Transcription transforms spoken content with speech sounds, such as words and letters, into written text. Transcribers or transcriptionists are the ones in charge of this process. Their work involves taking down the dictation from someone who uses intelligible speech.
How Do You Go About Transcribing? What Do You Need To Know?
Transcriptionists work over recordings to turn all discernible speech sounds into text. Transcriptionists are sometimes referred to as “voice artists” because they must be able to hear their subjects clearly without distractions such as noise or other noises in the background. Let’s dive into what you need to do and how to start your transcription.
Deciding on Your Equipment
When choosing your equipment, you must consider how many hours you’ll need to record. Ideally, you’ll have to ask yourself the following questions:
- How much space do you have?
If the room is small and tight, then a microphone may not be able to capture every sound in front of it.
- How loud is the environment?
If multiple people are talking at once or there are background noises (like traffic), then an omnidirectional mic will work better than one that picks up only sound from one direction. The same goes for headphones. You don’t want them blocking sound from other sources around you.
Sound Quality
Make sure the sound is clear. You can’t record what you don’t hear, so make sure your recording device is not too sensitive that it ends up distorting the sound. A cheap microphone can distort the sound. Invest in something decent that will give you quality results. Ensure the microphone isn’t too close to the speaker’s mouth (this can cause distortion).
Price of Equipment
There are many different types of equipment on the market, and you can spend anywhere between $200 and $5,000 or more. Save money by researching what’s available in your area, then find out how much it costs before buying anything.
Also, be aware that some transcription services offer a free trial period to test their services out before committing yourself financially. This trial period will allow you to compare prices and see which provides the most value for your money.
Voice Recorder
A good quality voice recorder will cost more than a cheap one. Because of the better sound quality and ability to record multiple voices, it’s worth investing in a decent device.
A suitable device should be easy to use, with an app or software that allows you to edit and save your recordings in interviews or meetings. Additionally, the device must also have a long battery life.
Dictation Software and Accessories
There are a few things to look into when choosing dictation software. Ensure the software supports a wide array of microphones. You can choose between USB mics and headset microphones if you need to purchase one separately.
If you plan on recording audio files in multiple locations, you can save your recordings on a hard drive or flash drive instead of sending them directly to the transcription service. This way, you can access them for editing before submitting them to a transcription agency.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! This information can help you to be on your way to making your first transcription. Transcription services are a fantastic way to save time and money when you need to get a full transcript of an audio file. While many options are available, it’s essential to consider the service’s quality and cost.
If you have questions about using transcription services or want more information on how they work, feel free to contact us at GoTranscript anytime. We are the best solution for your transcription requirements.
