Speech-to-text software, or dictation software, lets you control your computer, dictate text, or both. These are the options for Mac OS X users. Speech-to-text software, sometimes known as dictation software, is something that lets you talk to the computer in some form and have the computer react appropriately to what you are saying. Mac OS 10.10 (Yosemite), 10.11 (El Capitan), 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), and 10.14 (Mojave) Click here to download Transcribe! Version 8.72.1 for Mac OS 10.10 - 10.14. With this version of Transcribe! You may also want to download GStreamer, mainly if you want to handle video.
Those who do a lot of audio to text transcriptions know only too well that even with the help of a digital player, digital word processor, and the ability to type using ten fingers at an amazing speed, transcribing is still a challenging task. Especially because catching what other people say is not as easy as it sounds, and most normal human typing speeds can never catch up to speaking speed.
To make the matter worse, you have to do a lot of stopping-rewinding-replaying to the audio/video files, and continuously go back and forth between the player and word processor.
Luckily, Express Scribe can help you solve the problem.
Not only can it slow down the audio files while maintaining constant pitch, it will also give you playback shortcuts that you can use from within your word processor. This amazing software is available for Mac, Windows and Linux; and itâs totally free.
Now letâs take a look at the basic features of the software. (Note: Iâm using the Mac version, so there might be slight differences with the Windows and Linux version).
Slow Down, Stay Stable
To start a transcription process, open the app and click on the âLoadâ button from the main window and browse to the location of the file. You can load several files at once by using the Command key while selecting multiple files.
Then you can play the file using the controls that you will find in the main window. These tools consist of standard playback buttons like âPlay â Stop â Rewind â Fast Forwardâ and other more advanced tools like âSpeedâ and âPlayback Positionâ sliders.
If you do a lot of transcriptions, the Speed slider is the answer to your prayers. You can adjust the playback to be slow enough for your ten fingers to catch up. Express Scribe will keep the pitch stable and maintain the words as clear as they are in the original speed.
Once you press the âPlayâ button, a âMulti Channel Displayâ window will appear. This window allows you to adjust the volume of the left and right audio channels, or turn them on/off.
Setting Up The Hot Keys
Even though all the controls are just a click away, the purpose of using this app is so we donât have to go back and forth between the player and the word processor. Express Scribe allows you to set up hotkeys to control its functions from within other applications.
To add hot keys, open the âPreferencesâ.
Then go to the âHot-keysâ tab and check the âEnable system-wide hot-keysâ box. After that click the âAddâ button.
Choose one of the functions from the drop-down list, and click âChangeâ to assign shortcut to it. Press the key combination that you chose, and click âOK.â
There are a lot of functions listed on the list, but I personally think that you should assign hotkeys only to the most important playback functions as memorizing too many shortcuts is not going to make the process faster. You should also use the most practical but unused key combinations.
Hereâs the list of all my shortcuts and the hot-keys to give you a clearer picture.
- Play : âCtrl + Alt + Right Arrowâ
- Stop : âCtrl + Alt + Periodâ
- Rewind : âCtrl + Alt + Left Arrowâ
- Go to start : âCtrl + Alt + 0â
- Decrease playback speed (-5%) : âCtrl + Alt + Down Arrowâ
- Increase playback speed (+5%) : âCtrl + Alt + Up Arrowâ
Setting Up The Default Word Processor
You can open the word processor that you are going to use to write the transcription straight from the Express Scribe window. The default application is whatever application that you set to open a â.docâ file (In most computer, this will be Microsoft Word).
But if you want to use a different application as your chosen word processor â maybe something simple like TextEdit (Mac) or Notepad (Windows) â just change the default template file from the âPreferences â Otherâ.
First, create a blank document with the extension that you choose, and add the file to the Express Scribe template list.
Then select the file, click the âSet to defaultâ button followed by the âOKâ button.
Now every time you click the âOpen Word Processorâ button, Express Scribe will open your chosen application.
Another useful transcribing tool that you can use is the ability to add a time stamp to the word processor. This feature is very useful for those who do movie or interview transcriptions.
This tool can be accessed under the âNotes â Copy To Clipboard â Timeâ menu, or simply âCommand + Tâ from within Express Scribe.
Barely Scratch The Surface
As an amateur transcriber, this is the extent to what I use the software for. But I have barely scratched the surface. There are more advanced features for pro-level transcribers such as support for a professional foot pedal, the ability to dock analog and digital portable recording, playing movie files (with additional plugins), and integration with speech recognition software. You can see the complete list on the website.
Have you tried to transcribe? Do you know other alternatives? Have you pushed Express Scribe to its limit? Share your experiences using the comments below.
Explore more about: Speech Recognition, Transcription.
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This information is exactly what I've been looking for. Super-helpful! Thanks so much!
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Valuable blog post ! I loved the facts ! Does anyone know if I might locate a fillable IRS 1040 document to fill out ?
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Hi, we just released easyTranscribe for iPhone and iPad. Maybe someone is interested? It's ad supported and free and we are working on a pro version.
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Hi,I don't know how to convert .dct to .mp3, sorry. But if you want to slow down mp3, the easiest way is to use Audacity. Open the song, select the entire track, then go to 'Effects - Change Tempo' menu.For more bells and whistles, you could use Garageband.
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hello,do you happen to know how to convert a .dct file into an .mp3 (using express scribe and a converter--eg, switch--while preserving the slowed-down speed as part of the saved file?i have dozens of .mp3 tracks of spoken Latin that I'd like to hear at a slower speed until i can understand them at full speed. ideally i'd like to hear them on my iPhone so i can listen on the go (instead of just through my laptop). i just found express scribe, but i couldn't find a way to save the slowed-down file (at half-speed) for transfer to an itunes .mp3 and then the iPhone. do you know a way to do that?thanks in advance for any suggestions!
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hello,do you happen to know how to convert a .dct file into an .mp3 (using express scribe and a converter--eg, switch--while preserving the slowed-down speed as part of the saved file?i have dozens of .mp3 tracks of spoken Latin that I'd like to hear at a slower speed until i can understand them at full speed. ideally i'd like to hear them on my iPhone so i can listen on the go (instead of just through my laptop). i just found express scribe, but i couldn't find a way to save the slowed-down file (at half-speed) for transfer to an itunes .mp3 and then the iPhone. do you know a way to do that?thanks in advance for any suggestions!
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Hi,I don't know how to convert .dct to .mp3, sorry. But if you want to slow down mp3, the easiest way is to use Audacity. Open the song, select the entire track, then go to 'Effects - Change Tempo' menu.For more bells and whistles, you could use Garageband.
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Hmm. Tried to post this before but it didn't seem to go anywhere. Here goes again:To snoop911: you might as a workaround try using Jack (Jack Audio Connection Kit) (or for that matter something else) to route your chipmunk audio---I assume from your comment that you've gotten things to work such that you have fast video plus chipmunk audio---through a pitch shifter to shift the pitch back down. I don't have a specific suggestion re pitch shifter, but I'd say there are lots around by now, either as plugins to audio players (most likely) or possibly as standalone apps. Probably you'll need to find one that works in real time. Jack is free by the way, both as in speech and as in beer ;-). I'm a recent switcher from OS X to gnu/linux, and I used it on OS X 10.3.9, and have it now on Ubuntu Studio. Jack is very nice, and there are probably other ways to route audio too. I don't have a link for it but you might check freshmeat.net. Hopefully this helps. Now I'll try posting this again...
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I don't know of any program that can do what you ask, but as a workaround you might be able to route your chipmunk audio through a pitch shifter---I assume fom your comment that you've gotten things to work where you have the video going at a higher speed, just that the audio is annoyingly chipmunkish. I'm using gnu/linux (ubuntu studio) but I'm a recent switcher from OS X and if you're using either of those you might look into Jack (Jack Audio Connection Kit), a free (as in speech and as in beer) app that routes audio basically anywhere on your computer. If you can find/implement a pitch shifter---and there are probably many that you can find either as plugins to audio players (but you'll have to find one that works in real time) or possibly too as stand-alone apps---then you might be able to get the results you're seeking. Hopefully this helps. Oh, I don't have a link for Jack but you might look at freshmeat.net
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My kingdom for an program that can speed up a video file while maintaining the audio pitch.I've got tons of training / lecture videos that I'd like to review but want to watch at 2x or 3x, without the chipmunk audio!I know there's audio programs that can handle the audio track, but I can't believe there's no video+audio version of it! Its 2010, and none of the fancy high priced video editors (premiere, final cut, etc) have this simple feature!Anyone know of something?
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My kingdom for an program that can speed up a video file while maintaining the audio pitch.I've got tons of training / lecture videos that I'd like to review but want to watch at 2x or 3x, without the chipmunk audio!I know there's audio programs that can handle the audio track, but I can't believe there's no video+audio version of it! Its 2010, and none of the fancy high priced video editors (premiere, final cut, etc) have this simple feature!Anyone know of something?
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I don't know of any program that can do what you ask, but as a workaround you might be able to route your chipmunk audio through a pitch shifter---I assume fom your comment that you've gotten things to work where you have the video going at a higher speed, just that the audio is annoyingly chipmunkish. I'm using gnu/linux (ubuntu studio) but I'm a recent switcher from OS X and if you're using either of those you might look into Jack (Jack Audio Connection Kit), a free (as in speech and as in beer) app that routes audio basically anywhere on your computer. If you can find/implement a pitch shifter---and there are probably many that you can find either as plugins to audio players (but you'll have to find one that works in real time) or possibly too as stand-alone apps---then you might be able to get the results you're seeking. Hopefully this helps. Oh, I don't have a link for Jack but you might look at freshmeat.net
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Great find, could be very useful!
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would love if could get this free...
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It is free.
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Are you in need of transcription services? Well, then an audio to text translator software is the thing for you. But then, the market today is full of many such software programs which make spotting a reliable one often a hard task.
Related:
However, you donât have to bother anymore as here we have compiled a full list of some of the best audio to text translator software programs that will make everything simpler for you.
GoTranscript
This is another very powerful audio to text transcription converter which is used by companies globally. From academic transcriptions to legal ones- GoTranscript can perform all. The service program is largely used by students, academic professionals, lawyers, police, judges and so on. The company also assures an award-winner customer support.
Express Scribe
You are getting a pro audio player program here for Mac or PC that assists in audio recording transcriptions. The program comes with valuable features to help the typists such as varied speed playback, video playing, multi-channel control, file management and so on. The user will control the audio playback here with keyboard hot keys or transcription foot-pedal.
VoiceBase
The software is equipped with APIs that helps in speech recognition & speech analytics which further helps in easy insight into what customer speaks to the company staff. The software promises accurate-most speech recognition. The keyword spotting analysis as facilitated by the software helps in efficient and fast extraction of insights.
Speechlogger
![Text Text](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126452877/245637683.jpg)
This is a very reputed web app which is dedicated to fantastic speech recognition for converting audio to text versions as well as immediate voice translation. The program runs on advanced speech-to-text technology by Google to ensure best results. Itâs the sole app that comes with auto-save, auto-punctuation, timestamps, in-text editing & export options.
Dragon for Mac
This all-new software has to be on the list as it promises 15 percent more accurate speedy speech recognition than ever. You are also getting versatile transcription & mobility features that hike up your productivity at the work place. If you want to reduce the typing stress, just dictate to Dragon and it will do the work for you.
InqScribe
The list would stay incomplete without the mention of Inqscribe. Itâs a much recommended name among transcribers which enables one to play videos & type the transcripts in same window. Whether you are taking notes or need word-to-word transcription, this audio to text conversion program would be your handy aide for everything.
Audio to Text Translator Software for Various Platforms
How To Transcribe Audio
You will find a huge assortment of audio to text translator software applications for various platforms today. The one you are going for should match your systemâs OS as otherwise it wonât work. Not every such software programs are meant for all operating systems as there are some software applications that only work for specific OS.
Free Windows Audio to Text Translator
Transcribe Mp3 To Text
When it comes to a good free Windows audio to text translator software, Wave To Text is a great name no doubt. This is a speech recognition-based (English) dictation program with audio to text conversion facility. You will be able to convert from voice to the text file just in real-time.
Free Android Audio to Text Translator â Evernote
If you are in quest of a good free Android audio to text translator software, donât look past Evernote . It was previously meant to just record the audio notes like meeting notes or lectures but it now it can even turn the audiofiles to text. The app will save both the text & audio files together so that itâs easier for you to find out your recorded note.
Free Mac Audio to Text Translator Software â MAXQDA
When you are in quest of a credible free Mac audio to text translator software, MAXQDA would be a great option anyday. The powerful transcription software comes with a robust data analysis functionality which makes data recognition easier for the users. It can analyze audio & video files, interviews, online surveys & images.
Most Popular Audio to Text Translator for 2016 â Transcribe
The best bit about Transcribe is that it comes with audio player integrated well with text editor and that too on same screen. This way, you are saved from switching back & forth between audio player & editor. No wonder, a great deal of time is saved, much to the convenience of users.
If you want to know about most popular audio to text translator software for 2016, Transcribe is the name for you. Itâs a favorite of students and journalists as it helps them to save volumes of time and enhance productivity, courtesy the softwareâs 2-3x faster audio transcription service. Itâs used all over the world.
What is an Audio to Text Translator Software?
An audio to text translator software is a program which helps to convert audio files into text files. Thus, itâs also referred to as transcription software sometimes. The transcription process can be performed manually or even automatically- however, it will depend on the very advancement of your software.
The audio to text converter software comes with speech recognition capacity and can convert various kinds of audio files such as interviews, music files in MP3, online surveys and so on. Some of the more advanced options can even convert video files and images into text files. The leading ones also come with in-text editing feature.
How to Install Audio to Text Translator Software?
Transcribe Audio To Text Free
To install audio to text translator software, download the chosen software first through its download link. However, before you click on the download link, make sure the software matches your systemâs OS. After you download the software, you will have the installation link followed by the needed instructions on installing the software.
Benefits of Audio to Text Translator Software
Many times you would need to have a text copy of the audio files for a better understanding of the matter. It could be noted from a lecture or meeting or a phone conversation with a client or for any data in an audio file. A textual picture always assures a better grasp on any information or message.
This is where the audio to text translator software options come in. These are largely used by students, journalists, medical professionals, solicitors, police, court clerk, lawyers and so on. There are some audio to text converter softwares that are specifically designed for certain industries like medical or law.
When you are planning to install an audio to text converter program, check out what kind of audio files the program can support. Your chosen one should be able to support all major audio files. When it comes to using these software programs, well, they are pretty simple to run.