Skip to main content

Recording and Conversion Software for Transcription

The more tools you have, the easier it will be to do your transcribing work. For instance, you need a video or audio file to incorporate into your transcription software. And sometimes, the files aren’t provided by clients or they aren’t downloadable from shared links. So, you’ll need recording software in order to capture video or audio files yourself. And conversion software may be needed from time to time as well. Therefore, it makes sense to briefly mention conversion software in this post instead of in its own separate post. Conversion software can be helpful in different situations – not just for transcribing – so it’s handy to have anyway. Recording and conversion software for transcription doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes, you might find that a free one meets your needs just as well.

Just be aware that lots of recording software or programs will record anything it hears and not just the audio or video you’re recording. So, silence in the recording room will have to be maintained with these programs.

Free Recording Software

Here is a list of 20 Free Audio Recording Software. At a glance, I don’t think all of them are helpful for a simple audio recording that we need as transcriptionists. But they’re worth checking out to see which ones are suitable to use for transcription purposes.

Look over this list of 13 Best Screen Recorders. There are some paid recorders included among the free ones. Also, there are audio recorders in this list as well as screen recorders.

Your computer may have built-in audio recording capabilities, so check that out as well.

Inexpensive Recording and Conversion Software

I have found that FastStone Capture is one of the easiest recording programs to use. It’s very simple, which is what a busy transcriptionist needs. It costs only $19.95 for a lifetime license. This software also allows you to select a setting so that it will record only what is heard through the speakers so that you have the freedom to talk in the room during a recording session. It also automatically pauses your screensaver so your screen recordings won’t be ruined. It records as WMV files only though which, as I have mentioned before, do not play well in my transcribing software.

FastStone Capture Screen Recording Software
FastStone Capture screen recorder

So, if you run into that problem also, I have a fix for that. I use an inexpensive conversion software called Applian Replay Converter to convert the WMV into an MP4 or MP3 file. It’s $9.95 when you purchase it alone. They offer a nice discount when you buy their complete suite of products, which also includes a recorder. I do find their recorder challenging to use though. Their products are renewable with an annual fee.

Applian Replay Converter
Applian Replay Converter

Here is a list of 17 free conversion products. Scroll down the page at the link I’ve provided until you finally see them. I can’t vouch for any of them, but you may find one that works well for you.

I found a site with several pages of [mostly] paid recording software. There are a few free ones listed as well. Pay close attention to the paid programs. Some are stored on a cloud and allow very limited storage space. Look for ones like FastStone Capture (if you choose to NOT use FastStone) that allow you unlimited recordings that you can store wherever you prefer.

Screen Recorder or Audio Recorder?

So, how do you decide whether to record audio or video? If you have only an audio file, then obviously, you should use an audio recorder. Although, if you have a screen recorder, you can use it. You’ll just have a constant image of your screen in your video.

You can choose either one as well for recording videos. However, if you have a video with 3 or more speakers that are difficult to identify who is speaking, then I recommend that you use a screen recorder so you can see who is talking. That will make it easier to correctly identify and list the speakers. Also, videos will sometimes reveal words and phrases that are mentioned – such as PowerPoint slides, etc. so that you’ll need to do less research. FYI: Audio files are going to be smaller and easier for your transcribing software to handle. So, if a video is no more helpful than an audio file, then choose to record audio. Shortcut tip: If you have a video recorder only, then you can use your converter to convert your video to an audio file.

I hope you found this post about recording and conversion software for transcription helpful. You can find more informative posts like this one in my work-from-home series that pairs with my book Transcribe Like a Pro: Making Money from Home. Until my next post, stay safe and stay well.

Comments

Other Posts You Might Like

Free Simplicity Cross Stitch Designs

I have been working on these free cross stitch designs for a couple of months, and I finally have the download ready to share with you. The free PDF download allows you to use for  personal items only , because this bundle (8 borders and 4 alphabet sets) of Simplicity cross stitch designs is a $50 value. Continue reading below to find out how to get a commercial license. Sample of some of the designs Drawing Simplicity  Block Border YouTube video of  6 stitches often used in Simply Making Life cross stitch designs If you wish to purchase the commercial license for $25, I have provided that button below the free download button. The commercial license allows you to make as many items as you want using these cross stitch designs. This does not give you rights to sell the PDF or any of the designs within the PDF. All details are inside the free PDF download. All rights belong solely to me regardless of any adjustments you make to these designs. Please give designer credit to Patri

Love Never Fails

 After Saul (Paul) was converted from Judaism, in which he was a trained priest, to Christianity on the road to Damascus, he spent a few years learning how to be a better person for God's new work in Christ. After God prepared him, Paul started preaching the Good News to people in different cities. One of those cities was Corinth in Greece. When Paul needed to correct - or praise - some teachings of the churches that were established in these cities but couldn't get back to them right away, he would write them letters. One of these letters (often called epistles) is called I Corinthians in the Holy Bible.  The message I want to bring to your attention today is what Paul was telling this church about love. He told them in verse 16:14 to, " Do everything with love. " (NLT) The NKJV read as, " Let all that you do be done with love. " What a difference we could make in the world if we could all follow this beautiful advice.  In the same Book of I Corinthians 13:

New Elderly Tips

I have added some elderly tips  to my Senior Care Memoirs website. We all have a senior in our family, such as a parent or grandparent. Or we see elderly people while we're shopping. They deserve to feel respected and independent. So, I have added these new tips as some helpful advice. Watch for posts to be added to the Senior Care Memoirs site more frequently as new stages evolve in my senior family members' lives.  I hope you enjoy these tips and other upcoming posts. Together, we can figure this out. We're going to fill our blank canvas with helpful information. I won't be posting any future updates to the other site here, so you will want to bookmark it if you're interested in reading this type of information. Thanks for stopping by today. Image courtesy of Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash Blessings, Patricia