Express Scribe for Verbatim Transcripts
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use Express Scribe to create verbatim transcripts of interviews and focus groups. Currently, one department uses the program to produce extremely accurate transcripts of conversations in order to allow analysts to read these conversations, which takes them less time than if they were to listen to audio files. We then use these transcripts to analyze responses and use them to make recommendations for selection and development.
Pros
- Cost efficient - This is a fairly low-cost transcription software that can be downloaded quickly via web
- Easy to use - New users can get the hang of this software pretty quickly
- Customizable - Foot pedal controls and other preferences can be set based on what feels intuitive to the user
Cons
- Interface - The look and feel of the software is quite dated and could use a refresh
- Enhancing audio - When we need to manipulate an audio file to try to enhance it (amplifying, for example), we have to use another program to do so
- Hotkeys - Setting up hotkeys may not be as intuitive for new users as would be ideal
Likelihood to Recommend
It has a free trial, which is very nice if someone just needs temporary access to use, and it's not an expensive program overall. It may not be the most robust program available, but it gets the job done at a good price point. It might not be the best if you need something that allows transcriptionists to collaborate (i.e., working on the same file at the same time).
