The quality of an audio recording plays a crucial role in determining the transcription quality. That said, clients need to ensure they record their audio in the best and highest-quality formats.
There are two main categories of audio formats accepted for recording transcription services:
Uncompressed (PCM, WAV)
As the name implies, uncompressed audio has not been altered. These files are created from sound waves, which are recorded and instantly transformed into digital files.
Only the caliber of the utilized microphone prevents this from producing the highest-quality audio file. The drawback is that because the files are in an uncompressed format, they use a lot of storage space. Slow upload speeds and cumbersome storage are the results.
Lossy (MP3, WMA, AAC)
Lossy file types are highly well-liked since they have reduced file sizes and are simpler to move between networks and systems. However, it entails the cost of fidelity and audio quality.
However, there are situations when audio might be overly compressed, and one starts to hear artifacts in the audio. Mostly, it’s challenging to differentiate between uncompressed and high-quality lossy recordings.
If you need to improve a recording whose audio quality has been harmed by interference in the background or other elements, you also have minimal data at your disposal.
lossless formats (FLAC, WMA, AL)
These employ a technique that scales back the original audio file size without sacrificing sound quality. The files remain significantly bigger than the lossy ones and typically take a little longer to convert.
However, the file sizes are reduced while maintaining the same level of clarity as uncompressed raw files.
This might appear to be the ideal midway ground. However, lossless audio files are where compatibility problems are most likely to arise.
They are the least popular and well-supported option, which can cause you to restrict your options for transcription companies.
Generally speaking, provided the recording is clear, it won’t matter what audio file type you choose. The quality of your recording matters more than the file format to achieve a decent result from professional transcribing services.
Having learned about the formats, there are some important tips that every person should learn to ensure the quality of recording and transcription.
Cut down on background noise
For your audio transcription recording, use an enclosed and soundproof room. Turn off or remove noisy items, including air conditioners, fans, clocks, creaky furniture, and tube lights. Avoid sitting close to open windows or loudspeakers if you are in a restaurant.
Elements like hardwood flooring or vaulted ceilings can produce noise even in a silent space. Shut your doors and restrict side chats when recording because microphones can readily fetch such interferences.
Put Microphones in the Correct Location
The people expected to talk should be placed at an identical range from the microphone. In this manner, every presenter’s words will be audible through the microphone.
Once you’ve positioned your microphone or recorder properly, keep it there for the duration of the electronic audio recording.
Shifting the recorder around constantly will increase the volume and make your speech difficult to hear.
When recording numerous speakers or transcribing a podcast, opt for external microphones rather than built-in ones because they produce superior sound.
Obtain an efficient digital voice recorder
Purchase a digital voice recorder so you can make audio recordings of the highest quality. Make sure the characteristics of the recording device you choose to fulfill all of your needs. Don’t forget to seek features like a lot of memory, numerous audio file formats, adjustable recording quality settings, and a quick file transfer system to make it easier to transfer files to your PC.
Perform a trial recording
Test your recording equipment, sound quality, and microphone positioning by performing a trial run. Speak briefly with the participants and then assess the recording’s quality. You may gauge their speech volume and overall sound quality from here. Additionally, search for any distracting ambient noises that can be eliminated.
Make brief audio files
Choose to record several small audio files rather than one long one. Your electronic audio recording can be divided into segments so multiple audio transcriptionists can work on it simultaneously.
This will speed up the transcription process and simplify copying and submitting smaller audio files. Audio recording transcription services speed up your work depending on the quality and format of your audio.