can hear my recording?
Your voice is kept with the manual in your library. Anyone who can open that manual can play the clips. It is also in the tutorial video if you save or share that.
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