Run NaturallySpeaking's Audio Setup Wizard

If you suspect an audio input problem in Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the first thing to do is to run the Audio Setup Wizard. The Audio Setup Wizard can do either a complete setup or simply adjust the volume.

If NaturallySpeaking has been working okay to date and only now has begun making errors, your microphone may have moved a bit, or you may be speaking more or less loudly than before. In that case, you only need the wizard to adjust the volume. Choose Audio→Read Text to Improve Accuracy Wizard from the DragonBar, and follow the instructions.

Some PCs have more than one sound system installed. For instance, you may have installed a better sound card than the one your PC came with, but the original is still present. If you’re using a USB microphone, you almost certainly have two sound systems.

If you have more than one sound system, the first screen that the Audio Setup Wizard displays asks you to choose the sound system. You must choose the system your microphone is connected to: USB Audio Device if you’re using a USB microphone, for instance. If the choices don’t mean anything to you, click Default and proceed.

If you choose incorrectly, when the Audio Setup Wizard gets to the Adjust Your Volume screen, it will complain that the sound level is too low. Click Cancel to exit the Audio Setup Wizard, and then restart it and choose the other sound system.

You engineers and serious audio geeks out there can try pressing Alt+1 when the Results screen appears. All kinds of cool, technical displays appear as you talk.

If volume is low, consider speaking a bit louder or moving the microphone slightly closer to your mouth. If you’re tired, take a break! Some have found that their volume varies considerably over the day and is lower when they are tired or sleepy, or sitting with poor posture.