Question 1

What’s the best dictation app for writers?

Accepted Answer

Notta

Best for real-time transcription across multiple devices

Our platform offers real-time transcription across several devices and systems, with up to 98.86% accuracy. You can record your voice, upload audio and video files, or share a URL to get up to 5 hours of audio transcribed in around 10 minutes.

Google Docs Voice Typing

Best for basic transcription

If you use Google Docs to plan your writing, there’s an inbuilt speech-to-text feature called Voice Typing—you’ll find it under the tools menu. Just plug in your microphone and begin talking to convert it to text. Although there are no timestamps, it can be a handy tool to get your thoughts out quickly in writing, with basic formatting and transcription in several languages.

Apple Dictation

Best for writers using multiple Mac programs

On Mac, you can dictate anywhere you can type. This is helpful if you use multiple programs to write with. You can switch this on in your keyboard settings and use your microphone to transcribe your speech into text in real time. Add languages and Dictation can translate, even without an internet connection.

Windows Speech Recognition

Best for writers who want to dictate speech and control their PC

You can train Windows to understand your voice, then use your microphone to dictate your speech and even control your PC. There’s a bit of setup required as you’ll need to follow the training to teach Windows your voice for the best accuracy, but you can then open writing programs and transcribe in real time. Speech Recognition understands English, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Otter

Best for live video meetings

Although Otter for Web is geared towards transcribing live meetings, this is handy if you’re integrating interviews or group discussions as part of your writing. There’s an app for in-person recordings, too. All transcriptions are in real-time, but there’s also the option to sync Otter with Dropbox to transcribe stored audio and video.

Question 2

Why should writers use dictation software?

Accepted Answer

Dictation software for writers can help speed up the writing process and make writers more productive.

Speed: Speaking is much faster than typing, so transcribing your speech can mean you get more work done in less time. Using a real-time transcription tool like Notta allows you to note your thoughts down in writing quickly.

The tone of voice: As a writer, you know that if you give your writing too much thought, it can come across as stuffy or formal. Dictating your speech naturally transcribes it into text in the exact way you speak, making your writing easier for the reader to understand.

Improves verbal skills: When you're thinking on your feet, you need to avoid rambling and repeating yourself, finding different ways to explain what you mean without being overly wordy. Practicing dictating your speech helps you identify overused words and improve your vocabulary.

Question 3

What should I look for in dictation software?

Accepted Answer

Easy to use: The best speech-to-text software for writers should be straightforward to figure out in a few minutes. After all, it should save you time, not add more tasks to your workflow. A simple interface with clear steps to transcribe, export, and share your transcription is vital. For on-the-go dictation, a mobile app is a must.

Cost: Some free options may be too limited or basic for your needs, but be sure that you’re not paying for a dictation app that has more features than you will ever use. For example, there are free options such as Google Docs Voice Typing or Windows Speech Recognition, but these either have limited functions or transcribe at a slow pace with a lower level of accuracy. Paid dictation apps may offer enhanced features, such as higher accuracy, more languages, and a variety of export options. Notta Pro provides advanced AI features such as an AI summary tool and live transcription in meetings. Compare prices and available tools to get the most value for money.

Speed: Make sure your dictation app has the tools you need to do your best work. Using one app that does everything you need is more productive than switching between several apps. For example, if you reference audio in different languages, it should have translation capabilities. Use videos stored in the cloud? Choose a tool that can transcribe from URLs.

Compatibility: If you work on PC and switch over to iPad, or your clients want to access your transcripts from Edge while you work in Chrome, your transcription app should support multiple platforms and sync in real-time, too.

Accuracy: Dictating may be quicker than typing, but if your app isn’t accurate, you’ll spend time correcting mistakes. When your dictation app correctly understands and transcribes the words you speak, it has a higher accuracy rate. This means less time you spend changing words that it gets wrong. For example, Google Docs Voice Typing is around 90% accurate, whereas Notta is up to 98.86% accurate. Choose an app with high accuracy and speak clearly for the best results.

Question 4

How can I use the best dictation software for writing a book?

Accepted Answer

Log into your Notta account. From your dashboard, you can upload any audio or video files you want to transcribe by clicking ‘import files’. This is handy for interviews, podcasts, or webinars. Drag your file or paste a link and click ‘upload’. Your transcription will be ready in a few moments.
If you’d prefer to dictate your own speech and transcribe it in real-time, choose ‘record an audio’ and speak clearly into your microphone for best results. It can help to already have a rough structure or outline so you know which topics to talk about.
Open your transcription from the list of recordings and you can translate it into 43 languages, add notes as to-dos or key points, and rename the speakers.
To paraphrase the contents of your transcripts, you can summarize it with AI. Click the magic wand button and ‘generate’. Notta AI will provide a summary with chapters and action points you can use to structure your writing further.
When you’re ready to use your transcripts, click ‘download’ and choose from a variety of file formats including TXT and DOCX. If you’re like many writers who use Notion to organize your book, you can also share directly with Notion by clicking ‘send to Notion’ and connecting your account.

Question 5

How do I transcribe an audio recording to text?

Accepted Answer

Sign up for your Notta account and log in. Head to your dashboard, and click ‘import files’ to upload audio files from your device—Notta supports WAV, MP3, M4A, CAF, and AIFF audio formats. You can paste a URL for a file stored online on YouTube, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Click ‘upload’ and Notta will begin processing your transcript.
When your transcription is ready, you can add notes, rename the speakers, and correct any minor mistakes in the transcription process.
Click ‘download’ and choose TXT, PDF, or DOCX formats to export as text.

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