Digital Transcriptions

[Girl Friday]

Hi,

I have had some requests to do digital transcriptions. I can use my existing head phones but still need to secure a USB footpedal.

My question is: which is the best digital transcription software?

I know you can download most of them for free but how do I choose. Are they all compatible with whatever the client would be using. Just not sure how it all works.

What do you use??

Thanks.

[Tess]

Hi Danielle, I'm sorry I can't be of much help on this one as I don't officially offer transcription and only do so very rarely for select clients.

I'd suggest that if you're 'not sure how it works' you may wish to pursue a lesson in the process before offering it. (Just my 2 cents )

When I do need to perform this task though, I just use my standard MP3 player like Winamp or Windows (I've only ever received digital files for transcription) OR I also like Audacity which is a sound file editing software but also works great for this - particularly when the original file needs to be edited and accompany the transcription on return to the client.

[Clerical Advantage]

I have Express Scribe, which was free. I haven't used it in my business yet, but I did use it for my medical transcription class, it works great with my USB footpedal.

[Girl Friday]

I downloaded Express Scribe. It seems to work great. I can even use hotkeys instead of a footpedal. I'm still trying to buy a footpedal.

What I also need to know is how would someone upload their digital recordings onto their computer from a hand held digital recorder so they can email it to me??

[Tess]

It depends on the machine they're using.

I have a client who recorded on Olympus machines and then would send me the original (Olympus) file - I had to download a (free) conversion software from the Olympus site and use that to create an MP3 from each recording...the software was small in size and very easy to install and work with. Literally, a few clicks to convert.

Most of the better brands offer various free software at their websites specifically for each model of recorder used - or a general overall software when available.

Hi Danielle, I'm sorry I can't be of much help on this one as I don't officially offer transcription and only do so very rarely for select clients.

I'd suggest that if you're 'not sure how it works' you may wish to pursue a lesson in the process before offering it. (Just my 2 cents )

When I do need to perform this task though, I just use my standard MP3 player like Winamp or Windows (I've only ever received digital files for transcription) OR I also like Audacity which is a sound file editing software but also works great for this - particularly when the original file needs to be edited and accompany the transcription on return to the client.

Do you have recommendations on places to take such lessons? I can find plenty of places to get accreditation on being a VA but none on taking classes for certain aspects of the VA world- well at least none that aren't in the ' too good to be true' category.

[Prime Admin Solutions]

You could also just practice, practice and practice some more until you are confident in your abilities. If transcription is not your forte, you might want to reconsider offering it as a service. You don't want to disappoint a client with a less than excellent transcription as it may affect their confidence in the other services you offer that you are really good at.

Check eBay for a foot pedal that's where I got mine.

[let me type it]

Express Scribe does take a lot of file formats, including Olympus' I believe. Maybe it's the newer version, but I don't think you need conversion software anymore. I could be wrong though...

[sms46030]

Can someone tell me how long it takes to become a certified transcriber. I do data entry, but have never transcribed before. What does it take as far as training and how long? Thanks for any help I can get.

[AWVBM]

I am also interested in becoming a "certified transcriber." Is this something that will help my business? I'm a good transcriber already, so is it necessary to become "certified" at all?