Give me that transcription!

Audio CD

1.

This is a very convenient format, as most players, even the cheap ones, will feature immediate-action play and pause functions, as well as fast fwd-rev cueing. If you are lucky to get a client offering the audio files in this format, take them after having checked that your off-computer player actually has those features and they work well.

I don't recommend using the computer CD-ROM drive to play them while transcribing, since you will have to mouse-click on the screen to start and stop all the time.

One useful bit of information is that CD audio files (*.cda) are just slightly modified computer audio (*.wav) files. While it's generally not worthwhile to burn audio CDs from, say, cassette tapes, if you don't have an off-the-PC CD player, a solution is to convert the CD audio files into *.wav files on your hard disk. There is plenty of software, even shareware that can do the job. I use an old version of DART CD-Recorder (US$ 29.95 from http://www.dartpro.com) just because I have it and because it does a lot more than this; I bought it for other purposes. But the freeware Express Scribe (see below) does it as well.


2.

Audio computer files

These will usually be either *.wav or *.mp3.

If you receive them via Internet, beware of *.wav files: they are immense compared to the playing time. To provide some reference, one CD-ROM can hold up to 80 minutes of audio or 700 MB, i.e. 8.75 MB per minute of playing time. Of course, there are ways to make a *.wav file smaller (mono, lower sampling rate), but not as small as MP3 with compression.

So, if you are to download or receive by e-mail audio files, ask for them in MP3 format.

3.

A very useful tool for transcribing *.wav, *.mp3 and many other audio files (audio CD tracks included) is a program named Express Scribe (freeware from http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html). You might even buy or build your own foot control for it; otherwise you can use programmable keys on your keyboard to play, stop, and rewind. It also offers variable playing speed for slowing down fast talkers.

I had been using electrically-controlled (immediate start/stop) quarter-inch tape open-reel recorders for this kind of work (actually translating videos for dubbing) for 15 years before I got Express Scribe. Quite frankly, I felt no difference between them and using Express Scribe; the switch-over was immediate and effortless. However such bulky open reel recorders have been discontinued for ages.

A very useful tool for transcribing *.wav, *.mp3 and many other audio files (audio CD tracks included) is a program named Express Scribe (freeware from http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html). You might even buy or build your own foot control for it; otherwise you can use programmable keys on your keyboard to play, stop, and rewind. It also offers variable playing speed for slowing down fast talkers.

I had been using electrically-controlled (immediate start/stop) quarter-inch tape open-reel recorders for this kind of work (actually translating videos for dubbing) for 15 years before I got Express Scribe. Quite frankly, I felt no difference between them and using Express Scribe; the switch-over was immediate and effortless. However such bulky open reel recorders have been discontinued for ages.

By José Henrique Lamensdorf

4.

a (free) program called f4 which basically is a simple text editor window that also allows you to stop/start the audio from the same window (by pushing F something or other). It also gives you the option of hitting one of the F-keys to enter the initials of the speakers. When done with the text, you simply paste it into Word to use the spell checker and do any formatting that might be necessary. http://audiotranskription.de/

5.

Slowing down speech

Jul 5

Apart from a foot pedal, a program that would slow down the speech tempo without altering its pitch might help. You can probably type along with the spoken text or at least don't have to "rewind" quite as often.

WMP allows you to slow down sound files (Now playing > Enhancements > Play Speed Settings).

Other programs are the Amazing Slow Downer or Transcribe, programs available for 30 or 40 dollars, which allow you much more flexibility in changing basically every aspect of a sound file.

BTW the current Beta version of Real Player has a slow down function. Just download it

6.

Transcription software

Jul 5

I use a free programme called Express Scribe. It can be controlled from the keyboard or a foot pedal and can be set to play at a range of different speeds and is compatible with most digital audio formats. It's well worth investing in the foot pedal though as it almost doubled my productivity.

7.

I use Subtitle Workshop. It's a freeware and it supports translation too in the same screen. You can save the file as txt and then copy it to word for spell checking.

8.

There is a new option called "Mini Scribe" which allows you to work directly into Word or any other program. It came with a fun typing tutorial, which reminded me that even though I type quite fast with 7 or 8 fingers, maybe at some point I should learn how to use all of them.

9.

here is the URL of slow downer http://www.ronimusic.com/

you can download a trial copy there, to see if it would be useful to you. It's great for musicians wanting to explore solos, etc.