Many industries are now choosing to use automatic transcription to record meetings, interviews, and consultations, amongst many other uses. However, this software is not always the most accurate. Let’s take a look at how the makers of such software try to ensure that this software is as accurate as possible.

Can It Recognise Multiple Speakers?

One of the primary things an automatic transcription software needs to be able to do is recognize the difference between various voices that might be speaking on the track. If the transcription software is working on an interview, there might be two different people speaking, or maybe even three or more, and the software needs to be able to accurately detect who is who.

Anyone who goes over the transcript after needs to know precisely who said what – especially if the transcript will be used for legal purposes. Even when two people might be speaking over each other, the transcription needs to be able to record this and make a note of it. The clearer these confusing moments can be, the more accurate the software as a whole will be.

Does It Take Down Words Accurately?

Even if you have just the one speaker providing a monologue or lecture, some automatic transcription software might not be up to the task. You need to look for accurate voice transcription so you can get as accurate a script as possible.

If you need the transcription for legal purposes or for accurate record-keeping, it won’t do to have a transcription that does not make sense. We can’t always expect a speaker to speak clearly and fully enunciate with every word, and not everyone has an accent that is easily understood. An accurate transcription software should be able to compensate for this as best as it can.

Does It Pick Up Human Speech Patterns?

No-one stands up and perfectly recites a set of lines. We stutter we take pauses, we repeat ourselves. We use inflections like “um” when speaking. All of these will be present in a piece of audio, even if it is from a professional speaker.

A good transcription software should be able to offer these intact. Some might want just the actual words spoken, whereas others might want the little differences. They might be studying academically or need them for a complete record. Every project has different needs, so it is important to work out what is needed before choosing software.

It is possible to find accurate transcription software if you know where to look for it. With so much on offer here in terms of inclusions or accuracy levels, it is important that you know what your final transcription should look like beforehand so you can make the best choices when choosing a software. Use the three above points to help determine precisely how accurate the software is and how closely it meets your needs. Remember, every project might need something different, so flexibility is always wanted!