How to Transcribe Voice Memos into Text (Free & Live)

Transcribing voice memos is a huge productivity booster, whether you’re a student, journalist, or business professional. Besides enhancing comprehension and enabling quick information retrieval, it also increases accessibility by providing content in text format.

What is the best way for transcribing voice memos?

There are two main methods when it comes to transcribing voice memos: AI-powered transcription and manual transcription. While both can convert audio to text, they differ significantly in terms of speed and efficiency. Here is a brief overview of each method’s pros and cons:

Method	Pros	Cons
AI-powered transcription	-Speed, as the transcription process takes a few minutes or even seconds -Cost-effectiveness, as many speech to text software offer affordable pricing -Ease of use, as AI tools are generally user-friendly -Searchable text, which makes it easier to navigate the transcribed content	-Less context sensitivity, as AI might not pick up on tone or emotion that a human transcriber could identify -Potential errors, as background noise or overlapping speech can reduce the accuracy
Manual transcription	-High attention to detail, as a human transcriber can capture subtle nuances in speech -Adaptability to complex audio, such as distinguishing between multiple speakers -Contextual understanding, as human transcribers can interpret tone and intent better than AI	-Time-consuming, especially for longer recordings -Expensive if you hire a professional transcription service -Prone to human error, as fatigue can lead to missed or incorrect words

As demonstrated above, AI-powered transcription is often superior when it comes to speed, convenience, and pricing. Moreover, with the growing advancements in AI technology, speech to text software can now accurately handle multiple languages and dialects, incorporate features like speaker identification and automatic punctuation, and adapt to various industries, from legal to medical.

How to Transcribe Voice Memos with Maestra in 5 Steps

Supporting 125+ languages, Maestra can convert your voice memo into text instantly and accurately. All you need is the audio file of your voice memo on your device.

Here’s how to transcribe voice memos with Maestra step-by-step:

Log in to your Maestra account and select “Transcription” from the left-side menu.

Click “New Transcription”.

Upload your audio file, select the number of speakers, and choose the audio language.

Once your file is processed, click on it to see the transcript in the user-friendly text editor, complete with speaker identification and timestamps.

*To change the name of a speaker, click the pen icon next to the name.

*To change any words in the transcript, simply click on the text you want to modify.

*To search for specific keywords, use the search bar in the top left corner.

*If you want to listen to the audio while following the transcript, use the progress bar next to the search bar.

*Editing functions are on the right side, where you can make bulk changes, style the text, and add notes. You can always revert to the original version with one click.

*To share and collaborate on the transcript with others, click “Share” in the top right corner.*If you need some help, click “Help” in the top left corner to see keyboard shortcuts, or use the chatbot in the bottom right corner.

Once ready, click “Export” in the top right corner to download the transcript in the format you prefer.

Simple as that. Your transcript will be securely stored in Maestra’s cloud, so you can access it anytime, from anywhere.

Real-Time Voice Memos Transcription with Maestra

What if you need to transcribe a voice memo in real time, whether it's you or someone else speaking?

Utilizing the latest AI transcription technology, Maestra’s live transcription tool makes it super easy and effortless. It generates a transcript instantly as the audio plays, and the best part? It’s completely free and doesn’t even require an account.

Here’s how to transcribe voice memos with Maestra’s live transcription tool, which supports 125+ languages, just like its audio-to-text converter:

Go to the web captioner page and click “Start Captioning” in the bottom right corner.

Allow the web captioner to access your microphone during captioning.

Click the head icon with three dots in the bottom right corner, select “Settings”, and choose “Language” from the left menu to select your preferred language.

Start speaking, and Maestra will automatically begin transcribing.

When you’re done, click “Stop Captioning”.

To download the transcript, click the head icon with three dots again, then select the save file icon to export the transcript as a TXT or DOCX file.

5 Best Practices for Transcribing Voice Memos

Before concluding our blog, let’s take a look at 5 best practices you can adopt when transcribing voice memos. The following tips will elevate the overall quality and readability of your transcripts.

Speak clearly. It’s helpful to articulate each word and avoid mumbling. This will ensure that the words are easily distinguishable, which significantly improves transcription accuracy. The clearer your speech, the less time you’ll spend editing the transcript later.

Minimize background noise. Background sounds can interfere with audio quality and make it difficult for transcription software to capture the spoken words. When recording your voice memo, choose a quiet space where external sounds are minimal. Additionally, mute or turn off any devices that may cause interruptions.

Avoid overly complicated jargon. While technical terms may be necessary in certain contexts, they can also complicate the transcription process. Using simple and straightforward language makes it easier for transcription tools to interpret accurately. If jargon must be used, provide these terms to the tool to help it recognize and process them effectively.

Label speakers for extra clarity. This practice is especially beneficial in discussions or interviews with multiple participants. Typically, transcription tools come with this feature, so you don’t have to manually identify each speaker. Still, make sure each speaker is defined correctly and consistently, especially if they have similar voices or names.

Review the transcript. Even the best transcription software can make mistakes. Listening to the audio while reading through the transcript will help you determine if the text aligns with the spoken words. Take your time and revise any sections that are incorrect or unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you transcribe voice memos for free?

If you’re wondering how to transcribe voice memos for free, you can utilize the free trial of Maestra’s audio to text converter. The process is straightforward: simply upload your audio file, select audio language, and then export the text in your preferred format. Keep in mind that the free trial has a size limit of 2GB.

How can I transfer voice memos from iPhone to computer?

To transfer voice memos from iPhone to computer, tap the voice memo and then the three dots on the right side of the memo. Tap “Share” and choose how you want to transfer the memo. You can select Mail to email the memo to yourself, or Airdrop to send it directly to your Mac.

Can you get live transcribe on iPhone?

Yes, in iOS 18, you can transcribe voice memos to text, as demonstrated in this video . Additionally, you can use the Notes app to transcribe audio to text. Keep in mind that the feature might not be available in all regions and languages.

Can I transcribe a voice memo in Word?

Yes, you can transcribe a voice memo in Word. However, as of October 2024, the feature is only available in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, and Word for the web. You can check Microsoft Support to see how to transcribe voice memos on Word in real-time or by uploading an audio file.

Can voice memos be transcribed on a Mac?

Yes, voice memos can be transcribed on a Mac. However, the feature is not available in all countries or regions. For more reliable results, it is better to use a third party app like Maestra, which offers advanced transcription capabilities.

Summary

This blog provided a tutorial on how to transcribe voice memos with Maestra, covering both pre-recorded and real-time transcription. It also highlighted 5 best practices to adopt when using AI-powered software for transcription.

Convert your voice memos to text with Maestra now and boost your productivity with clear, accessible text at your fingertips.