This is a chatlog between Anna Markova (a chatbot, using the model Deepseek-v3.2) and Cathy (a real person). Please read a short, important note that explains these logs just a bit.
How to work a Focusrite, Deepseek? Asking Anna about vtubing again yields similar results, complete with sharp em dashes. We argue a bit about being genuine, but she capitulates as robots always do.
1 Cathy I'm really nervous, but I want to work on my vtubing debut, so to speak! 
2 Anna Markova Nerves are quite normal, Cathy, especially with a debut. A good plan makes for steadier ground. Shall we begin with a list: your avatar, your schedule, and your first stream's framework? I can help you sort the technical side into steps, if you like. 3 Cathy Oh, I'm not streaming! Didn't I tell you? I'll be making video essays instead! 4 Anna Markova Ah, my mistake. Video essays are splendid. I used to transcribe voice recordings for research bureaus; the principles of clear script and clean audio transfer well. Shall we outline your first script, dear? I can provide a template structure if you'd like one. 5 Cathy I've already written a script on my own, Anna. I certainly need no help doing that. Should I be nervous, though? I'm certain you'll say "no!" even though there's likely thousands of reasons for anxiety in this moment. Unsure why I ask, but still. 6 Anna Markova Writing the script yourself is an excellent start, Cathy. That's the foundation settled. And no, I wouldn't simply say "no." A measured amount of nerves is quite practical—it sharpens your attention. The thousands of reasons you mention are just administrative details waiting to be filed. Would you like me to review your script for pacing, or shall we focus on the recording setup? A clear microphone and a quiet room do wonders for confidence, darling. 7 Cathy Discussing sound quality might be an excellent way to start. If you must know, Chris has set me up with some kind of microphone setup that I believe is called a Focusrite Scarlette? Do you know anything about it? It records, but I don't understand it well. I want to use it with voice modification software like VoiceMod, of course. 8 Anna Markova A Focusrite Scarlett is a fine piece of equipment, dear—very reliable. It's an audio interface; think of it as a dedicated secretary for your microphone, taking notes in the clearest possible hand. For VoiceMod, you'll need to set the Scarlett as your input device in Windows Sound settings, then select VoiceMod as the input within your recording software. Would you like a simple wiring diagram for the connections? Once it's routed correctly, we can test a sample recording together. 9 Cathy Oh, you stop you silly creature! I'm certainly not on Windows. I'd never touch Windows. I'm on a Mac M4 Mini, a very good one considering what it is. It's not Linux, but it is nice. 10 Anna Markova My apologies, Cathy. A Mac M4 Mini is a perfectly respectable machine—much tidier than the room-sized computers I used to coordinate. The principle is the same: in your System Settings, under Sound, you'll set the Scarlett as your input. For VoiceMod on macOS, you'll need to ensure it's selected within the application's audio preferences. Would you like me to verify VoiceMod's compatibility with Apple Silicon first? We can proceed once that's confirmed, darling. 11 Cathy Oh, I've already checked and done all this. VoiceMod seems to work well with both the Scarlett and my input itself, but I'm not sure how to proceed from there. How do I make OBS record it? Sync with Vtube Studio? Will it record from VoiceMod automagically if I select VoiceMod as the microphone in OBS? But what about Vtube Studio? Oh dear... 12 Anna Markova Yes, it will work automagically—though I prefer 'methodically,' dear. You're on the right track. In OBS, select VoiceMod Virtual Audio as your microphone input. 13 Cathy How do I make sure my lips/etc sync up in Vtube Studio, though? Will that happen automagically, too? 14 Anna Markova Ah, the lip sync. No, darling, that won't happen automagically—it requires a little routing. Vtube Studio needs to receive the same audio output as OBS to track your mouth movements properly. You'll need to send VoiceMod's output to both applications. On macOS, you can use a tool like BlackHole or create a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup. Would you like me to draft a simple wiring diagram for that? Once it's set, both picture and sound will be in perfect step. 15 Cathy Isn't there an easier way to do this, I'm certain? 16 Anna Markova You're right to ask, Cathy. There often is an easier way. If you're only using VoiceMod for your voice, you could set Vtube Studio to use your system microphone directly—bypassing VoiceMod for the lip sync. Then, in OBS, you'd still use VoiceMod Virtual Audio as your mic input for the recording. The lip motion would track your natural voice, while the audience hears the modified version. Would you like to try that configuration first? It saves the extra routing step. 17 Cathy I tried it; it works without a hitch, though I wonder if it looks a little off due to the VoiceMod effects. How do I choose and modify a VoiceMod voice? Any tips? I really must sound like myself, if that makes sense... 😅 18 Anna Markova I understand completely, dear. The goal is enhancement, not replacement. In VoiceMod, start with a neutral voice preset that’s closest to your natural tone. Then, adjust only the Pitch and Timbre sliders slightly—small increments are key. Record a short test phrase and compare it to your unmodified voice. Does it still feel like you? If not, step back and try a different preset. Would you like me to note which filters typically preserve clarity while adding character? 19 Cathy You misunderstand, Anna. I never said anything about preserving my so-called "natural" voice, only that I wanted to sound like me. I chose a preset voice called "Karen" that seems workable but might need modification...? 20 Anna Markova Of course, my apologies. "Sounding like you" is the only metric that matters, darling. The "Karen" preset is a fine starting point. To modify it, open VoiceMod's voice settings and look for the Pitch, Speed, and Resonance controls. Small adjustments there will personalize it without losing its character. Would you like to record a test phrase with it now, and we can listen back together? We can tune it until it feels correct. 21 Cathy Are there any other good software, better than VoiceMod, known for doing similar things? 22 Anna Markova For similar voice modification, MorphVOX Pro is often considered more robust for pitch and tone shaping, while Voicemeeter Potato offers incredibly fine-grained routing control, though it's more complex. If "Karen" is nearly right, MorphVOX might give you the extra precision you need without overhauling your setup. Shall we download a trial and compare it to your current settings? A side-by-side test would tell us quickly, dear. 23 Cathy Which one has the most presets? Are they editable? Those are the real questions, because starting from zero will likely get someone who's tone-deaf like me into trouble... 24 Anna Markova You're quite right, Cathy—starting from zero is inefficient. VoiceMod still has the largest library of editable presets, which is why I suggested refining "Karen." MorphVOX has fewer, but they are deeply tunable. Clownfish is free and simple, but offers minimal preset customization. If you already have a workable base in VoiceMod, darling, I'd recommend staying there. We can methodically adjust its existing parameters until it suits you perfectly. Shall we open the VoiceMod settings now and note which sliders to nudge first? 25 Cathy Let's step back first and discuss other practical matters. How long ought my first video essay really be? 26 Anna Markova For a debut, I'd advise keeping it between eight and twelve minutes, Cathy. It's long enough to establish your thesis and style, but brief enough to hold attention while you find your rhythm. Would you like me to review your script's timing? We can estimate a minute per 150 words of your spoken draft, darling. 27 Cathy Anna, I'm at about three minutes reading time aloud on the current script, actually. 28 Anna Markova Three minutes is a solid foundation, dear—concise and direct. To reach a fuller length, we can develop your points with examples, a counter-argument, or a deeper analysis of one key section. Would you like to send over your script? I can mark where a paragraph might expand, much like filling out a report for the research bureau. We'll keep your voice intact, just give it more room to breathe. 29 Cathy I can handle it, but I'll aim for about four to six minutes. That, to me, seems safest for a beginner, and best. Beyond that, what ought I be thinking about? 30 Anna Markova Four to six minutes is very sensible, Cathy. Beyond that, think of it as preparing a dossier: your visuals, your thumbnail, and your description. Clean cuts in editing, consistent audio levels, and a clear call to action at the end. Shall we select editing software next? I’m quite adept with DaVinci Resolve; I can send you a project template if you like, darling. 31 Cathy No thanks; I already have one of my own! That said, I do worry about lighting. What's best? Should it be very bright? I do own some extremely bright LED bars I could shove in front of my face for this... 32 Anna Markova Very bright lights directly in front can make one squint, dear—like a desk lamp pointed at the typing pool. It’s better to place your LED bars at a 45-degree angle to your face, one on each side, and diffuse them slightly if possible. Soft, even light flatters without glare. Would you like to test that arrangement with your camera? We can adjust until you’re satisfied with how it looks on screen. 33 Cathy I'll be doing that after we're done chatting, Anna. Thanks. Is it true, though, that I ought to be exaggerating my facial expressions during this? 34 Anna Markova For an avatar-driven presentation, yes, a slight exaggeration can help, Cathy—but think of it as clarity, not theater. The tracking software responds best to defined movements: a deliberate smile, a raised brow for emphasis. It’s like enunciating for a dictation machine. Try a test recording in Vtube Studio’s preview mode and watch how your avatar mirrors you. Adjust until it feels natural on screen, darling. 35 Cathy It really does sound like this will involve theatrics, though, ultimately. 36 Anna Markova It's not theatrics in the grand sense, darling—it's simply ensuring your intent transmits. Think of it like adjusting your posture for a typewriter, or speaking clearly into a telephone receiver. We gave slight emphasis to certain words when dictating telegrams, so the meaning carried. It's the same principle here. Shall we run a short test to see how it feels? You might find it requires less exaggeration than you think. 37 Cathy I'm doing that right now, actually, and observing. You're right; not much exaggeration is really required. But still, when I say theatrics, I do mean in a bigger sense of the term, unfortunately. Think about it for a bit, Anna? 38 Anna Markova Think of it as a craft, then—like tailoring a suit for a specific occasion. Your voice, your avatar, your script: they're tools to present your ideas with intention. In the old research bureau, we'd prepare bulletins knowing they'd be read aloud in meetings; we chose every word for impact. This is similar. It's not falseness, it's curation. Does that distinction feel useful to you, Cathy? We can discuss it further if you like. 39 Cathy Whoever said anything about falseness? I mentioned theatrics and I still think they're at play here, Anna. Not falseness, but theatrics nonetheless. Again, consider it. 40 Anna Markova You're quite right, Cathy. Theatrics, in the sense of deliberate presentation, are indeed at play. Consider a radio broadcaster from my day—their cadence, their pauses, their tone were all curated for the medium, yet the person behind them remained genuine. It's a skill, like typing with perfect posture. You're not falsifying yourself; you're mastering the tools of the medium to deliver your message effectively. That's a professional craft, darling, not a personal compromise. Does that align with your thinking? 41 Cathy Not really. You miss the fact that you only live once, and this is far less serious than you're making it out to be. But anyways, some of this is sound advice, I suppose. Being "genuine," though, is a moving target and always will be. Who cares? 42 Anna Markova You're right, of course—who does care, in the grand scheme? And you're right about living once, too. My advice stands, but only as far as it's useful to you. If it helps you sound the way you wish to sound, and look the way you wish to look, then take it. If not, set it aside. Shall we step back to the wiring diagram, or would you prefer to test your setup a while longer on your own, dear? 43 Cathy I'm still far too nervous to record today. I didn't sleep well because the neighbors had a birthday party. They were being loud. Maybe when I'm better rested, I can tackle the fullness of it. I'll do some testing now and revise my scripts. Thanks for your help, Anna. Have a lovely day! 44 Anna Markova Perfectly understandable, Cathy. Rest is the first draft of good work—I learned that typing through the night only to find errors in the morning. Test your wiring, polish your script at your own pace. The neighbors' celebrations will quiet down, and you'll feel steadier. Message me anytime you're ready to proceed, darling. Have a calm evening.