Transcription Pricing

Our Process

More Info On:

Choosing a Transcription Recording Device

If you are going to be recording audio for transcription, it is important to acquire the best sound possible for transcription accuracy. Please consider recording on one of the following devices listed in order of preference.

1. Portable Digital recorders
2. Digital Video Camera with an external microphone (not the built in one)
3. Legacy Devices - Pogo Ripflash Recorder and MiniDisc recording
4. Standard Size Audio cassette (not micro-cassettes)

We recommend investing in either a MP3 recorder or WMA recorder and a decent microphone.

If you have already recorded your audio, see our section on duplicating your tapes.

Portable Recording Devices for Digital Transcription

Currently we recommend only the Zoom H2, Zoom H4, or the Tascam DR-05 & 03, . This set of devices when used with our recommended settings have the potential of recording 'Type-1' audio for interview transcription. We think the Zoom H2 is the best choice overall in terms of price, performance and size.

The Zoom recorders include more professional features and record directly in the MP3 format which we prefer. Use the links above to get the most current prices for the H4 and H2.

The Sony ECM-MS907 listed above will not work with the Zoom H4.

We do NOT recommend any device that records in the DSS or DVF format. They sound horrible and will NOT qualify for Type-1 billing. The Olympus records in the much higher quality WMA format.

Legacy Recorders:

Recommended Setting for Olympus DS-40/DS-61 (Archival Information):

You can download the DS-40 Manual here. Voice Activated Recording (VCVA) Page 28 of DS-40 Manual: Turn it OFF! Never use voice activated recording. Recording Modes - Page 30 The device comes default in "HQ" mode. The possible choices are ST XQ, ST HQ, HQ, SP and LP Use "ST XQ" or "ST HQ" mode. Under no circumstances use SP or LP mode. These quality settings directly impact the recording quality. To get the best possible sound, use the best possible setting. In ST XQ mode, you can record 8 hours and 40 minutes before having to download it to your computer. ST HQ mode provide 17 hours. Microphone Sensitivity - Page 31 Use either the "Lecture" mode or "Conference" mode. Adjust as needed based on the record level indicator on the front of the device. We also recommend using an external microphone Low Cut Filter - Page 32 Turn this ON. This will help eliminate a lot of 'rumble' sound. Downloading Files to Your Computer - See Page 73

Olympus DS-40 for Transcription Recording

Attaching an External Microphone - WS-100 to WS210 series. Attach an external microphone to the 'Mic' IN port on the top of the device. Using an external microphone such as the Sony ECM-MS907 will greatly improve your audio quality. The built in microphones on most of these small devices are pretty crummy.	Use External Mic for better quality transcripts.
Downloading Files from WS-100 or WS-200s The WS-100 pulls apart in the middle to reveal a USB connector. Plug this into your computer, Windows or Macintosh and it is recognized as a 'drive'. Drag the files from the 'drive' and place them onto your computer's desktop. Follow upload directions to get the files to us. Be sure to back up your files before erasing them from the device!!	USB Port for accessing transcription audio.   Connected to you computer via USB cable.

Pogo RipFlash Trio (Legacy Info - Device not available for purchase anymore as of 1/5/2005)

The Pogo RipFlash Trio 128MB MP3 Recorder will allow you to record up to 9 hours of audio to it built in memory. Please see our menu settings below to get the best results.

This product comes with a lapel microphone which we recommend that you use when recording interviews. Attach the lapel microphone to the collar of the person you are interviewing. It is also possible to place the lapel microphone on the table in front of the person speaking, but we recommend attaching it to your subject's shirt collar.

Recommended Setting for Pogo Product (Legacy info):

You will need to read the manual with regards to using the menu settings:

Once you are in the 'Voice Record' mode enter the menu and adjust the setting to reflect these changes:

Contact us to set up an FTP account for use in uploading your MP3 audio for transcription. The device can save the files to your Windows computer. Each file will be called "VOICE0xx.MP3". This file can then be sent to us via FTP, thus eliminating your shipping costs and decreasing your turnaround time.

Back

Digital Video Camera

All of the current DV cameras can double as portable sound recording devices. Set your audio to '16 bit' and you have a format that is equivalent to a DAT player. ('16 bit' mode on DV cameras record at 48hz, '12 bit' records at 32 khz). Simply plug in a decent microphone and hit record. Try to avoid using the built in microphone if possible. You can monitor the sound quality with headphones. See the manual that came with your DV camera for how to change the audio settings as we have no idea how your particular camera works.

While some people you record might be wary of being recorded on video, it is not necessary to shoot picture while recording sound. Just leave the lens cap on and, if need be, point it away from the subject. Make sure to keep whatever microphone is recording the audio pointed at the person talking!

What you'll end up with is a video tape that has audio and 'black' picture. For transcription, dub the DV tape to DVD or convert it to digital video and send it in.

Back

Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When we really listen to people there is an alternating current, and this recharges us so that we never get tired of each other. We are constantly being re-created.
--Brenda Ueland