How to Transcribe Audio To Text on Mac
How to transcribe audio to text on Mac
Transcribing audio to text can transform your ways of working, whether you're a student capturing lecture notes, a journalist working on an interview, or a professional documenting meetings. Transcriptions make your audio content accessible, searchable, and easy to reference, saving time and boosting productivity.
Fortunately, Mac users have a variety of tools at their fingertips, including built-in features for simple tasks and powerful third-party apps for more complex needs.
In this article we'll walk you through the options available to you, from Mac's Dictation tool for straightforward transcription, to Transcribe - the go-to choice for fast, accurate, and professional results.
Let's dive in!
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Transcribe audio to text with Mac's built-in dictation tool
Mac's built-in Dictation tool is a handy way to transcribe audio to text. Here's how to use it:
Step 1
Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation, and toggle Dictation to On. Choose your language and set a shortcut (e.g. press the Control key twice).
Step 2
Open a text editor, like Notes or Word, and start Dictation using your shortcut. Play your audio file through your speakers or speak into your computer's microphone, and the words will appear on the screen in real time.
Note: Mac users with iOS Sequoia or later can now record and transcribe audio directly within the Notes app. Simply click the Record Audio button in a note, save the recording, and select Transcribe to generate text.
Limitations
Mac's Dictation feature is a quick and easy solution for basic transcription tasks, but accuracy can vary, especially with background noise or complex audio. It also lacks advanced features like timestamps, speaker separation, or support for pre-recorded audio, making dedicated transcription tools like Transcribe a better choice for professional results.
Transcribe audio to text on Mac with Google Docs
Google Docs offers a free and straightforward way to transcribe audio using its Voice Typing feature. Here's how to use it on your Mac:
Step 1
Launch Google Docs in your web browser and open a blank document.
Step 2
Click Tools in the menu bar, then select Voice Typing. A microphone icon will appear on the left side of the document.
Step 3
Click the microphone icon to activate Voice Typing. Play your audio file through your speakers or speak directly into your computer's microphone, and Google Docs will convert the audio to text in the document in real time.
Limitations
While Google Docs is free and easy to use, it's only designed for live transcription - you can't upload pre-recorded audio files. Accuracy can vary, especially when accents are involved, which can result in extra time spent editing. What's more, there's no option to add timestamps or speaker separation. If you want to transcribe recorded audio and get accurate, ready-to-use transcripts, consider a dedicated transcription tool like Transcribe.
Transcribe audio to text on Mac with Transcribe
For a fast, accurate, and hassle-free transcription experience, Transcribe.com is the best transcription tool for Mac users. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Download the Transcribe app
Download the Transcribe app or launch the online editor
Step 2: Upload your audio file
You can import files from any app or cloud storage system, including Google Drive and Dropbox. You can also record and review conversations in real time with our live transcription service. Check out our guide on how to get a real-time transcription.
Step 3: Choose your language
Select the language of your recording from more than 120 languages and dialects.
Step 4: Start the transcription process
Your transcription will be ready in a matter of minutes thanks to our speedy AI software.
Step 5: Your transcription is ready!
You can now proofread and polish the text in the app, online or in your preferred file format - with or without timestamps. With our standard version you can export your transcribed text to TXT, or upgrade to our PRO service to export to PDF, DOCX, SRT, and JPG.
Why choose Transcribe?
For Mac users looking to save time and get professional-quality results, Transcribe is the clear choice. Here's why:
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High accuracy: Our advanced AI technology ensures your transcripts are precise, even with accents or complex audio.
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Timestamps: Automatically include timestamps in your transcript, making it easy to locate specific sections.
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Multilingual support: Transcribe in over 120 languages and dialects.
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Flexible file import and export: Import various audio and video formats, and export transcriptions in multiple formats, including PDF, DOCX, SRT, and JPG.
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Real-time transcription: Record and transcribe conversations in real-time, ideal for meetings and interviews.
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Integration with Zoom: Seamlessly transcribe Zoom meetings, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
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Collaboration tools: Share and collaborate on transcriptions with team members, streamlining workflows.
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Secure cloud storage: Store up to 500 audio files securely, for easy access across devices.
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Customizable speaker identification: Differentiate between speakers in multi-speaker recordings for clearer transcriptions.
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Transcript summaries: Generate concise summaries of lengthy transcriptions, saving time and effort.
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Transcript translations: Translate your transcripts into more than 120 languages.
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Affordable options: Pay-as-you-go or subscription plans suit any budget.
Ready to transcribe audio to text on Mac?
While there are plenty of methods to choose from, a dedicated transcription tool like Transcribe offers the quickest, most efficient path to professional-quality results.
Download the Transcribe app or launch the online editor to get started!