# Voice translator for Discord

KONWA translates what you say and sends the translated audio into Discord as your microphone. Your teammates can keep using Discord normally, and their replies can appear as captions on your screen. This guide covers voice chat; KONWA does not translate Discord’s written channel messages.

*An English-to-Spanish example from KONWA’s product demonstration. The translated speech can be sent into a call as microphone audio.*

## Discord translation tools: check the input and output

| Tool type | Typical task | What to verify |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Text translation tool or bot | Translate written messages | Which messages it can access and the permissions it needs |
| Voice translation bot | Handle audio in a voice channel | Whether it joins the channel, who hears the result and which permissions are required |
| KONWA virtual microphone | Send your translated speech as your microphone | Desktop installation and Discord input-device selection |

Do not assume that every translation bot is text-only or that every tool delivers audio the same way. KONWA does not add a bot to the server, translate written messages or manage the channel’s translation settings.

## When to choose KONWA for Discord voice chat

- You want your own speech translated into the language used by your channel.
- You can install a desktop virtual microphone and have permission to speak in the channel.
- You also use other microphone-based apps and want to reuse the same translation setup.

If you only need written messages translated, choose a text workflow. For fast games, test your actual language pair and connection first: translation adds processing time and is not a promise of instant, split-second callouts.

## What you need before installing KONWA

| Function | Mac | Windows |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Translate your voice | Apple silicon (M1 or later), macOS 14+ | Windows 10/11, x64 |
| Caption the other side | Apple silicon, macOS 14.2+ | Windows 10 version 2004+ or Windows 11, x64 |

- A microphone, headphones, internet access and a KONWA account with available translation time.
- Permission to install KONWA and its bundled virtual microphone, and to select that microphone in the call app. Managed computers or organization policies may restrict this.
- For captions on macOS, permission for KONWA to record system audio. KONWA does not bypass meeting, device or organization restrictions.

The other participants do not need KONWA. It runs on your Mac or Windows PC; it is not an iPhone, Android, Linux or browser-only app.

## Set up KONWA in Discord

### 1. Install KONWA and its virtual microphone

Use the [macOS installation guide](https://konwa.live/en/guide/setup-macos) or [Windows installation guide](https://konwa.live/en/guide/setup-windows). On Mac, authorize KONWA Microphone when prompted. On Windows, keep VB-CABLE selected in the installer and restart after installation. Sign in to KONWA.

### 2. Choose your languages and start translation

Check your microphone in KONWA, choose the language you speak and one language the other side should hear, then start translation. This sends one translated output language; it does not deliver a different language to each participant.

### 3. Select Input Device in Discord

Open User Settings → Voice & Video → Voice, then select the device below under Input Device. Keep Output Device on your headphones. Menu organization can vary with the Discord client version.

| Computer | Microphone to select in the call app |
| --- | --- |
| Mac | KONWA Microphone |
| Windows | CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable) |

Keep the call app’s speaker/output and your system output on headphones. On Windows, do not use CABLE Input for normal playback. Headphones also keep the microphone from picking up the call and translating it again.

### 4. Use Discord’s mic test

Under Mic Test, choose Let’s Check and speak a short sentence while KONWA is translating. Listen for the translated audio. If you use Push to Talk, make sure the key stays held while the translated speech is being sent, or test with Voice Activity.

## Read the other side as translated captions

While a KONWA translation session is running, choose Discord under Listen and their speech appears as captions in your language, on your screen only. See [translated captions only you see](https://konwa.live/en/guide/translated-captions) for setup, permissions and what others see when you share your screen.

## If Discord does not receive the translated voice

### The mic test works, but the channel hears nothing

Check mute, channel speaking permissions and your input mode. Push to Talk must allow the translated audio through when KONWA speaks, not only while you speak the original sentence.

### The channel hears your original voice

Select the virtual microphone under Input Device and confirm KONWA is translating. Selecting the physical microphone sends the original audio.

### You hear nothing on Windows

Keep Discord’s Output Device and the Windows system output on headphones rather than CABLE Input. The virtual cable is for sending the translated microphone audio.

## Questions about Discord voice translation

**Does KONWA translate text messages or DMs?**

No. It translates your spoken voice and can caption audio from the selected app. Choose a text translation workflow for written channel messages and DMs.

**Do I need to add a bot or be a server administrator?**

KONWA’s microphone workflow does not add a server bot. You still need permission to install KONWA, use the selected microphone and speak in that channel.

**Can I hear teammates’ translations as speech?**

KONWA shows incoming translations as captions during an active translation session. It does not speak those incoming translations aloud.

**Does everyone need to install KONWA?**

No. Only the person sending translated speech needs it. Other participants hear that audio through the call app as they would any microphone.

**Which languages can I use?**

Check the [supported languages](https://konwa.live/en/guide/languages) and test your chosen pair. You select one source and one output language for a translation session.

**Can I try KONWA for free?**

Registration includes 10 minutes to try it. Continued use requires available translation time; see [Pricing](https://konwa.live/en/pricing). A free account in the calling app does not make KONWA permanently free.

## Related setup guides

Use the same translated microphone with [Teams](https://konwa.live/en/guide/teams), [Zoom](https://konwa.live/en/guide/zoom), [Google Meet](https://konwa.live/en/guide/google-meet) or [Discord](https://konwa.live/en/guide/discord). For persistent audio problems, see [Troubleshooting](https://konwa.live/en/guide/troubleshooting).

## Official feature references

Native feature details checked on October 9, 2026. Availability depends on the provider’s current plan, app, language and administrator settings; check the linked documentation for changes.

- [Discord — Voice and video troubleshooting](https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045138471-Discord-Voice-and-Video-Troubleshooting-Guide)

## Try it before your next call

Set up the virtual microphone and make a short test call before using it in a meeting.

[Download KONWA](https://konwa.live/en/download) · [See pricing](https://konwa.live/en/pricing)