How to Make a Transcript of an Audio File: Everything You Need to Know

How to Transcribe Audio Files Quickly and Accurately

Transcribing audio can be a challenging and time-consuming task. Whether you work in journalism, research, or any field that deals with audio recordings, the need to convert speech to text comes up often. Thankfully, there are many ways to make this process faster and easier. This guide explains how to transcribe audio files using both automated transcription software and professional services. We will also help you decide which method fits your needs.

Automated Software for Audio Transcription

Many people use automated tools to speed up transcription. These tools use speech recognition technology to turn spoken words into written text. Automated solutions offer several benefits, but there are also some limitations to keep in mind.

Popular Automated Transcription Tools

• Otter.ai
  • Otter.ai transcribes audio in real time, making it useful for meetings and interviews.
  • The free plan lets you record, transcribe, and review recordings with comments.
  • The paid plan is about $8 per month billed yearly, offering more minutes and special vocabulary features.
  • Otter.ai claims high accuracy, but background noise or accents may cause errors (2023).
• Microsoft Word Transcribe
  • Available to all Microsoft 365 users, this feature allows users to upload interviews or meetings for transcription directly in Word.
  • Transcribe distinguishes between different speakers and provides timestamps.
  • It includes a ‘dictate’ option for real-time speech-to-text.
  • The monthly limit is 300 minutes, which may be restrictive for some users (2023).
• Dragon Anywhere
  • This mobile app is great for users who need to transcribe on the go.
  • The subscription starts at $15 per month, with a discount for yearly billing.
  • Users can train Dragon to recognize their unique speech patterns for better accuracy over time.
  • No word limit, and users can share transcribed files by email or Dropbox directly from the app.

Advantages of Automated Transcription Tools

• Quick turnaround time for transcripts
• Lower cost compared to human transcription
• Useful for basic note-taking and documentation

Limitations of Automated Transcription

• Accuracy can drop with background noise, multiple speakers, or strong accents (up to 80% accuracy compared to over 99% for human transcriptionists; GoTranscript, 2023).
• Manual review is often necessary to correct mistakes and fill in unclear areas.
• Some tools have time or file size limits.
• Security can be a concern, especially when handling sensitive or confidential recordings.

When Not to Use Automated Transcription

Automated transcription may not be the best choice in all situations. You should avoid these services for:

• Legal proceedings with strict confidentiality standards
• Medical content that requires HIPAA compliance
• Therapy sessions, interviews, or research involving private information

Most automated tools do not provide information about where or how they store user data. If privacy matters for your project, choose a transcription option designed for secure handling of sensitive files.

Using a Professional Transcription Service

For the highest accuracy, many turn to professional transcription services. These services use skilled human transcriptionists to produce error-free documents, even from challenging audio.

Steps to Order a Transcript from an Online Service

1. Choose a reliable provider like GoTranscript.
2. Create an account on their website.
3. Upload your audio or video files securely. You can do this easily through their online portal: Order transcription.
4. Select the desired turnaround time, ranging from just a few hours to several days.
5. Review your order and process payment.
6. The completed transcript will be sent to you by email or available for download from your account.

Benefits of Human Transcription Services

• Over 99% accuracy rates, even for complex files (GoTranscript, 2023)
• Professional teams can handle difficult audio with multiple speakers, accents, or background noise
• Strict privacy and security protocols
• Custom formatting, timestamps, or speaker identification as needed

Other Transcription-Related Services

Besides standard audio transcription, professional providers also offer:

• Closed caption services for video accessibility
• Subtitling services in multiple languages
• Text translation services for global reach
• Proofreading services to ensure the best quality
• Audio translation for cross-language audio content

Comparing Costs: Automated vs. Human Services

• Automated transcription costs are typically lower, often under $10 per month for unlimited or high usage.
• Professional transcription costs vary by service, language, and turnaround time. Learn more about transcription pricing and caption pricing here.
• Consider the value of your time: faster and more accurate services can save you hours of editing and reviewing.

How to Decide Which Method to Use

• Choose automated transcription if speed and cost are key, and accuracy is less critical.
• Choose human transcription for important, complex, or sensitive content, or when the highest quality is required.
• Combine both methods by using automated tools for a draft and a proofreading service for the final polish.

Conclusion: Get Trusted Help from GoTranscript

Transcribing audio doesn’t have to be a difficult or slow task. Automated tools are quick and budget-friendly, while professional transcription services ensure accuracy and security. For the best of both worlds, GoTranscript offers reliable solutions, including human transcription, automated transcription, AI transcription subscriptions, captioning, subtitles, translation, and more. With services tailored to every need and budget, you can order your transcript today and reclaim your time.