Valuable tips for quality audio recordings

We’re committed to providing top quality transcripts, however, we’re unable to perform miracles from poor quality audio recordings.  Below are suggestions for how you can achieve better audio recordings which, in turn, means more complete transcripts which are turned around faster:

• Background noise during recording is minimised (i.e. no music, chat, traffic, clicking of pens and with mobile phones switched off or on silent) as this can affect the quality of the digital dictation recording.
• Once the recording has started and prior to the interview getting underway, it’s helpful if all participants introduce themselves as this will enable us to more accurately identify them by matching their voice to their name.
• All participants talk slowly and clearly.
• Where there are multiple people in an interview, as much as possible have only one person talking at a time (i.e. eliminate over talking and interruptions) as this enables us clearly hear what is said and capture more of the content.
• Place the recording equipment centrally so the voices of all participants are clear.
• The voice recording app on mobile phones or recording equipment specifically for transcription is most suitable.  Recorders used for note taking (often used by students) don’t provide optimum sound quality for recordings which need to be transcribed.
• A smaller room for the interview has better acoustics than a larger room.
• Provide spelling of unusual names and terms so we can return a more complete and accurate transcript to you.
• We have our standard Word document templates or we can use your template as this ensures consistency of the format for your transcripts.  Alternatively, chat with us about creating a template specific to your requirements.

For more information about digital transcription services contact Purple Giraffe.