Journalistic interviews can be efficiently transcribed with general transcription services. This blog highlights how such interviews can be successfully recorded and transcribed.

1. LEGAL TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE
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Effective Recording and Transcribing
of Journalistic Interviews
Journalistic interviews can be efficiently
transcribed with general transcription
services. This blog highlights how such
interviews can be successfully recorded and
transcribed.

2. www.legaltranscriptionservice.com 1-800-670-2809
The interview is one of the most important tools journalists use to obtain information,
add to information obtained from other sources, and also to understand things from
various perspectives. Most journalists prefer to have these interviews transcribed
preferably with the help of a general transcription provider (saving both time and
effort), and have a clear idea regarding the “who, what, where, how, when and why” of
particular topics and news items. Interviews provide rich and valuable information.
Whatever be the issues journalists cover – health and environmental concerns, gender
equality, global warming, nuclear weapons, corruption, poverty eradication, globalization
-- transcribing the related interviews helps in obtaining well-documented content that
can be shared, published and used for future reference.
Recording an Interview
Recording interviews has become easier for journalists now with the availability of
smartphones. The phone is a very powerful reporting tool and may easily substitute
emails, calls, and text messages; it can also function as a computer, camera, recorder
and publishing tool.
There are default apps in smartphones you can use to record an interview, but the
quality of the output may not be good because these apps do not usually offer many
audio settings. Good quality audio is necessary for accurate transcription of the
recording. Good quality recording is also essential if you want to include a quote from
the interview in audio format in your content. Dan Kennedy, an associate professor in
the School of Journalism at North-eastern University recommends the iTalk app, which is
an inexpensive and easy-to-use app. It indicates the quality level of the recording and
also shows time lapse that gives time to jot down points. Along with the iTalk app he
recommends using a lapel mic, which gives good quality audio even in a noisy
background. There are good transcription software options as well, such as Trint,
Express Scribe and Casting Words.
Great Apps for Journalists to Record Interviews
Here are some useful audio and call recording apps for journalists that will make the
recording process simple and effective.
 iTalk: This allows to record files in high quality. The recorded files can be
saved to Dropbox with the Pro version.
 IAudition: Ensures high quality mp3 audio. You can make quick edits and send
the files via email or FTP site.

3. www.legaltranscriptionservice.com 1-800-670-2809
 TapeACall: It allows you to record incoming and outgoing cellular phone calls.
There is no time limit on recordings, and the files can be uploaded to
Dropbox, Evernote or Google Drive.
 SkyRecorder: This app for iPhone and iPad features unlimited recording time.
It can be used to record Skype and VOIP calls.
 AudioNote: Available on iOS and Android, this app lets you record audio while
typing notes. It syncs audio to text notes and is a great option to record
meetings, interviews, conferences and speeches while taking notes.
 VoiceBase: This is a voice recorder that automatically generates keyword links
and topics called AutoNotes. You can re-access any particular part of the
recording instantly.
Transcribing the Interview
Busy journalists utilize general transcription services to avoid the tediousness of the
transcription process. Going by the nature of the industry, they require the transcripts
within quick turnaround time, which makes outsourcing interview transcription a
sensible option. However, if you plan to do the transcription on your own, here are some
helpful tips:
 Before transcribing the interview the first and foremost thing is to write down the
names of the interviewer, interviewee, time, data and location correctly.
 Interviews are generally long and in question and answer format, so for quality
output it is better to play the audio in small sections and transcribe as you hear
them.
 If any words are inaudible then repeat the tapes or leave a blank space or make
an intelligent transcription.
 Eliminate excessive use of gap fillers, correct grammar errors and punctuation
marks and spell out all abbreviations.
 Once the transcribing is over, play the audio and read the transcript along with
the audio. This will help obtain error-free and quality transcripts.