How to Transcribe Audio to Text: What is Transcription?
June 8, 2025


If you're asking that question, this article will explain how to transcribe audio to text.
Transcription is the process of converting audio or video content into text data that can be used in applications like Notepad or Word.
By transcribing audio, you can conveniently create meeting minutes, interview articles, add subtitles to videos, or summarize content, making it incredibly useful.
Previously, transcribing audio meant spending a lot of time typing it out on a keyboard. However, with the latest AI speech recognition technology, anyone can now easily transcribe audio in a short amount of time.
This article will explain how to transcribe audio, how to utilize transcribed files, and recommend services!
Why not use this article as a guide to leverage convenient audio transcription services for your work or studies?
How to Transcribe Audio?
So, how exactly do you transcribe audio?
First, let's briefly explain what "transcription" means in the context of converting audio to text.
What is Transcription?
"Transcription" is the process of converting audio into written text.
By performing transcription, you can transform the content of audio or video files into a text format that is easy to handle on a computer.
For audio content like meetings, lectures, interviews, or YouTube explanation videos, you typically have to play them back every time to check the content.
In contrast, with written text, you can quickly grasp the content by simply scanning the relevant sections, which is incredibly convenient.
Transcribing audio into text allows for a wider range of uses, such as editing, checking content, summarizing, and archiving.
Methods for Audio Transcription
So, what transcription methods should you use to convert audio to text?
There are three main methods:
- Using an AI transcription service
- Typing it out yourself on a keyboard
- Hiring a professional transcriber
Among these, using an "AI transcription service" is highly recommended.
Let's look at the specific features of each method.
1. Using an AI Transcription Service
The most recommended method for transcribing audio is to use an AI transcription service.
An AI transcription service is a service that automatically converts audio or video files into text using the latest speech recognition AI.
It's much faster than other methods, as even long audio files can be transcribed in about 10 minutes.
Since files are automatically converted just by uploading them, there's no effort involved, unlike other audio transcription methods.
Furthermore, with the dramatic improvement in AI performance in recent years, transcription can be done with very high accuracy and without conversion errors.
For transcribing audio, an AI transcription service is recommended in terms of speed, effort, and accuracy.
There are also free services like 'Mojiokoshi-san' (Mr. Transcription), so why not try an AI transcription service first?
2. Typing it out yourself on a keyboard
Before the advent of AI transcription services, a common method was to type it out yourself on a keyboard.
The method is very simple: you just listen to the recorded audio and type it into an editor like Notepad or Word.
While it's free if you do it yourself, it takes a significant amount of time.
When typing out audio to transcribe it, it's normal for the work to take much longer than the length of the recorded file.
This is because you need to rewind and re-listen to missed parts, or pause when you can't keep up with typing.
As a guideline, a 1-hour audio file will take at least 3-4 hours, even if you work smoothly.
Shorter audio files can be completed in less time, but AI transcription services are available for free for short audio (e.g., 'Mojiokoshi-san' can be used for free for up to 1 minute without registration/login). Therefore, even for short audio transcription, using an AI transcription service is recommended.
3. Hiring a professional transcriber
Before the advent of AI transcription services, alongside typing it out yourself, another common method was to hire a professional transcriber.
Even today, there are several companies offering audio transcription services, and it's possible to commission a professional transcriber.
You can also hire freelance transcribers through platforms like Crowdsourcing sites.
However, there are some drawbacks.
First, the cost is very high.
While AI transcription services can be used for free or for a few thousand yen per month, hiring a professional transcriber will cost at least 10,000 yen or more.
Furthermore, the delivery time is longer, taking at least 3-4 days for a 1-hour audio file.
Some companies offer same-day or next-day express services, but in such cases, the cost can jump to tens of thousands of yen.
In contrast, using an AI transcription service can complete transcription in just 10 minutes.
And the cost is significantly lower.
Previously, audio containing specialized terminology, such as in medical or technical fields, required hiring a transcriber. However, with advancements in AI technology, it is now possible to transcribe even specialized audio using AI transcription services.
If you're looking to transcribe audio, using an AI transcription service is highly recommended.
Transcribe Audio with 'Mojiokoshi-san'
For audio transcription, using an AI transcription service is highly recommended!
So, which specific service should you use?
We recommend 'Mojiokoshi-san'.
'Mojiokoshi-san' is a Japanese AI transcription service that uses the latest AI technology.
Not only does it offer the short processing time and high accuracy characteristic of AI transcription services, but as a Japanese service, you can also feel secure about its security.
Furthermore, 'Mojiokoshi-san' allows you to switch between two types of the latest AI, depending on their respective strengths.
Each has its features:
- PerfectVoice: Ultra-fast transcription of long audio in 10 minutes, supports 100 languages.
- AmiVoice: Speaker diarization (transcribes per speaker), fast transcription in about the same time as the audio file length.
These features make it easy to transcribe content that was previously very difficult before AI, such as foreign language transcription or transcribing per speaker.
What's more, 'Mojiokoshi-san' allows you to transcribe up to 1 minute of audio for free, without registration or login!
Why not experience the performance of 'Mojiokoshi-san' AI transcription for free first?
How to Utilize Transcriptions
Transcription is useful in various situations.
What are some common scenarios where it's used?
1. Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes are one of the most common uses for audio transcription.
By converting what was said in a meeting into text, you can store it as data on your computer or print it out as a physical document for record-keeping.
The latest AI transcription services also include features that make creating meeting minutes easier, such as "speaker diarization", which transcribes audio by individual speaker.
Examples of Transcription Services with Speaker Diarization
If you want to use the speaker diarization feature when transcribing audio for meeting minutes, 'Mojiokoshi-san' is highly recommended.
With 'Mojiokoshi-san', by using the "AmiVoice" speech recognition AI, you can transcribe audio by individual speaker.
Why not try creating convenient meeting minutes with 'Mojiokoshi-san's speaker diarization feature?
This article explains how to use the speaker diarization feature in 'Mojiokoshi-san'.
2. Lectures and Presentations
Audio transcription is also frequently used for lectures and presentations at companies, schools, or organizations.
By transcribing the content of a lecture, you can create a written record of the presentation for online publication or printed materials.
Since specialized lecture content and academic presentations often involve technical terms, using an AI transcription service is recommended for smooth and highly accurate transcription.
3. Interviews
Transcribing recorded interviews is another common use for audio-to-text conversion.
It's impossible to take notes on everything during an interview.
Therefore, a common practice when documenting interviews is to record them on a smartphone or IC recorder and then transcribe them later.
For interview transcription, it's recommended to utilize the speaker diarization feature, similar to meeting minutes.
By transcribing the audio separately for the interviewer and the interviewee, you can summarize the content more smoothly.
4. YouTube and Other Videos
Recently, there's been a growing trend of people transcribing video files uploaded to sites like YouTube.
By transcribing audio, you can add subtitles to videos.
Adding subtitles to videos not only makes them easier to watch but also allows foreign viewers to watch them using automatic translation features, thereby increasing viewership.
Additionally, by transcribing audio, video creators can also publish the content in written form on their blogs.
This article explains in detail how to transcribe YouTube video audio and add subtitles.
AI Transcription Services are Recommended for Audio Transcription!
Transcribing audio allows you to handle recorded content more conveniently.
Among the methods for transcribing audio, using an AI transcription service is highly recommended.
With the continuous advancement of AI speech recognition technology in recent years, you can complete transcriptions with very high accuracy and in a short amount of time.
Using an AI transcription service like 'Mojiokoshi-san' makes it possible to transcribe audio in just 10 minutes!
If you're looking for a way to transcribe audio, why not try a free AI transcription service first?
■ AI transcription service "Mr. Transscription"
"Mr. Transcription" is an online transcription tool that can be used from zero initial cost and 1,000 yen per month (* free version available).
- Supports more than 20 file formats such as audio, video, and images
- Can be used from both PC and smartphone
- Supports technical terms such as medical care, IT, and long-term care
- Supports creation of subtitle files and speaker separation
- Supports transcription in approximately 100 languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Italian, etc.
To use it, just upload the audio file from the site. Transcription text is available in seconds to tens of minutes.
You can use it for free if you transcribe it for up to 10 minutes, so please try it once.
Email: mojiokoshi3.com@gmail.com
Transcription for audio / video / image transcription. It is a transcription service that anyone can use for free without installation.
- What is Mr. Transcription?
- Transcript images, sounds, and videos with Mr. Transcription
- Free registration
- Rate plan
- manual