Tips on Voice Recording Transcription | LosAngelesTranscriptionServices.com

Accurate transcription depends on good quality voice recordings. It leads to continuous transcription (the transcriptionist is not forced to play back recorded material repeatedly). Taking the following tips into account will facilitate the process of transcription and result in more accurate transcripts:

Minimize background noise.
Avoid talking at the same time.
Sound checks just before recording (record a few words, and then listen to make sure the voice recording is clear).
Try to place microphones close to speakers (one microphone per person is ideal).
For interview transcription, if only one microphone is available, direct it towards the interviewee (his / her answers are more important for the transcriptionist).
An omnidirectional microphone is a good option if only one microphone is available.
For focus group transcriptions, conference transcriptions etc. where more than one microphone is used, try to use a Conference Mixer.
Use quality voice recording equipment.
Avoid using hand-held or personal recorders dictation devices.
Use digital voice recorders (superior audio recording quality and ease of distribution of recorded material make the digital transcription process more efficient and cost-effective).
For cassette transcription, always make sure the tape is wound ahead so as not to miss initial segments of audio voice recordings.
De-activate the voice activation feature on audio tape recorders (otherwise, they will stop recording when sound drops below a certain level).
Set speed control to ‘fast’. This produces better quality voice recordings. You transcription costs will be less if you use faster recording speeds and more tapes.
Don’t use 120-minute cassette tapes, too fragile to withstand the constant forward and reverse action of transcribing machines and transcription equipment.
Standard sized cassette tapes produce better quality voice recordings than mini or microcassettes.
Clearly repeating names of people, places, websites etc. that the transcriptionists might not be familiar with enables the transcription service provider to deliver accurate transcripts, eliminating the need for the client to review the transcripts and insert this information.
For technical transcription, legal transcription, medical transcription, financial transcription and the like, consider sending transcriptionists a list of terms used in the voice recording.
Use shorter recordings or shorter tapes to reduce transcription turnaround time. The greater the number of transcriptionists assigned a project; the faster it can be completed.

The Transcription Service department of Capital Typing, a nationally acclaimed outsourcer of office support solutions, provides premium quality Los Angeles audio transcription services. Our team of experienced professional transcriptionists is accustomed to transcribing voice recordings in a multitude of formats, and includes specialized and certified medical transcriptionists, legal transcriptions, financial transcriptionist and much more. The voice recording tips above are intended as general guidelines to assist our clients obtain low cost transcription that conforms to our high quality standards, as well as accurate transcripts for all their dictation and audio transcription needs.