Cloud Setup Guide

Recommended cloud provider configuration for maximum speed and accuracy

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Fast, High-Quality Cloud Setup

Cloud providers offer the fastest processing and highest accuracy for Stenox dictation. This guide shows you the recommended configurations for optimal results.

Most recommended: Stenox Cloud — fine-tuned for Stenox, zero configuration, fastest setup. Included with Plus and Lifetime Plus.

Why Use Cloud Providers?

Ultra-fast processing

Sub-second transcription and enhancement (5-10x faster than local).

Higher accuracy

State-of-the-art models optimized for production use.

No local storage

No need to download multi-GB models.

Works on any Mac

Intel and Apple Silicon, old and new.

Recommended Cloud Configurations

Option 1: Stenox Cloud (Most Recommended)

Best for: Fastest setup, best out-of-the-box experience

Configuration:

• Transcription: Stenox Cloud Transcription
• Enhancement: Stenox Cloud AI Enhancement

Setup time: 2 minutes (just activate your license) Processing time: ~1-2 seconds total Availability: Plus and Lifetime Plus plans

1. Get Plus or Lifetime Plus

   Visit stenox.app/pricing and choose your plan

2. Activate License

   Settings → License → Sign in with your purchase email

3. Select Stenox Cloud

   Settings → Transcription → Provider: Stenox Cloud Settings → AI Enhancement → Provider: Stenox Cloud

4. Start Dictating

   That’s it — no API keys, no configuration, just works

Why Stenox Cloud?

• Fine-tuned for Stenox — optimized specifically for voice dictation workflows
• Zero configuration — no API keys to manage, no accounts to create
• Consistent quality — we maintain and update the models for best results
• Fast and accurate — production-grade speed and accuracy

Learn More

Full Stenox Cloud details

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Option 2: Maximum Free Credits (BYOK)

Best for: Getting started free, maximum free usage

Configuration:

• Transcription: DeepGram Nova-3 ($200 free credits)
• Enhancement: Google Gemini 2.5 Flash (1,500/day free)

Setup time: 10 minutes Processing time: ~1-2 seconds total Free usage: 6-12 months typical

1. Get DeepGram API key

   1. Visit console.deepgram.com
   2. Sign up (no credit card required)
   3. Create API key
   4. Get $200 in free credits
2. Configure DeepGram in Stenox

   1. Settings → Transcription tab
   2. Provider: DeepGram
   3. Paste API key
   4. Model: Nova-3 (best accuracy)
3. Get Google Gemini API key

   1. Visit aistudio.google.com
   2. Sign in with Google (no credit card)
   3. Create API key
   4. Get 1,500 free requests/day
4. Configure Gemini in Stenox

   1. Settings → AI Enhancement tab
   2. Provider: Google Gemini
   3. Paste API key
   4. Model: Gemini 2.5 Flash (fastest)

Get detailed setup instructions →

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Option 3: Groq Stack (Single API Key)

Best for: Simplicity, one account for everything

Configuration:

• Transcription: Groq Whisper v3-turbo
• Enhancement: Groq Llama 3.3 70B or DeepSeek R1

Setup time: 5 minutes Processing time: ~1-2 seconds total Free usage: Ongoing free tier with rate limits

1. Get Groq API key

   1. Visit console.groq.com
   2. Sign up (no credit card required)
   3. Create API key
   4. One key for both transcription and enhancement!
2. Configure Groq Transcription

   1. Settings → Transcription tab
   2. Provider: Groq
   3. Paste API key
   4. Model: whisper-large-v3-turbo
3. Configure Groq Enhancement

   1. Settings → AI Enhancement tab
   2. Provider: Groq
   3. Paste same API key
   4. Model: Llama 3.3 70B Versatile

Benefits:

• Single API key management
• Ultra-fast LPU inference
• Ongoing free tier (doesn’t expire)
• Simple setup

Get detailed setup instructions →

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Option 4: Best Quality (Paid BYOK)

Best for: Professional use, maximum accuracy

Configuration:

• Transcription: DeepGram Nova-3 or AssemblyAI Universal-1
• Enhancement: Google Gemini 2.5 Pro

Cost: ~$0.75-1.50 per hour of dictation Processing time: ~1-2 seconds total

When to use:

• Professional transcription services
• Critical accuracy requirements
• Business or enterprise use
• After free credits are exhausted

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Performance Comparison

Configuration	Speed	Accuracy	Setup	Cost	Best For
Stenox Cloud	⚡⚡⚡	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Instant	Plus/Lifetime Plus	Best experience, zero config
DeepGram + Gemini	⚡⚡⚡	⭐⭐⭐⭐	10 min	$$ after free	Maximum free credits
Groq Stack	⚡⚡⚡	⭐⭐⭐⭐	5 min	Free tier	One API key simplicity
AssemblyAI + Gemini	⚡⚡⚡	⭐⭐⭐⭐	10 min	$	Accent optimization
Local (WhisperKit + MLX)	⚡	⭐⭐⭐	5 min	Free forever	Privacy, offline

Detailed Provider Configurations

DeepGram Nova-3 Settings

Recommended configuration:

Setting	Value	Why
Model	Nova-3	Latest, best accuracy
Language	English (or auto-detect)	Optimize for your language
Streaming	Enabled (automatic)	Fastest results
Punctuation	Enabled (automatic)	Auto-punctuation

In Stenox:

• Provider: DeepGram
• Model: Nova-3 or Nova-3-English
• Language: English or Auto-detect

DeepGram full guide →

Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Settings

Recommended configuration:

Setting	Value	Why
Model	Gemini 2.5 Flash	Fastest with excellent quality
Custom prompt	Default or Professional	Based on use case
Temperature	Default	Stenox handles this

In Stenox:

• Provider: Google Gemini
• Model: Gemini 2.5 Flash
• Custom prompt: (optional, see below)

Google Gemini full guide →

Enhancement Prompts

Fine-tuned out of the box. Both Stenox Cloud and local providers come with fine-tuned enhancements that we continue to refine — no configuration needed for most users.

For BYOK providers, you can configure custom enhancement behaviors:

Default (General Use)

Fix grammar and punctuation errors.
Keep the original meaning and tone unchanged.

Use for: General dictation, notes

Professional Email

Fix grammar and rewrite in a professional, business-appropriate tone.
Format as a clear, concise email.
Remove filler words and make it direct.
Use proper email structure.

Use for: Work emails, business communications

Technical Documentation

Fix grammar and format for technical documentation.
Preserve all technical terms and code exactly as stated.
Use active voice and clear, concise language.
Format code blocks appropriately.

Use for: Code comments, documentation, technical writing

Multi-Profile Cloud Setup

For maximum flexibility, create profiles for different scenarios:

Profile Strategy

1. Work Email Profile

   • Name: “Work Email”
   • Transcription: DeepGram Nova-3
   • Enhancement: Gemini 2.5 Flash
   • Custom prompt: Professional email tone
   • Auto-activate: When Gmail or Outlook is active
2. Quick Notes Profile

   • Name: “Quick Notes”
   • Transcription: Groq Whisper (fastest)
   • Enhancement: None (skip for speed)
   • Auto-activate: When Notes app is active
3. Documentation Profile

   • Name: “Documentation”
   • Transcription: DeepGram Nova-3
   • Enhancement: Gemini 2.5 Flash
   • Custom prompt: Technical documentation
   • Auto-activate: When VSCode or similar is active
4. Fallback Local Profile

   • Name: “Offline”
   • Transcription: WhisperKit
   • Enhancement: MLX or None
   • Manual activation: When internet unavailable

Learn about Profiles →

Usage Optimization

Maximize Free Credits

DeepGram ($200 credits):

• Use for important dictation (work emails, documents)
• Switch to Groq or local for casual notes
• Track usage in DeepGram console

Google Gemini (1,500/day):

• More than enough for most users
• If you hit limit, create “no enhancement” profile
• Resets daily at midnight PST

Groq (free tier):

• Use as primary option — no API costs
• Rate limits refresh quickly
• Good for privacy-conscious users who prefer not to create accounts

Cost Control

After free tiers, control costs:

Use Groq free tier as primary

Groq’s ongoing free tier is sufficient for most personal use. Only upgrade if you consistently hit rate limits.

Skip enhancement for quick notes

Create a profile without AI enhancement for quick personal notes. Saves on Gemini API calls.

Switch to local for high-volume

If you dictate heavily (2+ hours/day), switch to WhisperKit + MLX to avoid costs.

Use AssemblyAI after DeepGram

AssemblyAI costs only $0.0009/min after free credits - very affordable for continued use.

Troubleshooting Cloud Setup

Slow processing despite cloud providers

• Check your internet connection speed
• Try switching to different model (e.g., Flux instead of Nova-3)
• Check provider status pages for outages
• Test with local provider to isolate issue

Poor transcription accuracy

• Ensure you’re using Nova-3 or latest models
• Check microphone input device (Settings → Audio tab)
• Reduce background noise
• Speak more clearly or use better microphone
• Try AssemblyAI if you have strong accent

API errors or authentication failures

• Verify API keys are correct (no extra spaces)
• Check API key status in provider dashboards
• Ensure you have remaining credits/quota
• Try creating new API keys

Hit rate limits frequently

• Create local fallback profile (WhisperKit + MLX)
• Set up multiple cloud providers and rotate
• Consider upgrading to paid tier if needed

Internet Connection Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• Speed: 1 Mbps upload, 1 Mbps download
• Latency: < 100ms preferred
• Stability: Consistent connection (not intermittent)

Optimal:

• Speed: 5+ Mbps upload/download
• Latency: < 50ms
• Type: Wi-Fi or Ethernet (not cellular for best results)

Cloud processing sends ~1 MB per minute of audio. Most home internet connections are more than sufficient.

Next Steps

Free Tier Guide

Maximize free usage across all cloud providers.

Create Profiles

Set up different profiles for different scenarios.

DeepGram Setup

Complete DeepGram configuration guide.

Gemini Setup

Complete Google Gemini configuration guide.

Best setup: Stenox Cloud — fine-tuned for Stenox, zero configuration, just works. Get started at stenox.app/pricing.