Live vs Push-to-Talk (PTT)
TalkWriter offers two dictation modes. Each one controls how you start and stop recording with the Fn key. Choosing the right mode depends on how you dictate.
Why Two Modes?
Different situations call for different recording behaviors. When you are firing off a quick Slack reply, you want recording to stop the moment you stop talking -- that is PTT. When you are drafting a long document and need to pause to think, you want recording to stay active through pauses -- that is Live. Having both means TalkWriter adapts to you, not the other way around.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Push-to-Talk (PTT) | Live Mode |
|---|---|---|
| How to start | Hold Fn | Press Fn once |
| How to stop | Release Fn | Press Fn again |
| Recording while Fn released | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (until toggled off) |
| Best for | Short bursts, commands, quick replies | Long-form writing, notes, essays |
| Accidental recording risk | ⚡ Low (must hold key) | ⚡ Moderate (may forget to toggle off) |
| Hands-free after start | ❌ Must hold Fn | ✅ Fully hands-free |
| Silence handling | Ends when you release | Keeps listening through pauses |
| Accuracy | ⚡ Best (silent streaming) | ✅ Great |
| Default mode | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Push-to-Talk (PTT) Mode
How It Works
- Hold the Fn key.
- The pill overlay appears and TalkWriter starts listening.
- Speak your text.
- Release the Fn key.
- TalkWriter processes and pastes the polished text.
Best For
- Quick emails and messages — Dictate a reply, release Fn, and it pastes instantly.
- Code comments — Hold Fn, say your comment, release, done.
- Noisy environments — You control exactly when the mic is active.
Pros
- You have precise control over when recording starts and stops.
- No risk of accidentally leaving the mic on.
- Uses silent real-time streaming for maximum accuracy.
Cons
- You must keep holding the Fn key while speaking.
- Less convenient for dictations longer than 30 seconds.
Live Mode
How It Works
- Press the Fn key once to start.
- The pill overlay appears and TalkWriter starts listening continuously.
- Speak freely. Pause whenever you need to think.
- Press the Fn key again to stop.
- TalkWriter processes and pastes the polished text.
Best For
- Long-form writing — Essays, articles, blog posts, letters.
- Meeting notes — Leave it on and dictate as discussion happens.
- Brainstorming — Speak your ideas with natural pauses in between.
- Accessibility — Hands-free after the initial key press.
Pros
- Completely hands-free after pressing Fn once.
- Natural pauses do not interrupt the recording.
- Ideal for extended dictation sessions.
Cons
- You might forget to toggle off, resulting in unintended recording.
- Background noise during pauses can occasionally be picked up.
When to Use Which Mode
| Situation | Recommended Mode |
|---|---|
| Replying to a Slack message | PTT |
| Writing a blog post | Live |
| Dictating a commit message | PTT |
| Taking meeting notes | Live |
| Composing a quick email | PTT |
| Writing an essay | Live |
| Filling out a form field | PTT |
| Brainstorming ideas in Scratchpad | Live |
| Noisy coffee shop | PTT |
| Quiet home office, long session | Live |
How to Switch Modes
- Open TalkWriter Settings (Cmd + ,).
- Go to the Dictation section.
- Select Push-to-Talk or Live as your default mode.
- Close Settings. The change takes effect immediately.
You can also switch modes quickly by hovering over the pill overlay during dictation and clicking the mode toggle. See Switching Dictation Modes for more details.
Practical Example
Scenario: You are drafting a long email in Gmail.
You start with PTT mode to dictate the first paragraph (hold Fn, say your sentence, release). Then you realize you have three more paragraphs to go. Rather than hold Fn for 60 seconds, you hover over the pill and switch to Live mode. Now you press Fn once, dictate all three paragraphs with natural pauses between them, and press Fn again when done. TalkWriter captures everything as one continuous dictation.
Start with PTT mode when you are new to TalkWriter. It gives you the most control and eliminates any risk of accidentally leaving the mic on. Once you are comfortable, switch to Live mode for longer content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch modes quickly without opening Settings? Yes. Hover over the pill overlay during dictation to see the mode toggle. You can switch between PTT and Live on the fly. You can also change the default mode in Settings.
Does the mode affect accuracy? PTT mode uses silent real-time streaming, which can yield slightly higher accuracy. Both modes produce excellent results.
Can I use Live mode with a headset? Yes. Live mode works with any microphone source, including AirPods and Bluetooth headsets.
Was this helpful? Let us know at support@talkwriter.ai