•TranscribeFast Team

Audio Transcription Best Practices: 21 Pro Tips for Crystal-Clear Text

Professional tips to improve speech to text accuracy: recording setup, file prep, diarization, accents, editing, and export. Ideal for interviews, podcasts, and meetings.

Want cleaner transcripts with fewer edits? Use these battle-tested tips to improve audio transcription accuracy across devices, accents, and environments.

1) Nail the Recording Setup

  • Use an external mic or headset; avoid built-in laptop mics.
  • Record in a quiet room with soft furnishings to reduce echo.
  • Keep steady mic distance and speak at a natural pace.

2) Prepare Files for Success

  • Upload supported formats (MP3, WAV, M4A). Prefer WAV for highest quality.
  • Trim long silences; split very long recordings into 30–60 minute parts.
  • If possible, normalize audio and reduce background noise.

3) Match Language and Accents

  • Select the exact locale (e.g., en-US vs en-GB) for better punctuation and spelling.
  • Add context for jargon and names when editing—consistency matters.
  • Enable speaker diarization for interviews and panels.

4) Edit Efficiently

  • Scan timestamps to jump to tricky sections quickly.
  • Break walls of text into short paragraphs for readability.
  • Standardize terms and names once, then apply globally.

5) Export the Right Way

  • Use TXT for quick sharing, DOCX for editing, PDF for final distribution.
  • Include speaker labels and timestamps when needed for analysis.

FAQs

What accuracy can I expect?

With clean audio, expect 95%+—and even higher after a quick pass of edits.

Does it work with multiple speakers?

Yes. Turn on speaker diarization to separate and label speakers automatically.