v0.8.0

VocaMac 0.8.0

VocaMac 0.8.0 is the biggest update since v0.7.2. It adds a choice of local speech engines, a command-line transcription path, and fixes for Bluetooth and audio-device changes. It is also the first VocaMac release with the VocaHQ visual system, Homebrew tap, and product-family links in place.

Visit vocamac.com for the new homepage and the rest of the VocaHQ family.

More ways to transcribe

• Choose from Whisper, Parakeet, Apple Speech on supported macOS versions, and specialized ONNX models including Moonshine, SenseVoice, GigaAM, and Canary. Parakeet 110M is a smaller English option that downloads and loads quickly.
• Use modifier-plus-key dictation shortcuts, switch microphones from the menu bar, and choose a recording overlay for clear recording and processing feedback.
• Remove downloaded models you no longer need. Downloads and loads now use one serialized path, so they do not compete with each other and recovery is more predictable.
• Transcribe supported audio files from the command line without opening the menu-bar app.

Reliability and polish

• Bluetooth headset dictation now waits for the HFP input route to settle before recording. VocaMac also keeps the audio engine alive long enough for Core Audio configuration callbacks to finish, fixing crashes and interrupted recordings after device changes.
• A stale clipboard value can no longer replace a completed transcription.
• Update details open in their own window, and the recording overlay has better contrast and cleaner rounded edges.
• The settings shell, output controls, model power controls, app identity, and website now use the VocaHQ visual system.

VocaHQ standardization

VocaMac now uses the VocaHQ Homebrew tap. New installs can use:

brew install --cask vocahq/vocamac/vocamac

If you have the old personal tap installed, remove it before adding the VocaHQ tap:

brew untap jatinkrmalik/vocamac
brew tap vocahq/vocamac

How to update

Download VocaMac-0.8.0-arm64.dmg from the Assets below, open it, and drag VocaMac to Applications. Replacing an existing signed install keeps your settings and permissions. Homebrew users can run brew upgrade --cask vocamac.

VocaMac 0.8.0 requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and an Apple Silicon Mac. Apple Speech requires macOS 26 or later.

Thank you

This release includes code from Kanishk Pachauri (@Mr-Sunglasses) and Jatin K Malik (@jatinkrmalik).

Jatin also opened #100, which started the multi-engine work. Thanks to Alex Reardon (@alexreardon) for #132, which led to modifier-plus-key dictation shortcuts, and Christian Bauer (@cbauer42) for #196, whose Bluetooth reports led to the audio-route fixes.

Full changelog: v0.7.2...v0.8.0