Recording Tips by Wordsworth Transcription Services

When recording an interview, meeting, lecture or other event with the intention of having it transcribed later, you can help make the transcription process as efficient and accurate as possible. While it's not always possible to follow all of these tips, taking them into account can help ensure better transcription by improving sound quality and minimizing incidental noise.

The better the recording, the more accurate and cost-effective the transcription will be.

As much as possible, try to follow these guidelines for best results:

General Recording Tips for Transcription

Recording Tips for Multiple Speakers

Equipment Suggestions for Audio Recording

We don't have the resources necessary to test and recommend the best from the many types of equipment available. We have been using Panasonic transcription machines with good success for almost the entire time we have been in business. While there are certainly improvements we would like to see, we are happy with them. Some of our customers have told us that they are happy with the following equipment. (Radio Shack model numbers are in parentheses.)

Optimus full auto-stop voice activated cassette recorder (#CTR-117, 14-1123)
Optimus omnidirectional tie clip microphone (#33-3013)
Radio Shack ultra-miniature tie clip microphone (#33-3003)
Radio Shack scanner dual headphone adapter, 1/8" mono plug to two 1/8" mono jacks, connector (#42-2437)
Radio Shack polarized 9ft extension cord, 1625W, 13A, (#61-2746C)
Radio Shack 9-Range Battery Tester (#22-090)
1.5V watch & calculator batteries (#23-105)

Another client pointed out to us a Guide to Recording Digital Data that goes into some detail about using MP3 and digital recordings when doing interviews. There is a great deal of information about why and how to use digital recorders, as well as equipment suggestions and detailed instructions. We can tell you that this client had by far the clearest and most easily transcribed recordings of any of the scores of transcription projects we have worked on.

The document is in PDF format, so to read it, you will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader or some other software that can read PDF files. It is 15 pages long, but is well laid out, so you can pick and choose the information that you read.

About Wordsworth Typing and Transcription Services

We are a cooperative business, a subsidiary of Meadowdance Community Group. We have been working together doing typing, transcription and data entry work for over five years.