Using Hot Keys for Express Scribe
Express Scribe is free audio software that allows you to playback an audio file in order to transcribe the file.
If you haven't got a foot pedal to control the playing back of your audio file then you will need to use the Hot Keys.
To view the Hot Keys that are set up for this free audio program open Express Scribe and click on Options > System-Wide-Hot-Keys.
Ensure that there is a tick in the Enable System-wide Hot-Keys.
The default settings are:
F2 Play Slow Speed
F3 Play Fast Speed
F4 Stop
F5 Open Express Scribe
F6 Minimize Express Scribe
F7 Rewind
F8 Fast Forward
F9 Play
F10 Play Real Speed
Express Scribe allows you to change the Hot-Keys if you want them set up differently.
If you only do occasional audio transcription and you do not charge by the hour then you could use the Hot Keys. The default settings are easy to use.
It is obviously much faster to use a foot pedal than to use the Hot-Keys. With a foot pedal you can set up Express Scribe to rewind the file when you stop the tape. Click on Options > Playback > set the Auto Backstep on Stop (ms) to your preferred setting e.g. 1000 (ms) for one second.
If you perform the service regularly I suggest you purchase a Foot Pedal. It will allow you to be more productive.
Click for Recommended Foot Pedals to work with Express Scribe.
Happy transcribing!
Chris
Resource: Express Scribe can be downloaded from NCH software.
Should You Use the HoT Keys or a Foot Pedal for Audio Transcription?
Offering audio transcription as a service is easy and cheap to do. If you have done quite a bit of audio typing then you will already know that using a foot pedal, when you are transcribing audio, will increase your speed.
I recommend an Infinity USB Foot Pedal if you are using Express Scribe.
==> Buy the Infinity USB Foot Pedal <==
We understand that the Infinity USB foot pedal is also compatible with:
Auto Wav Player (Dataworxs)
BCB/VoiceIQ
byteSCRIBE – (VOX OR WAV)
CourtSmart
Crescendo
CyberTranscriber
Dataworxs (Auto Wav Player)
DocQscribe (MedQuist)
Dolbey Systems (Fusion Voice)
ECS (PowerPlayer)
Fusion Voice (Dolbey Systems)
FTR (FTR Gold)
FutureNet (iPlayer)
GearPlayer (Transcription Gear)
HPI Sum
HTH (Start/Stop)
InqScribe
iPlayer (FutureNet)
Medical Transcription Interactive
MedQuist (DocQscibe)
PC Dart (PlayAll XTRA)
PlayAll XTRA (PC Dart)
RapidText
Transcription Buddy
Transcription Gear (GearPlayer)
Vianeta
VoiceIQ (BCB)
WebCorrect
WinScribe
And many others
Express Scribe Transcription Software
Express Scribe is free playback software that allows you to offer transcription as a service.
You can either use the Hot Keys to control the playback or a foot pedal. If audio transcription is a service you only offer occasionally it is possible to use the Hot Keys. It can be time consuming though and can be a pain when you hit the wrong key.
I have on many occasions hit the F3 (Play Fast Speed) instead of the F4 (Stop) which speeds it up to 150%!
I then have to change it back to the speed I want. All this messing around adds on extra time. I keep putting off buying a pedal but looking at the stats below I think it is time to invest.
Using the Infinity USB Foot Peal with Express Scribe
A foot pedal would obviously increase your speed and thus your productivity. If you charge per audio minute then this can increase your earnings.
If you could increase your typing speed from 50 wpm to 65 wpm and you work a 50 hour week this would save you 11.5 hours per week. If you’re wondering how I did the maths see below:
50 wpm x 60 minutes x 50 hours = 150,000 words per week
To do the same amount of words per week at 65 wpm:
150,000 \ 65 wpm \ 60 minutes = 38.5 hours
50 – 38.5 hrs = 11.5 hrs saved
The infinity USB foot pedal is definitely a good investment and it will have paid for itself in a week or so depending on how much your speed improves.
The infinity foot pedal below will work with express scribe and is inexpensive.
Ok, once you’ve got your foot pedal where can you go to practice your audio? If you’re a bit rusty or perhaps you are new to audio typing then you will want to try to improve your speed. Here are a few sites I have found for you to practice your audio skills:
http://www.meditec.com/resourcestools/free-training/
http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/practice.html.
The NCH Software website provides great resources including some sample transcription audio files for you to practice your audio typing.
The files will help you to learn some medical and legal terminology. You will also be able to practice controlling audio playback with a foot pedal control. You can download all the files for free from http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/practice.html.
They also provide you with the completed transcriptions so that you can check your work when you have finished transcribing the samples. This is great free training if you are rusty or want to start providing audio transcription services.
Keep practicing!
Chris
Resources: Free Express Scribe download
