Transcription Resources

Quality audio helps quality transcription. Poor transcription is often the result of bad quality audio. Here are four simple suggestions to improve the quality of your recording.

The recorder or microphone should be placed close to the speaker

• For presentations, record directly from the microphone.
• For an interview, place the recorder closer to the person you are interviewing rather than to yourself.
• For a group discussion, a roundtable conference, or a focus group discussion, use an "omni-directional" microphone.

Minimize background noise

• Record your interview in a quiet place. Cars, other people, coughs, and paper shuffling will always be louder than the speaker, even in a small group. It is advisable to give your speaker a lapel microphone.
• Keep the mike away from sources of noise you might have. The room can seem quiet to you but a sensitive microphone picks up all sorts of sounds you wouldn't suspect. For example, fluorescent light fixtures and computer air vents cause a lot of disturbance.
• Put the microphone on a stand. Holding the mike in your hand can result in rubbing noises when you shift your hand.
• If you have noise that you cannot trace, it may be that the microphone is picking up vibrations from the surface it is placed on. In such cases, place the stand on a surface that isn't vibrating, or put a cushion—for example, a mouse pad—between the vibrating surface and the microphone stand.

Use good equipment

• Use standard size cassettes whenever possible. Full-size cassettes provide three times better sound quality than micro or mini-cassettes and are more durable. Always use quality brand-name tapes.
• Check your batteries. If you don't know how old they are, replace them.
• Some recorders possess a voice activation feature that shuts off the recording when the sound level falls below a certain level. If your tape has such a feature, you should make sure it is not activated.
• Most micro-cassette recorders have two speeds. Set the recorder on the standard speed. By choosing a low speed, you will be doubling the amount of noise on the recording and harming the audio quality.
• If you record on a regular basis, invest in a high-quality recorder and microphone.

Facilitate the recording

• Announce and spell the names of speakers at the beginning of the recording.
• If in a two- or three-person group, it is important that individuals be identified in the transcript. Therefore, have them identify themselves at the beginning of the session. If you want us to match a name with a voice, they must identify themselves every time they speak.
• Give us a terminology list whenever possible; any related material or PowerPoint presentation is also helpful.
• Last but not the least, test the recording. Stop and listen after a few minutes of conversation to make sure everything is working properly and the most important voices can be heard clearly. If you are not satisfied with the recording, try to figure out what went wrong. Take the appropriate corrective measures and record again.