If you’re confused about what the term “transcribe” means, we’ve got you covered. To transcribe is the process of creating a written copy, particularly a typewritten copy, of dictated material, notes taken during a lecture, or other spoken material. Transcribing something gives you an accurate, typed out record, of what was said.
The most common method of transcribing is turning spoken words into text, such as when an audio file is typed or written into a text document that may be edited. We will also go through the different types of transcriptions, and how much transcription services cost in this article.
Transcribing was invented around 3400 BC by kings who wanted to record history and laws. Today, transcription services are offered for corporations, academic institutions, law firms and law enforcement agencies, and many other industries.
Transcribing speeches, meetings, conferences, and audio into usable text are a few examples of general transcription. Some businesses will also transcribe an audio or video recording that is delivered over the Internet (i.e., recorded Microsoft Teams meetings), on CD, VHS, or cassette.
Examples of Transcribe in a Sentence
Examples do not represent the meaning of transcribe, make a written copy, but they can help illustrate how the verb is used in different contexts.
- In a piece of music, for example, a transcriber may transcribe the pronunciation of lyrics to accurately capture the song’s lyrical content.
- During the meeting, Jenna was asked to transcribe the minutes so that everyone would have a record of what was discussed.
- The historian spent hours in the library attempting to transcribe the ancient Egyptian manuscript into modern English.
- As part of his training, the apprentice learned to transcribe his master’s lectures verbatim to improve his note-taking skills.
Different Types of Transcriptions
Today, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to transcribing audio and video. Various industries and applications require different types of transcription. Whether you’re an attorney, doctor, nurse, secretary, CEO, or teacher the benefits of transcribing audio and video to text are many.
Phonetic Transcription
Also known as a written phonetic, phonetic transcription is the process of writing down the sounds of a language in symbols that represent those sounds.
Verbatim Transcription
Verbatim transcription is possibly the most accurate approach to translating audio or video recordings. Pauses, false starts, and filler words like “uh” or “you know” are included in this sort of transcription since it captures every word that was said on the recording.
Intelligent Verbatim Transcription
Intelligent verbatim transcription is like verbatim transcription in that it includes all of the speaker’s words. However, intelligent verbatim transcription omits filler words or phrases.
These types of transcriptions can be helpful for people who want to quickly review a conversation or those who need to transcribe a file for legal, medical, or business purposes.
Edited Transcription
Edited transcription is a type of transcription that is polished and made more presentable. That said, it’s important to know that while the final version is easy to read, it may not include every word spoken. This type of transcription is usually done by businesses or organizations that want to ensure their communication is clear and concise.
However, as some meaning may be lost in the editing process, edited transcripts are not always 100% accurate.
How Much Does Transcription Cost
Pricing for specific transcribing services will range from $1.50 to $5.00 per audio minute. The number of speakers and minutes, audio quality, turnaround time, and special requirements and circumstances all affect the final cost. If someone requires precise transcripts right away, same-day services are also offered.
Please be aware that all same-day requests must be made by phone so that everyone is on the same page and then we can begin working on your transcript immediately.
Transcription Rates:
Category A:
- Single-person digitally recorded story or formal one-on-one interview (i.e., note-taking for active or prospective cases you may be working on).
- After a hearing, you can use a smartphone app to dictate notes outside the courtroom, and we’ll have it transcribed for you immediately or within a few days.
- Your client may be subjected to a one-on-one interview or perhaps a meeting to prepare for a deposition. These would include any other two-person meetings or interviews, official or casual.
Category B:
- Any audio that comprises three or more people has a lot of background noise or has difficult-to-understand voices (i.e., poor recording, soft voices, etc.).
This category includes court hearings. Other applications could consist of formal depositions with your client and the opposing lawyer, a conference call with two other lawyers discussing a case, presentations with highly technical language or speakers with thick accents, panel discussions, focus groups, or seminars with a large number of attendees.
Any audio with poor quality is also included, which makes transcribing take longer because we can’t hear the participants properly. Music, wind, or traffic noise pouring in through an open window can all cause a loud background noise.
Extras & Add Ons
Time stamps come with a 25-cent per minute surcharge. Additionally, verbatim transcripts will cost an extra 25 cents each minute. Unless you request a verbatim transcript, filler words like “um” and “uh” are removed from the final file.
Ditto Transcripts has the right to raise our general transcription charges at any time and without notice due to bad audio files, verbatim transcription, and other factors. Audio issues could be poor quality, in-and-out fading, low voices, muted background noises, speakers from a distance, etc.
If you’re in doubt, before moving forward with your audio or video clip, we will let you know if our rates change (s).
Transcripts from the state of Colorado’s DMV are NOT included in the average transcribing fees indicated above. State of Colorado DMV transcripts cost $3.50 per page to get transcribed.
Ditto Transcripts can be reached at (720) 287-3710 for accurate and same-day pricing.
Why Ditto Transcripts?
Ditto Transcripts is located in beautiful Denver, Colorado. We have General Liability, and Cyber Liability insurance policies. We are also a fully CJIS– and HIPAA-compliant transcription services company.
Our highly trained, U.S.-based human transcriptionists are adept at handling any quality audio. With our 14+ years of experience being a full-service transcription company, you will get back completed transcripts with 99% accuracy rates guaranteed or your money back.
As you can see, we take pleasure in our work, and we’re always here to help. Call us at (720) 287-3710 for more information. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (MST).
