How to transcribe audio -

Audio transcription is the process of converting spoken words from an audio file into a written text format. This is crucial for many reasons: it makes information easily accessible, searchable, and storable. Imagine having a meeting or an interview that you can refer back to without listening to hours of audio. That’s the power of a transcript. It can be tricky to deal with hours-long audio files. This blog provides you with steps for automatic transcription.

Why transcribe audio?

The Role of Transcription in Improving Workflow and Accessibility

Transcriptions can significantly improve workflow and accessibility:

Improved Workflow:
- Searchability: Text is easier to search than audio. Need to find a specific point in a meeting? Just search the transcript.
- Editing: Text can be quickly reviewed and edited, saving time compared to listening to audio.
Enhanced Accessibility:
- Language Translation: It’s easier to translate text than audio, making content accessible in multiple languages.
- Content Repurposing: Transcripts can be used to create blog posts, articles, or social media content.

Different Types of Audio Files That Can Be Transcribed

Audio files come in various formats, and almost all can be transcribed into text. Common formats include:

MP3: Widely used for music and podcasts.
WAV: High-quality audio, often used in professional settings.
MP4: Combines audio and video, useful for webinars and meetings.
MOV: Common in video recordings.

Transcriptions transform how we handle and access information, making work more efficient and content more inclusive. It is therefore important to transcribe audio.

How to Transcribe Audio

Human Transcription

Manual transcription involves a human transcriber listening to audio and typing out what is heard. This process requires a high level of concentration and attention to detail.

Tools Used by Human Transcribers:

Transcription Software: Programs like Express Scribe allow transcribers to control playback speed, making it easier to catch every word.
Headsets: High-quality headsets ensure clear audio, reducing the chance of mishearing words.

Benefits and Limitations:

Benefits:

Accuracy: Human transcribers can understand context, accents, and nuances better than machines.
Flexibility: They can adapt to different transcription styles, such as verbatim or non-verbatim.

Limitations:

Time-Consuming: Transcribing an hour of audio can take 3-5 hours.
Cost: Human transcription services are usually more expensive than automated options.

Automated Transcription

Automated transcription uses software or web-based AI platforms to transcribe audio to text.

Benefits:

Speed: Automated systems can transcribe audio almost in real-time.
Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than human transcription.
Convenience: Easy to use and can handle large volumes of audio quickly.

Machine Learning Improvements:

Continuous Learning: AI platforms improve over time by learning from corrections and repeated use.
Adaptation: They can adapt to specific speakers and terminology, increasing accuracy with repeated use.

However, automatic transcription is more capable of recognizing clear and standard speech content, so if you want to use the automatic transcription function, you can pay attention to the following points when recording.

Using Zeemo to Transcribe Audio

Zeemo is a powerful AI tool that can streamline and expedite the transcription process, saving time and effort while maintaining accuracy.

Step 1: Upload Audio

To transcribe audio to text using Zeemo, start by selecting the audio file you want to work with. You can upload audio from your computer or phone to get transcribed.

Step 2 : Transcribe Audio

Select the original language of your video. Zeemo supports bilingual translation in nearly 100 languages. You can also make any necessary adjustments to the text with Zeemo’s batch-editing feature. Say goodbye to manual audio transcription!

Step 3: Export Text File

Once you have completed the process of the audio transcription, you can export the transcribed text. Zeemo typically offers TXT and SRT options to export the transcription as a text file.

Uses of Audio Transcriptions

Note Taking and Sharing

Audio transcriptions are invaluable for note-taking and sharing across various fields. It is suitable for multiple scenarios. If you are confused about the application of transcribing text, here are some scenario examples:

Corporate: Executives can dictate meeting notes, which can be transcribed for easy distribution among team members. This ensures everyone is on the same page without needing to attend the meeting.
Academia: Professors and students can record lectures and have them transcribed. This creates a written record that can be easily reviewed and studied later.
Market Research: Researchers can transcribe focus group discussions and interviews. This allows for detailed analysis and comparison of participant responses.
Journalism: Reporters can record interviews and transcribe them to ensure accurate quotes in their articles. This saves time and increases the reliability of published stories.
Medical: Doctors can dictate patient notes and have them transcribed. This creates an accurate and searchable record of patient history and treatment plans.
Legal: Lawyers can transcribe depositions and court hearings. This provides a written record that can be referenced during case preparation.
Government: Public officials can transcribe meeting minutes and public speeches. This ensures transparency and accessibility for the public.

Documentation and Accessibility

Transcriptions offer numerous benefits for documentation and accessibility:

Storage: Text files take up less space than audio or video files, making them easier to store and manage.
Evidence: Written transcripts provide a reliable record that can be used as evidence in legal cases or investigations.
Archives: Transcriptions create a permanent record of events, discussions, and presentations, invaluable for historical records.

SEO Benefits

Transcriptions play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO):

Role in SEO: Search engines like Google cannot index audio or video content directly. Transcribing this content into text allows it to be indexed, increasing visibility in search results.

Examples of Content Types That Gain SEO Benefits from Being Transcribed:

Transcription is a powerful tool for amplifying the SEO value of various types of content. Here’s how different formats benefit from being transcribed:

Podcasts: By converting your podcast episodes into text, you create new opportunities for search engines to index and surface your content. Transcriptions ensure that the rich, topical conversations that take place in your audio content become accessible to anyone searching for those subjects.
Webinars: The educational and informative content of webinars is a treasure trove for SEO. When transcribed, these sessions can be repurposed into comprehensive blog posts, white papers, or even a series of articles, significantly extending their lifespan and searchability.
Video Content: Videos, particularly those hosted on platforms like YouTube, see a marked improvement in their search rankings when accompanied by transcripts. This not only helps in attracting a broader viewership but also enables your content to be featured in video snippets on search result pages.
Vlogs: Vlogs often cover a wide range of topics in a personal and engaging format. Transcribing this content not only caters to a wider audience, including those who prefer reading over watching, but it also provides rich keyword content for search engines to latch onto.
Interviews: The unique insights and perspectives shared in interviews can be captured through transcription. Once in text form, these conversations can be sliced and diced into a variety of content formats, from in-depth articles to snackable social media posts, each with the potential to target different keywords and audiences.

Incorporating transcriptions into your content strategy is more than just a nod to inclusivity; it’s a savvy SEO move. It ensures that the valuable spoken words don’t fade away with the end of a video or podcast but continue to live on, discoverable by search engines, and accessible to a global audience. This strategy not only enhances the user experience by providing multiple ways to consume content but also significantly boosts your online presence, making your content a powerful asset in the competitive digital landscape.

Audio Transcription Styles and What to Choose

Non-Verbatim Transcription

Definition and Scenarios Where It Is Useful: Non-verbatim transcription involves converting audio to text while omitting filler words, false starts, and irrelevant interjections. This style focuses on delivering the core message without the clutter of casual speech.

How It Improves Readability:

Clarity: By removing filler words like “uh,” “um,” and “you know,” non-verbatim transcription creates a cleaner, more readable document.
Conciseness: Eliminating unnecessary words and phrases makes the text easier to follow.
Professionalism: Suitable for business meetings, academic lectures, and formal presentations where clarity and brevity are essential.

Smart Verbatim Transcription

Captures Every Audible Word, Including Interjections and Colloquialisms: Smart verbatim transcription includes all spoken words, even casual interjections and colloquial expressions. However, it avoids filler words that don’t add value to the content.

Suitable for Capturing the Essence of the Audio:

Authenticity: This style maintains the speaker’s original tone and manner of speaking, providing a more authentic transcript.
Contextual Understanding: Ideal for interviews, focus groups, and legal depositions where understanding the speaker’s exact words and context is crucial.

Pure Verbatim Transcription

Includes Every Utterance and Non-Word Spoken: Pure verbatim transcription is the most detailed style, capturing every spoken word, sound, and non-verbal utterance. This includes “uh,” “um,” laughter, pauses, and even background noises.

Important for Capturing All Nuances of the Original Audio:

Complete Accuracy: Essential for legal proceedings, research studies, and detailed interviews where every detail matters.
Contextual Depth: Provides a comprehensive view of the speaker’s thoughts, hesitations, and emotions.

Summary:

Non-Verbatim: Best for clarity and professionalism.
Smart Verbatim: Balances authenticity with readability.
Pure Verbatim: Captures every detail for in-depth analysis.

Choosing the right transcription style depends on the specific needs of your project and audience. Each style serves a unique purpose and offers different levels of detail and readability.