Transcription Services

For fast and accurate transcription services of individual dictation, one-on-one and group interviews, focus groups, and more, send us your recordings in the following formats and we'll handle all of your transcription needs. 

• Digital Audio format, including .wav, .dss, .MP3, .WMA .VOX, and more.

• Digital Video format, including Windows Media Streaming Video (WMV), Apple Quicktime (MOV), Windows AVI, RealPlayer video and audio formats, Windows ASF (Audio Streaming Format), DivXTM Video Formats, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4, Macromedia FlashTM, MP3, WAV, MIDI, Windows Media Audio (WMA), Sony Digital Recorder (DVF), MSV and more.

• Standard or micro-cassette format (please make a backup copy before sending).

When emailing very large audio or video files, please visit our home page and use the "Send this File" box at the bottom of the screen.

Please note, one hour of dictation may take anywhere from 4-6+ hours to transcribe, depending on the quality of the audio, the number of voices on the tape, etc.

When recording on micro-cassettes, please avoid recording at half-speed.  When recording at half-speed, a one-hour tape will actually hold two hours of dictation, but the quality will be compromised, making the transcription process more lengthy and difficult.

Listed below are a few tips which will help ensure the accuracy of the final product.
 

Tips:

• Use tapes designed for voice dictation only and be sure the tape is completely erased before use.

• When using micro-cassette tapes, avoid recording at half-speed.  
  Reduce background noise such as traffic, music, etc., before dictating.

• Use a quality microphone. If there are several speakers, have each speaker wear a microphone on his or her lapel.

• If there are several speakers, remind each person that their discussion is being recorded and only one person may speak at a time.

• Speak loudly and clearly and not too quickly or too slowly. Practice to find the optimal distance from the microphone as well as speaking volume.

• Identify yourself and any other speakers on the tape.

• Dictate any punctuation or style preferences.

• Spell any words or proper names which may be unfamiliar to the transcriptionist.

• Inform transcriptionist if dictation continues onto side b of the tape.

• Say "End of Tape" when  finished dictating.

• Please rewind tapes before sending.

The Fine Print: Carol Allen Document Design is not responsible for tapes which are lost during shipping or damaged during the transcription process. Please make backup copies of all tapes before sending.