> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chief.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How transcription works & speaker attribution

> During a Live Session, Chief transcribes two audio sources from your Mac: your microphone (you) and your computer's system audio (everyone else on the call).

## What Chief transcribes

During a [Live Session](/help/meetings-live-sessions/what-are-live-sessions), Chief transcribes two audio sources from your Mac: your **microphone** (you) and your computer's **system audio** (everyone else on the call). Each spoken turn lands in the [**Transcript**](/help/meetings-live-sessions/copying-downloading-sharing-transcripts) with a speaker label and a timecode range.

## How speakers are labeled

Chief separates speakers automatically:

* Your own microphone is always shown as **You**.
* Other voices are labeled **Speaker 1**, **Speaker 2**, **Speaker 3**, and so on, each with its own color.

The numbering starts at **Speaker 1** — there is no "Speaker 0."

<Note>
  ℹ️ **Good to know:** "You" and "Speaker 1/2/3" are derived from the audio, not real names. When Chief hears an actual name in the conversation, it can use that name on [an action item's owner](/help/meetings-live-sessions/auto-generated-summaries-decisions-action-items-chat-suggestions) instead of a generic speaker label.
</Note>

## Reading the transcript

Each turn shows a colored speaker chip, the timecode range (for example **2:14–2:31**), and the spoken text. Open a Live Session and [scroll the **Transcript** panel](/help/meetings-live-sessions/searching-a-transcript) to read it in order.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Two people are being merged into one speaker label. Why?">
    Speaker separation is automatic and works from the audio itself. People who sound similar, talk over each other, or share a single device feed can occasionally be grouped. The label reflects the audio Chief heard, not a roster of attendees.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I rename &#x22;Speaker 1&#x22; to a real person?">
    The transcript uses the automatic **You** / **Speaker N** labels. Where Chief picked up a real name in conversation, it can attach that name to an action item's owner.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The transcript says &#x22;No transcript yet.&#x22; What now?">
    That means no audio has been transcribed. Confirm [the Mac app](/help/meetings-live-sessions/installing-the-chief-desktop-app-mac-required-for-capture) has microphone and system-audio access and that the meeting audio is reaching your computer.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>