How to Transcribe Audio to Text | Rev (2024)

We encourage you to try transcribing audio to text or video to text and see how it improves your workflow, no matter if you’re a journalist, researcher, interviewer, educator, in the entertainment industry, or just need to take meeting notes. So, if you’re interested in transcribing an audio file or online audio-to-text, here’s everything you need to know.

How to Transcribe Audio to Text

If you’d rather not transcribe audio yourself, just send your audio file or URL to Rev. We’ll take care of it for you, with a 99% accuracy guarantee.

Here are the basic steps for using the Rev transcription service:

1. Upload Your Audio File

How to Transcribe Audio to Text | Rev (1)

Paste the URL of your audio media file, or upload the recorded audio file itself to our safe and secure network. You can upload voice recordings, recorded phone calls, podcasts, or anything that can be recorded in a digital file format and played with a media player.

Rev also transcribes video, so try converting video to text via a video file or URL (like a YouTube video).

You can choose Rev’s human audio transcription services ($1.50 per minute, extremely accurate) or the AI-powered auto audio transcription services (25 cents per minute, but less accurate). Rev’s automatic transcription software provides a quick and affordable way to transcribe audio.

Rev’s transcription service has a very quick turnaround time – for example, a 30-minute file is usually completed within 24 with our premium service. Our automatic transcription service can process a 30-minute file in about 5 minutes. Shorter files have quicker turnaround times with both transcript options.

2. Choose Custom Transcription Options

How to Transcribe Audio to Text | Rev (2)

  • Rush My Order – Get your transcript back 5 times faster
  • Timestamping – Sync your audio with timestamps on every paragraph. This allows you to jump to specific parts of the audio transcript.
  • Verbatim – Catch every word. Ums, ahs, and mm-hmms.
  • Instant First Draft – AI-generated transcript delivered in minutes

3. Receive & Download Your Text File

We’ll handle all the transcribing, editing, and file formats. You’ll be notified in an email when your file is ready and you can download it instantly.

You can also use the free Rev Transcript Editor for finalizing and perfecting your transcript.

How to Transcribe Audio Files to Text Yourself

Before we give you the step-by-step guide, we want to mention that patience is also a huge part of transcribing audio to text. If the process is slow at first, don’t worry. You’ll get better with practice.

1. Set Up

The process of transcribing audio or speech to text is not complicated, but you can make it much less efficient if you aren’t set up for success. First, give yourself easy access to both your word processor and your audio file. You’ll be rewinding frequently, and you don’t want to add minutes to your process by constantly switching tabs and losing your place.

2. Find Your Shorthand

Some things, like the speakers’ names, will recur constantly while you’re transcribing the audio file. Make a quick reference of shorthand for these things you know you’re going to type over and over. If you’re the only person who will use the transcription, you’ll know what the shorthand means. If you plan to share the file with more people, you can either provide them the list or do a quick find and replace with the real word when you’re done.

3. Write What You Hear

This is the easiest part. Listen to your audio file and type what you hear.

4. Edit Your Text File

Once you’re done with your transcription, take one last listen through your audio file to fix any errors you might have missed. Be careful to check for any titles, references, or context you might have missed, especially if you focused on simply typing what was said, word for word.

5. Export the Correct File

The file extension you use to save your text file is important. People who want to keep the text for themselves to edit or share later can simply save it as a .doc file. However, if you plan to use audio-to-text transcription for video subtitles or any other multimedia format, make sure you confirm what kind of file you need.

Businesses & Corporations: Transcribe Audio to Text with the Rev AI API

If you’re a large business or corporation, the best way to transcribe audio to text is by requesting API access and integrating Rev’s industry-leading speech recognition engine into apps or work environments you already have.

1. Sign Up & Create a Rev AI Account

Click here to get started.

2. Get Your API User and Client Keys

You will get an API user and client key and once you do, you’re all set to get started.

3. Try Rev AI Free for Your First 5 Hours of Audio & Video

You can transcribe or caption 5 hours of audio and video for free. To continue, just purchase more API credits on your account page.

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How to Transcribe Audio to Text | Rev (2024)

FAQs

How to Transcribe Audio to Text | Rev? ›

When it comes to individual transcribers, the average time to transcribe one hour of audio is approximately four hours. But, some transcribers quote four hours as the minimum since it can easily reach 10 hours. Transcription time by audio hour varies so much mostly because each audio file is different.

How do you transcribe audio to text efficiently? ›

Let's have a look at these tips to get a faster transcription.
  1. Make use of an Autocorrect Tool.
  2. Practice Typing to perfection.
  3. Making use of High-Quality and noise cancellation headset.
  4. A comfortable and quiet environment.
  5. Type Smartly.
  6. Get your hands on a good transcribing software.
  7. Take Breaks.

Is there a way to automatically transcribe audio to text? ›

How to Transcribe Audio to Text:
  1. Upload an audio or video file. Click on 'Transcribe Audio' and select an audio file from your folders. ...
  2. Transcribe audio and edit with animations. From the left menu, click on 'Subtitles' then select 'Auto Transcribe'. ...
  3. Download the transcription.

How do you pass a transcription test? ›

The 8 Simple Hacks to Pass Transcription Tests Online
  1. Listen Carefully. ...
  2. Understand Proper Punctuation. ...
  3. Brush Up on Grammar and Spelling. ...
  4. Learn Transcription Formatting. ...
  5. Use Critical Thinking. ...
  6. Invest in Transcription Tools. ...
  7. Free Resources and Practice Files to Polish Your Transcription Skills.
May 22, 2019

How long does it take to transcribe 1 hour? ›

When it comes to individual transcribers, the average time to transcribe one hour of audio is approximately four hours. But, some transcribers quote four hours as the minimum since it can easily reach 10 hours. Transcription time by audio hour varies so much mostly because each audio file is different.

How long does it take to transcribe 30 minutes of audio? ›

Various factors affect how long it takes. As a very broad rule of thumb, many transcribers say it takes four hours for every one hour of audio. Obviously, if you're wondering how long to transcribe 30 minutes of audio file, around two hours.

Is there an app that transcribes recorded audio to text? ›

TranscribeMe offers an app that provides both human and ASR transcriptions. Similarly to Rev, TranscribeMe allows you to record high-quality audio within the app. The recording can then be transcribed into an unedited first draft of text, which comes at a baseline price of $0.79 USD (around 60p) per minute.

Is there a free program that will transcribe audio to text? ›

Otter is a great online transcribing tool that enables you to take voice meeting notes and real-time transcriptions. This software uses artificial intelligence to transcribe sharable, searchable notes, and content. This tool will also provide you with accurate transcripts of different audio formats (e.g., WAV).

What app can transcribe audio to text? ›

Transkriptor is speech to text app that transcribes meeting, class, audio, and voice to text! Use automatic transcription app to take meeting note and dictate interview. It supports all file formats so, you can convert audio and video to text easily! The speech to text app offers 90 minutes of free transcription.

What is the basic rule in transcribing? ›

Transcripts should be at least 99% accurate. Grammar and punctuation are important for providing maximum clarity. Speaker identification helps users identify who is speaking. Essential to communicate non-speech sounds.

How many mistakes are allowed in transcribing? ›

With the exception of measurements, numbers one to nine should be transcribed in letters. There should be no more than 2 mistakes for every 10 comprehensible words spoken.

How do I train myself to be a transcriptionist? ›

How to become a transcriptionist
  1. Choose your specialist field. You can choose to work in general transcription or have a specialised area. ...
  2. Attend a training course. If you choose to specialise in transcription, you may require formal training. ...
  3. Gain experience. ...
  4. Build an online network. ...
  5. Apply for jobs.
Jun 3, 2023

How fast should you type to be a transcriptionist? ›

While most transcriptionists can type at around 50 words per minute (WPM), make it your goal to type at least 60 WPM. By improving your typing speed, you can get more work done in less time, which seriously increases your earning potential!

How hard is it to transcribe audio? ›

Transcription work sounds easy since it only involves listening to audio files and typing. In reality, however, transcription is quite complicated. It takes commitment and full involvement in the job to ensure that you produce excellent work.

What is the hourly rate for a beginner transcriptionist? ›

A transcriptionist's salary is generally around $19.02, while an advanced transcriptionist earns around $25 to $30 per hour. With this rate, you can easily earn an average of $1141.2 every month if you work 2.5 hours per day for 24 days. According to PayScale, the median transcriptionist's salary is $16.59 per hour.

How much money can you make as a transcriber? ›

How Much Do Transcriptionist Jobs Pay per Hour?
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$45,500$22
75th Percentile$38,000$18
Average$33,773$16
25th Percentile$28,000$13

What are the four major skills needed for transcription? ›

In order to transcribe audio or a conversation accurately, you need these skills:
  • Active listening. Active listening is the ability to focus on a speaker and hear everything they say. ...
  • Typing skills. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Computer skills. ...
  • Research.
Mar 10, 2023

What is the rate to transcribe audio to text? ›

Average transcription rates are around $25 to $40, with the highest cost for transcribing interviews (which are priced at $50 per hour on average). So, what are some typical transcription costs? The standard transcription cost per hour of audio in the U.S. and Canada is around $90, or $1.5 per audio minute.

Is there a free transcription app? ›

Otter brings artificial intelligence to the human voice. It's an automatic transcription app: Whether you're recording a voice note, a lecture, a business meeting, or a video conference, the app listens to what's being said and automatically turns it into onscreen, searchable text.

Can I transcribe using my phone? ›

This new Android Accessibility service is available to download as an app on the Google Play store. After installing the app, turn on Live Transcribe in your phone's Accessibility settings and tap on the app to use it.

How can I convert voice to text for free? ›

SpeechNotes is a speech-to-text converter online that you can use for free. It is a powerful, user-friendly, and highly efficient text-to-speech and speech-to-text converter you can access from your web browser.

What are the do's and don'ts of transcription? ›

Do – make sure you transcribe everything verbatim, including any 'you know', 'like' and so on. Remember, false starts can be a vital clue in a legal case. Don't – correct grammar mistakes and slang, or leave out hesitations, pauses or anything else. Exactly what was said, as well as how it was said, is important.

What are the three rules of transcription? ›

Transcription of a gene takes place in three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination.

What are the 4 steps of transcription simple? ›

The major steps of transcription are initiation, promoter clearance, elongation, and termination.

Why is transcribing so hard? ›

Transcription is one of the most demanding and labor-intensive among all translation services. It requires high-skills from the transcriptionist, from listening to the audio or video file, researching the subject matter, understanding the context of the recording and typing the audio into readable text.

Should you correct grammar when transcribing? ›

Never paraphrase or reconstruct the speech in the audio you are transcribing. Do not correct grammatical errors made by the speakers. Always use the correct spelling for misspoken words.

Does transcribing get easier? ›

Eventually, the more tunes that you learn by ear and the more solos that you transcribe, the easier it will get because your ears improve each time. The key is to get over that initial barrier and learn that first tune by ear.

Can you make a living transcribing at home? ›

Transcription jobs are lucrative ways to make extra money, especially if you speak and write in more than one language. Here are the best work-from-home transcription jobs. Transcriptionists are in high demand.

Can you be a transcriptionist with no experience? ›

While you can be hired for a transcription job without any formal training or experience, certain higher-paying positions, such as medical or legal transcription, require certification. Transcriptionist work in the medical field requires a one-year certification program or an associate degree in medical transcription.

How do you start transcription for beginners? ›

Practice transcribing short audio files with Express Scribe so you're ready to apply to transcription companies. Create a transcription-specific cover letter and resume - even if you don't have prior transcription experience. Find the best companies to work for that hire beginners - plus, learn how to spot a scam.

What is the most efficient way to transcribe speech? ›

First, manual transcription is more accurate than automatic transcription. This is because human transcribers can catch any errors that the speech recognition software may miss. In addition, manual transcription is more reliable if the audio quality is poor or if there is a lot of background noise.

How long does it take to transcribe 60 minutes of audio? ›

A 60-minute high-quality audio file could possibly be transcribed in three hours or even two! This works out to about one hour needed to transcribe 20-30 minutes for an hour of audio by a transcriber.

How long does it take to transcribe 20 mins of audio? ›

That means you should expect any audio that is less than 15 minutes to be transcribed within an hour. Some experienced transcriptionists can transcribe files much faster. It's not unheard for experienced transcriptionists to transcribe 20 to 30 minutes of audio in one hour.

How can I improve my transcription skills? ›

Tips to Improve Transcription Skills
  1. Focus On Speed Typing Skills: Transcription could not be done properly if your typing skills are not good. ...
  2. Communication. ...
  3. Listen To The Entire Audio & then Transcribe. ...
  4. Work on your Proofreading Skills. ...
  5. Focus on Editing Skills. ...
  6. Understand The Terminologies.
Apr 16, 2022

Is there an app that transcribes audio recordings? ›

TranscribeMe offers an app that provides both human and ASR transcriptions. Similarly to Rev, TranscribeMe allows you to record high-quality audio within the app. The recording can then be transcribed into an unedited first draft of text, which comes at a baseline price of $0.79 USD (around 60p) per minute.

How long does it take to transcribe 1000 words? ›

How long does it take to transcribe 1,000 words or more? An average typist can transcribe 1,000 words in about 25 minutes. However, a professional typist can achieve this same feat in less than 13 minutes with 99% accuracy.

How much does it cost to transcribe 1 hour of audio? ›

A reasonable estimate is around $100 - $150 per audio hour to get a high-quality and accurate transcript. These transcription rates can be a significant cost for many companies who need to transcribe large volumes of videos.

How fast should a transcriber be able to type? ›

While most transcriptionists can type at around 50 words per minute (WPM), make it your goal to type at least 60 WPM. By improving your typing speed, you can get more work done in less time, which seriously increases your earning potential!

How much do freelance transcriptionists charge per audio hour? ›

Standard rates for professional transcriptionists (especially those professionals from North America) range from $1.5 to $3 per audio minute or $90 to $180 per audio hour. If your project has extra requirements, such as a quick turnaround time, you may be forced to pay more to have the job done.

How much do transcribers make per audio minute? ›

Transcription rates per audio minute vary. The pay that someone would receive for transcribing one minute of audio can range anywhere from $0.50 - $3. The best way to figure out what rate you should pay is by looking at the type of transcription you will need.

What are the biggest challenges of being a transcriber? ›

Challenges Faced by the General Transcriptionists Today
  • Job Security. ...
  • Consistently Meeting Deadlines. ...
  • Keeping Up With the Latest Technology. ...
  • Maintaining Credibility. ...
  • Long and Boring Files. ...
  • Short Deadlines. ...
  • Difficult Clients. ...
  • Different Formatting Requirements.
Jan 20, 2019

Can you make a living as a transcriptionist? ›

Transcription is a well-paying career with many opportunities. A transcriptionist's salary is generally around $19.02, while an advanced transcriptionist earns around $25 to $30 per hour. With this rate, you can easily earn an average of $1141.2 every month if you work 2.5 hours per day for 24 days.

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