Hi,
Good day to all. I’m just new here and badly need help. Does anybody here knows any software or service where I can transcribe my audio files into text? I have tons of it in different formats and I have no time listening to all of it and transcribe it into words. I’m willing to spend a few bucks for it but better if it will be free.
Thanks,
Allan
Do a Google search for “transcription services”. A commercial transcription service is likely to give the most accurate transcription.
There is also commercial software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, that can convert spoken voice into text, but for accurate results you have to spend some time “training” the program to recognise your voice, and the words need to be spoken clearly.
It is likely to cost more than “a few bucks”. Prices are likely to be from about $100 per hour of recording, and you will probably need to provide the files in a format that is supported by the service.
Gee thanks. I didn’t know it was that expensive.
Imagine if you were the person charging for the job rather than the person paying.
At, say, 200 spoken words per minute, that would be 12,000 words per hour. At say 600 words per page, that’s about 20 pages single spacing, and I presume that it needs to be accurate, regardless of how clearly you speak (or not), and how clear the recording is (or is not). How much would you charge?
Hello Allan,
You can also try audio to text services like speechtotextservice. These services are more efficient and accurate. You can also request output in any desired formats. Turnaround speed is fast and the process to upload files is very simple. It’s highly accurate and the cheapest around I guess. I think you should give it a try. Hope this helps.
There are thousands of such companies on the Internet which Is why I suggested doing an internet search. Prices generally start FROM around $1 US per minute of audio.
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Hey this speechtotextservice is cool. Will definitely consider your suggestion as I’m a bit desperate and time pressured. Thanks Steve.
To be clear, I did not recommend any particular service. I’ve never used that service - it may be brilliant or they may be scamming cowboys, I’ve no idea, I’ve not used them.
What I suggested was that you could look on line for transcriptions services - there are hundreds of them. The mostly charge from around $1 US per minute of audio.
When I see the words “from $…” I usually find that after adding up all the extras and bit’s and pieces it generally costs around 50% more than the “from” price. Thus my off the cuff calculation: $1 per minute = $60 per hour. Add on 50% for “from” = $60 + $30. So probably close to $100 per hour of audio by the time you’re done.
If these transcriptions are important, then you need to either trust that they are accurate and complete, or you will need to proof read them. Perhaps you have a friend or acquaintance that can type, be trusted, would welcome $60, has the time and does not have business overheads that could transcribe them for you? It’s worth paying someone well for a job well done, then they are more likely to help you again 
Well said. Again, thank you Stivie