diff --git a/VoiceInk.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj b/VoiceInk.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
index b18cb26..4c81634 100644
--- a/VoiceInk.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
+++ b/VoiceInk.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@
 				"CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY[sdk=macosx*]" = "Apple Development";
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
 				COMBINE_HIDPI_IMAGES = YES;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 123;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 125;
 				DEVELOPMENT_ASSET_PATHS = "\"VoiceInk/Preview Content\"";
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = V6J6A3VWY2;
 				ENABLE_HARDENED_RUNTIME = YES;
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 14.0;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.23;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.25;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.prakashjoshipax.VoiceInk;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				SWIFT_EMIT_LOC_STRINGS = YES;
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@
 				"CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY[sdk=macosx*]" = "Apple Development";
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
 				COMBINE_HIDPI_IMAGES = YES;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 123;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 125;
 				DEVELOPMENT_ASSET_PATHS = "\"VoiceInk/Preview Content\"";
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = V6J6A3VWY2;
 				ENABLE_HARDENED_RUNTIME = YES;
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 14.0;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.23;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.25;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.prakashjoshipax.VoiceInk;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				SWIFT_EMIT_LOC_STRINGS = YES;
diff --git a/VoiceInk/Recorder.swift b/VoiceInk/Recorder.swift
index ba33c08..1a5d083 100644
--- a/VoiceInk/Recorder.swift
+++ b/VoiceInk/Recorder.swift
@@ -46,8 +46,6 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
                 } catch {
                     logger.error("❌ Failed to restart recording after device change: \(error.localizedDescription)")
                 }
-            } else {
-                logger.warning("⚠️ No file URL available to restart recording after device change.")
             }
         }
         isReconfiguring = false
@@ -64,14 +62,11 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
     }
     
     func startRecording(toOutputFile url: URL) async throws {
-        logger.notice("▶️ startRecording called for: \(url.lastPathComponent)")
-
         deviceManager.isRecordingActive = true
-        
-        Task {
-            _ = await mediaController.muteSystemAudio()
-        }
 
+        Task { 
+            await mediaController.muteSystemAudio()
+        }
         let deviceID = deviceManager.getCurrentDevice()
         if deviceID != 0 {
             do {
@@ -79,20 +74,10 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
             } catch {
                 logger.warning("⚠️ Failed to configure audio session for device \(deviceID), attempting to continue: \(error.localizedDescription)")
             }
-        } else {
-            logger.warning("⚠️ No input device found (deviceID is 0). Attempting to record with default.")
         }
         
         engine = AVAudioEngine()
-
-        guard let engine = self.engine else {
-            logger.error("❌ AVAudioEngine is nil after creation attempt.")
-            await mediaController.unmuteSystemAudio()
-            stopRecording()
-            throw RecorderError.couldNotStartRecording
-        }
-
-        let inputNode = engine.inputNode
+        let inputNode = engine!.inputNode
         let inputFormat = inputNode.outputFormat(forBus: 0)
         
         let whisperSettings: [String: Any] = [
@@ -115,8 +100,7 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
         do {
             file = try AVAudioFile(forWriting: url, settings: whisperSettings)
         } catch {
-            logger.error("❌ Failed to create audio file: \(error.localizedDescription)")
-            await mediaController.unmuteSystemAudio()
+            logger.error("Failed to create audio file: \(error.localizedDescription)")
             stopRecording()
             throw RecorderError.couldNotStartRecording
         }
@@ -181,11 +165,9 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
         }
         
         do {
-            try engine.start()
-            logger.notice("✅ Recording engine started successfully.")
+            try engine!.start()
         } catch {
             logger.error("❌ Failed to start audio engine: \(error.localizedDescription)")
-            await mediaController.unmuteSystemAudio()
             stopRecording()
             throw RecorderError.couldNotStartRecording
         }
@@ -199,10 +181,6 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
             engine = nil
         }
 
-        if wasRunning {
-            logger.notice("⏹️ Recording stopped.")
-        }
-
         audioMeter = AudioMeter(averagePower: 0, peakPower: 0)
         engine?.inputNode.removeTap(onBus: 0)
         file = nil
@@ -245,4 +223,4 @@ class Recorder: ObservableObject {
 struct AudioMeter: Equatable {
     let averagePower: Double
     let peakPower: Double
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file