Feedback: guides-transcribe_system_audio

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/transcribe_system_audio
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:35:03 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:35:02 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: Transcribe System Audio in Real-Time (macOS)

Overall Assessment

This documentation provides a comprehensive code example but has significant gaps in user guidance, setup instructions, and error handling explanations. The structure needs improvement to better serve users with different experience levels.

Critical Issues & Recommendations

1. Missing Prerequisites & Setup Information

Issues:

• No clear system requirements
• Missing BlackHole installation instructions
• No mention of required Python version or dependencies
• Audio routing setup is relegated to troubleshooting

Recommendations:

## Prerequisites

### System Requirements
- macOS 10.15 or later
- Python 3.7 or later
- AssemblyAI API key ([get one here](https://assemblyai.com/dashboard/signup))

### Required Dependencies
```bash
pip install pyaudio websocket-client

BlackHole Installation & Setup

1. Install BlackHole:

   brew install blackhole-2ch

   Or download from ExistentialAudio/BlackHole

2. Configure Audio Routing (Critical Step):

   • Open “Audio MIDI Setup” (Spotlight search: “Audio MIDI Setup”)
   • Click ”+” → “Create Multi-Output Device”
   • Check both “BlackHole 2ch” and your speakers/headphones
   • Name it “BlackHole + Speakers”
   • Set this as your system output device in System Preferences > Sound

3. Verify installation by running the script - you should see BlackHole in the device list

### 2. Poor Information Architecture

**Issues:**
- Quickstart comes before essential setup information
- Step-by-step guide repeats code without adding value
- Missing logical flow for different user types

**Recommended Structure:**
```markdown
# Transcribe System Audio in Real-Time (macOS)

## Overview
[Brief description and use cases]

## Prerequisites
[All setup requirements]

## Quick Start
[Minimal working example - 20 lines max]

## Complete Implementation
[Full code with detailed explanations]

## Configuration Options
[API parameters, audio settings]

## Troubleshooting
[Common issues and solutions]

## Advanced Usage
[Customizations, optimizations]

3. Code Quality & Explanation Issues

Issues:

• Unused variables (recorded_frames, recording_lock)
• Missing error handling explanations
• No code commenting for complex sections
• Hardcoded values without explanation

Recommendations:

# Remove unused recording functionality or explain its purpose
# If keeping for future use, add this comment:
# WAV recording variables (reserved for future file output feature)
recorded_frames = []  # Store audio frames for WAV file
recording_lock = threading.Lock()  # Thread-safe access to recorded_frames

# Add configuration explanations:
FRAMES_PER_BUFFER = 800  # 50ms audio chunks (optimal for real-time streaming)
SAMPLE_RATE = 16000     # Required by AssemblyAI Streaming API
CHANNELS = 1            # Mono audio (stereo will be converted)

4. Missing Error Handling Guidance

Issues:

• No explanation of common error scenarios
• Missing API error code meanings
• No guidance for debugging connection issues

Add Error Handling Section:

## Common Errors & Solutions

### "BlackHole audio device not found"
**Cause:** BlackHole not installed or not properly configured
**Solution:** Follow the Prerequisites section installation steps

### "WebSocket Error: [Errno 61] Connection refused"
**Cause:** Invalid API key or network connectivity issues
**Solution:**
- Verify your API key is correct
- Check your internet connection
- Ensure you have API credits remaining

### "Error streaming audio: [Errno -9981] Input overflowed"
**Cause:** Audio buffer overflow (system too slow to process)
**Solution:** Increase `FRAMES_PER_BUFFER` or close other applications

5. Inadequate User Experience Guidance

Issues:

• No explanation of what users should expect to see
• Missing setup verification steps
• No guidance for testing the setup

Add User Experience Section:

## Testing Your Setup

1. **Verify BlackHole Detection:**
   Run the script initially - you should see output like:

Available audio devices: 0: Built-in Microphone (inputs: 1) 1: BlackHole 2ch (inputs: 2) -> Found BlackHole device at index 1

2. **Test Audio Routing:**
- Play audio/video content
- You should see real-time transcription appearing
- If no transcription appears, check your audio routing setup

3. **Expected Output:**

WebSocket connection opened. Session began: ID=abc123, ExpiresAt=2024-01-01 15:30:00 Hello, this is a test of the transcription system…

6. Missing Windows Implementation

Issues:

• Mentions Windows support but provides no implementation
• Creates false expectations for Windows users

Recommendations:

• Either provide Windows implementation or clearly state “macOS only”
• If keeping Windows mention, add:

## Windows Implementation (Coming Soon)
This guide currently supports macOS only. For Windows users:
- Use [Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)](https://vac.muzychenko.net/en/)
- The code structure remains similar - main difference is device detection
- Windows implementation guide coming in Q2 2024

7. Missing Advanced Configuration

Issues:

• No explanation of API parameters
• Missing performance optimization guidance
• No customization options

Add Configuration Section:

## Configuration Options

### API Parameters
```python
CONNECTION_PARAMS = {
    "sample_rate": 16000,        # Required: 16kHz for optimal accuracy
    "format_turns": True,        # Optional: Get formatted final transcripts
    "word_boost": ["specific"],  # Optional: Boost specific words
    "language_code": "en",       # Optional: Specify language (auto-detect default)
}

Audio Settings

• FRAMES_PER_BUFFER: Lower = more responsive, higher = more stable
• CHANNELS: Keep at 1 (mono) for best performance
• SAMPLE_RATE: Must match API parameter (16000)

## Additional Recommendations

1. **Add Visual Aids:** Include screenshots of Audio MIDI Setup and System Preferences
2. **Provide Minimal Example:** Create a 20-line quick start version
3. **Add Logging:** Replace print statements with proper logging
4. **Include Performance Notes:** Expected latency, CPU usage, etc.
5. **Add FAQ Section:** Address common user questions
6. **Version Information:** Specify which versions of dependencies were tested

This documentation has good technical depth but needs significant improvements in user onboarding, structure, and practical guidance to become truly user-friendly.

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