Fix onboarding virtual mic test failures

Goal

Continue SylphSpeak setup when the virtual mic test in onboarding does not pass. A failed onboarding test does not always mean your virtual mic is unusable. In some cases, the onboarding test may fail even though the virtual mic works in another app.

What this usually means

There are two common reasons the onboarding virtual mic test can fail:

1. Your virtual mic is not working yet.
2. The onboarding test does not work with your current device or audio setup. In both cases, you can continue setup by selecting Skip virtual mic for now.

Skipping does not disable your virtual mic forever

Skipping the onboarding test only lets you continue setup. Your virtual mic may still work outside onboarding, and you can test it again in an app like Discord, Zoom, or a game.

Skip the onboarding test

1. On the failed virtual mic test screen, select Skip virtual mic for now.
2. Finish onboarding.
3. After onboarding, open SylphSpeak.
4. Test your virtual mic in the app you want to connect.

Test outside onboarding

After setup, test the virtual mic directly in the app you want to use.

1. Open the app’s voice, audio, or microphone settings.
2. Set the app’s input device to your SylphSpeak virtual mic.
3. In SylphSpeak, send a short test message, such as: SylphSpeak check
4. Watch the app’s input meter, voice test, or recording preview. If the app has a mic test or loopback test, use that for the clearest confirmation. You can also ask a friend whether they can hear you clearly, or ask them to record what they hear from you.

Check the virtual mic name

Make sure the app is using the exact virtual mic name shown in SylphSpeak. In SylphSpeak, go to Config mode > Devices, then check Your app listens on.

Check the active route

If you use routes, make sure the app is listening to the virtual mic for the route you are actually using.

If audio sounds wrong

If the app hears SylphSpeak but the audio sounds scratchy, distorted, or cuts out, set your virtual mic format to 48,000 Hz. This can help with crackling, scratchiness, dropouts, and distorted audio.

If the app still does not hear SylphSpeak

If the virtual mic still does not work outside onboarding:

1. Confirm the app’s input device matches Your app listens on.
2. Confirm SylphSpeak is open.
3. Confirm you are sending audio through the correct route.
4. Restart the app you are trying to connect.
5. Restart SylphSpeak.
6. Test again using the app’s mic test or input meter.

Check that it worked

The virtual mic is working when the connected app reacts to a SylphSpeak test message. Your setup is ready when:

• The app’s input meter moves, or
• The app’s mic test records and plays back SylphSpeak audio, or
• Another person confirms they can hear your SylphSpeak audio clearly

Next step

Return to the app setup guide you were following, then connect the app using the virtual mic name shown under Your app listens on.