Summary of how to transcribe on Windows [11 recommended software and apps]

With computers having evolved so much, it would be great if we could create minutes automatically...

Voice input using smartphones has become easier, and the number of opportunities to record and film conferences and web meetings is increasing day by day.

You may often be given audio or video data by your boss and asked to "compile minutes of the meeting," but transcribing it manually takes more time and effort than you might think.

You're so busy with your daily work that you probably don't have time for that.

So this time, we've compiled various methods and recommended tools for efficiently transcribing using the Windows computer you normally use .

• I'm looking for a transcription software or app that can be used on Windows.
• Want to automate the creation of meeting minutes
• I want to transcribe not only my voice but also the voices of the other parties in a web meeting.
• I want to use voice input to write sentences.
• I would also like to know how to get the most accurate transcription possible for free.

This content will be useful for the following people.

After reading this article, you will be able to focus on the important work instead of wasting time on mundane tasks .

Would you like to easily transcribe audio files such as mp3, wav, and wma?

Please be sure to watch until the end.

10 Best Transcription Apps for Windows

Transcription can be a very time-consuming process if you do it by hand, character by character, using a memo app or Word.

Using a transcription app or software that can be used on Windows makes it much easier to produce high-quality transcriptions.

We'll introduce you to some specific apps and software!

1. Mr. Transcription

"Mr. Transcription" is an all-purpose AI transcription service.

This is a transcription service that can be used from a browser, and its versatility means it can handle all your transcription needs , and it can also be used for free.

It supports not only audio and video, but also transcription from images and PDF files.

It supports a wide range of formats, including audio files such as mp3, wav, wma, and m4a, and video files such as mp4 and mov, so you can easily transcribe your files by simply uploading them as is.

In addition, Mr. Transcription can use two types of transcription AI engines ,

• Perfect Voice: No transcription time limit, supports 100 languages
• AmiVoice: Speaker separation function (transcription for each speaker)

It has the following characteristics:

The great thing about it is that it supports so many languages, and the speaker separation function makes it ideal for transcribing meeting minutes.

Of course, since it is a transcription service that uses the latest AI, it is extremely accurate and fast !

If you are looking for a transcription service or app to use on a Windows computer, we recommend starting with Mr. Transcription.

To use it, just open the top page.

No registration is required and you can use it for free for up to one minute, so why not try out the power of AI transcription first?

2. User local audio minutes system

The UserLocal Audio Transcription System is a transcription service that can be used from your browser.

As the name suggests, this is an ideal service for taking minutes. Simply share the URL and it will compile minutes for each speaker with timestamps.

Participants' comments are automatically transcribed, and you can also edit what you say.

It also has some unique features, such as analyzing each user's comment into "positive/negative" and "five emotions (joy, love, sadness, fear, anger)," and extracting specific words.

This is a recommended service for those looking for a transcription service for meeting minutes .

User local audio minutes system

3. Google Docs

For those who use it regularly, the easiest option is Google Docs .

The basic function is a voice input function that transcribes what you say into the microphone .

Like this, you can click on the microphone to start transcribing.

It is also possible to transcribe audio files by using it in a creative way.

When converting an audio file into text, you'll need to enable a function called "Stereo Mixer" so that Google Docs can recognize the audio being played in your playback software.

Settings: Sound → Recording → Right-click on "Stereo Mix" → Set as default device: ON

By making this setting, Google Docs open in the browser will be able to recognize the audio from the playback software.

All you have to do is play an audio file such as mp3, wav, or wma in this state and the audio file will be transcribed.

In terms of ease of use, AI services dedicated to transcription such as Mr. Transcription are more convenient, but this is a handy method for those who regularly use Google Docs.

Google Docs

4.Okoshiyasu2

Okoshiyasu2 is a transcription player (audio playback software) for Windows.

This is a long-standing standard Windows app for transcribing audio using the keyboard while listening to it , and it allows you to perform operations such as play, pause, rewind, and fast forward without taking your hands off the keyboard.

This is an old transcription player that was last updated in 2009, so the audio files it supports are limited to wav, mp3, wma, and ogg.

One weakness of this app is that audio recorded on a smartphone may need to be converted beforehand, but its strength is that the operation is very simple , so you can start using it right away without getting confused.

Okoshiyasu2

5. Express Scribe

Express Scribe is also a transcription player (audio playback software) that can be used on Windows PCs.

There are free and paid plans available.

Not only can you smoothly play, pause, rewind, and fast forward just like the Okoshiyasu2 introduced above, but it also supports operation with a foot pedal (a pedal operated with the foot) for professional use.

Using a foot pedal will free up both hands, allowing you to transcribe more smoothly on the keyboard.

It takes some skill to use it well, but it's a useful playback software to have when transcribing manually using a keyboard.

Express Scribe

6. Voice Rep Pro 3

Voice Rep Pro 3 is a transcription app that you can install and use on your Windows PC.

This service comes with an automatic transcription service that uses voice recognition via the Internet, as well as a transcription editor and playback software, allowing for smooth transcription.

The voice recognition uses Google's engine .

Recognized audio file formats are mp3, wav, wma.

The transcription editor also comes with proofreading tools, making it perfect for combining automatic transcription with keyboard transcription .

Each purchase is licensed for use on one computer only.

Voice Rep Pro 3

7. Voice Rep Meeting Pro

Voice Rep Meeting Pro is a transcription tool specialized for creating meeting minutes, provided by the same developer as Voice Rep Pro 3.

Up to 30 people can connect at the same time and transcribe meeting content in real time.

In addition to the "Conference Mode," there is also a "Personal Mode," so like Voice Rep Pro 3, it can be used for regular transcription in addition to taking minutes.

Voice Rep Meeting Pro

8.Voice Code

Voice Code is a transcription tool provided by Sourcenext.

This is an app that you install on your Windows PC and automatically transcribes audio you record into a microphone.

This is a tool that basically assumes that you speak into a microphone in real time , so in order to transcribe the recorded audio, you need to be creative and listen to the audio being played back while speaking again.

Like Voice Rep Pro 3, it uses Google's speech recognition engine for automatic transcription.

This is a tool that specializes in transcribing Japanese, and also has a function that automatically inserts punctuation throughout the text after the transcription is complete.

Voice Code

9. Instant Text

Instant Text is an app for transcribing text contained in images.

By using optical character recognition (OCR) to convert the characters written in the image into text, you can copy them as a text file.

You can select a range and transcribe only that part , which prevents separate sentences lined up side by side from getting mixed up when transcribing a flyer or poster.

Although its uses are limited, it's a very useful option if you just want to transcribe images.

Instant Text

10. Dragon Speech 11

Dragon Speech 11 is an installable transcription app.

All of the apps introduced so far require an internet connection to use the transcription engine, but this one can be used completely offline.

It is an older generation app and its performance is inferior compared to the latest AI transcription services, but it previously held the No. 1 global market share, so it still has high performance among apps of its time.

Official sales have already ended, but it is still available in some stores, so if you need an app that can transcribe completely offline, we recommend you try to find it in stock.

Dragon Speech 11

11. AmiVoice SP2

AmiVoice SP2 was once a standard installable transcription app.

This can also be used completely offline.

This product is also no longer officially on sale, but it seems to still be on sale in some stores.

If you want software that can be used completely offline, try looking for a store that sells it.

Amivoice SP2

If you want to use the latest AmiVoice, we recommend "Mr. Transcription"

The voice recognition engine called "AmiVoice" is not a standalone app, but is still being developed as an API (an engine that can be loaded and used by other apps).

What's more, the latest AI AmiVoice engine has top-class performance among AI transcriptionists.

The AI transcription version of AmiVoice can be used on the transcription web service "Transcription-san" , so if you're interested, why not give Transcription-san a try?

5 ways to transcribe on Windows (with recommended apps)

So far, we have explained the following methods to transcribe efficiently on a Windows computer.

• Use an automatic transcription tool that works in your browser
• Use the standard Windows voice input function
• Manually transcribe using a dedicated player (audio playback software)
• Use an installed automatic transcription software (online)
• Use an offline installed transcription software

Each method is useful in slightly different situations.

I'll explain the specific features in more detail.

Use an automatic transcription tool that works in your browser

This is currently the most recommended method!

Transcription using AI has been gaining popularity recently, with a variety of tools being released.

All you need is a browser and an internet connection, so you can use it from multiple computers or while on the go.

What was introduced in this article

• Transcription Mr.
• User local audio minutes system
• Google Docs

is a tool used in the browser.

The biggest feature of this browser-based transcription tool is its high performance, which is unique to AI.

For example, Mr. Transcription has two of the latest AI transcription engines available, and many of the automatic transcription tools used in browsers use AI for transcription.

Transcription is an area where AI excels and the technology is rapidly improving, so it is much faster and more accurate than other methods.

It's easy to use, just upload audio files such as mp3, wav, wma, etc.!

If you are unsure about how to transcribe, we recommend using a service that uses AI.

Manually transcribe using a dedicated player (audio playback software)

If you are going to be typing by hand , we recommend using dedicated audio playback software rather than a standard media player to transcribe while listening to the audio .

In this article, we introduce

• Okoshiyasu2
• Express Scribe

is a player (playback software) dedicated to transcription.

The "Tape Transcription Player" previously provided by Asuka 21 Co., Ltd. was also a standard playback software, but unfortunately it is no longer available for download.

Using a player dedicated to transcription allows you to easily control audio using shortcut keys, and also offers convenient functions such as noise removal, making your work much more efficient.

Even now that AI has emerged, audio playback software for transcription may still be useful for final checking and polishing of AI-transcribed files.

Use an installed automatic transcription software (online)

Another transcription method that can be used on Windows is to use automatic transcription software that you install on your computer .

The four types introduced in this article are:

• Voice Rep Pro 3
• Voice Rep Meeting Pro
• Voice Code
• Instant Text

Although these are installed services, the voice recognition itself is performed in the cloud (online), so please note that they cannot be used in places without an internet connection.

Use an offline installed transcription software

There is also offline automatic transcription software that can be installed on a computer.

In the past, the following two software were considered the "two giants" when it came to speech recognition (automatic transcription) software.

• AmiVoice SP2
• Dragon Speech 11

Unfortunately, both of these programs are no longer officially available for sale, but they are the only decent programs (apart from the standard Windows functions) that can be used completely offline.

It seems that it is still on sale in some shops, so if you're interested, be sure to get it quickly while stocks last.

The advantage of completely offline automatic transcription software is that it can be used even if you don't have an internet connection or your connection speed is slow.

The disadvantage is that the speech recognition engine's training data is limited to what is installed on the computer, so performance is limited.

And the transcription speed depends on the specifications of your computer.

This is an option when you absolutely need to transcribe in an offline environment.

How to transcribe meeting minutes on Windows?

One of the main uses for transcription is for recording meeting minutes .

Many of the PCs used in companies are Windows, so by using the transcription tools introduced in this article, you can greatly improve the efficiency and speed of transcription work.

So how exactly do you transcribe?

Here, we will explain the process of transcribing meeting minutes using "Mr. Transcription" as an example!

1. Record the meeting

When holding a meeting, prepare an IC recorder or smartphone to record the contents .

Adjust the microphone so that everyone in the meeting can be heard.

We also recommend using an external omnidirectional microphone (a microphone that records sound from all directions) .

2. Transfer data to a Windows PC

Copy the audio data for meeting minutes recorded with an IC recorder or smartphone to your PC.

3. Open the transcription tool

Open the tool you want to use to transcribe the meeting notes.

Here we will open the top page of "Mr. Transcription."

4. Upload your audio file

Upload your transcript audio file by clicking "Select" on the Mr. Transcription homepage or by dragging and dropping the file .

For audio files, all major formats are supported, including mp3, wav, wma, m4a, aifc, flac, aac, aiff, and aifc, so you can simply upload them as is.

5. Start transcribing the minutes

Once the audio file is uploaded, transcription of the meeting will begin automatically.

If the audio file is longer than 10 minutes, you will be notified of completion by email, so you can close the page once processing has begun.

(For files shorter than that, keep the page open.)

6. Transcription of minutes completed

Once the transcription is complete, it will be displayed automatically.

This completes the transcription of the minutes.

As you can see, transcribing meeting minutes using Mr. Transcription is very easy.

Why not try transcribing meeting minutes with "Mr. Transcription"?

How to transcribe using the standard Windows voice input function

The company did not allow us to use AI transcription services or specialized software...

In such cases, you may want to try the standard Windows voice input function .

Windows has a function that converts speech to text in real time, so there is no need to install any additional software or sign up for a service, and it can be used even in environments without an internet connection.

However, the downside is that it is not very accurate.

From here, we will briefly explain the process of transcribing using the standard Windows voice input function.

Here is an example for Windows 10.

1. Set up Windows Speech Recognition

First, select "Windows Speech Recognition" from "Windows Ease of Access" in the Start menu.

You will need to set up Windows Speech Recognition the first time you use it.

When Windows Speech Recognition starts, the setup screen opens.

First, select the microphone you want to use.

It will then read the displayed text out loud to recognise your voice.

By teaching the PC to memorize characteristics such as speaking style and voice quality, it will be possible to achieve more accurate transcription.

You're all set!

2. Launch the app where you want to enter text

Launch an application (software) for inputting text, such as "Notepad" or "Word."

The Windows speech recognition function only recognizes speech.

You use a separate app to actually enter and store the text.

3. Use voice input

Once you have launched the app in which you want to input text, launch Windows Speech Recognition and begin voice input .

For example, if you type "hello" it will be entered like this.

4. Save the file

The Windows speech recognition function itself does not have a saving function, so you will need to save the file in the app you used to input the text .

This completes voice input using the standard Windows functions.

It can be used in a variety of ways depending on your imagination.

The standard Windows voice input function introduced so far can also be used for transcription if used creatively.

for example

Settings: Sound → Recording → Right-click on "Stereo Mix" → Set as default device: ON

By setting this, you can play the audio file and transcribe it.

You can also transcribe audio files by playing them on your smartphone and using voice recognition on your PC .

However, as you can see from the fact that we have already trained your PC to recognize your voice, the standard Windows speech recognition function can only produce the best transcription for one person's voice .

Performance is limited in places where many people are speaking at the same time, such as meetings, or with audio recorded from other people.

In addition, compared to AI transcription, which has been rapidly improving in recent years, the standard transcription function in Windows is inevitably inferior in terms of performance.

If you are not satisfied with the standard transcription function, we recommend using an AI transcription service like Mr. Transcription!

3 tips to improve transcription accuracy

Be sure to save the audio file (recording data)

Be sure to save and back up audio files such as mp3, wav, and wma.

Tools that support real-time voice input can transcribe conversations on the spot without leaving a recording, but even when using such tools it's wise to save the audio files separately.

When you later edit the transcribed text, it's much smoother if you can listen to the original audio.

In some cases, the automatic transcription may not work properly and there may be no recorded data, leaving you at a loss.

Nowadays, it's easy to record audio on your smartphone, so to be on the safe side, it's recommended that you keep a safe backup.

Input the audio as clearly as possible

The performance of a transcription tool depends more on the quality of the input audio than on the accuracy of the tool's own speech recognition.

• Choose a location with minimal ambient noise
• Speak as close to the microphone as possible
• Speak slowly and clearly

These are the most basic of the basics.

When recording with a smartphone or computer, it can be effective to use a highly directional external microphone instead of the standard microphone.

If you have the time, it would be a good idea to use a dedicated app (such as Audacity ) to adjust the volume and remove noise from the recorded audio file.

Recommended free audio editing software: Audacity

If you want to edit the audio you've recorded, we recommend the free software Audacity.

Audacity is a popular free audio editing software that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

This is an old software and there is a lot of information on the Internet about how to use it , so if you want to edit audio using free software, we recommend using Audacity .

It's easy to use; just drag and drop audio files such as mp3, wav, wma, etc. to load them, then adjust the volume and remove noise.

You can see at a glance how to use it by selecting with the mouse, cutting, and deleting unnecessary parts.

The Japanese version of Audacity can be downloaded from the Windows software distribution site "Mado no Mori."

If you want to edit audio files such as mp3, wav, or wma, first download Audacity.

"Audacity" free audio editing software - Window Forest

What to do when Audacity for Windows freezes

However, the Windows version of Audacity has a bug that can cause it to freeze when you type on the keyboard .

This is due to a bug that causes incompatibility with the IME (Japanese input method) of the Japanese version of Windows.

There are two ways to work around the Audacity bug:

1. Use an older version of Microsoft IME

From Windows "Settings", open "Time and Language" → "Japanese", and in the options settings select "Use previous version of Microsoft IME" .

This will prevent Audacity from using a version of IME that is incompatible with Audacity, preventing it from freezing.

2. Use an older version of Audacity

You may also be able to avoid the freezes by using an older version of Audacity, such as version 2.4.2 or earlier .

However, be aware that older versions may have security issues.

Older versions of Audacity can be downloaded from this site , which is linked from the official Audacity website .

Try out multiple transcription tools

Each transcription tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, and they also differ in their compatibility with different types of data.

So, if transcription doesn't work, you might want to try a different tool .

As introduced here, there are a huge number of free transcription apps and services available, so install (bookmark) as many as possible in advance to be prepared for emergencies.

summary

This time, we explained how to transcribe on Windows.

Finally, let's review the recommended transcription tools introduced in this article.

• Transcriptionist : Recommended! Supports many files and languages. Easy to use.
• User Local Audio Minute System : A tool specialized for creating minutes
• Google Docs : Real-time voice input is the easiest way
• Okoshiyasu2 : A standard transcription player. *Support has ended.
• Express Scribe : Supports foot pedals, etc. Paid version available
• Voice Rep Pro 3 : Installable automatic transcription app
• Voice Rep Meeting Pro : Installable meeting app. Supports up to 30 simultaneous connections.
• Voice Code : A simple installable app for transcribing Japanese text
• Instant Text : An installable app specializing in image transcription
• Dragon Speech 11 : The app that once had the world's largest market share. *Sales have ended.
• Amivoice SP2 : A former standard transcription app. *No longer available

Since long ago, countless different software programs (both free and paid) have been released for Windows.

Many people probably find it troublesome to search for tools and learn how to use them, so they end up using the memo app or Word that they are familiar with.

Putting off small tasks adds up and can result in a significant amount of wasted time.

You can try out any one of the 11 tools introduced here and experience how convenient they are.

■ 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.

It is "Mr. Transcription" who can easily transcribe from audio, video, and images. Transcription allows you to transcribe for up to 10 minutes for free. You can copy, download, search, delete, etc. the transcribed text. You can also create subtitle files, which is ideal for transcription of interview videos.

HP: mojiokoshi3.com
Email: mojiokoshi3.com@gmail.com