The first step in preparing the transcription is to obtain a rough transcription. This task is not as trivial as it sounds, for the soundtrack conceals a host of ambiguities, not all of which will be evident to the naive listener. Expect to spend more time refining the transcription than creating the first iteration. A refined transcription is a product of editorial scholarship, not tech support, for reasons that will become evident in this manual.
Experience suggests at least 20 hours is required to obtain a rough transcription of an hour-long interview. In addition, you will need to purchase your own transcription software and foot control pedal:
- Infinity USB Digital Foot Control with USB-2 ($55, Amazon; eventually, we seek to acquire two of these to lend out to members).
- Audiotranscription software (description): Mac: f5 Transcription Pro software, $50; or Windows: f4transkript, $25-$130.
Volunteers experienced in oral history transcription are welcome to use other software and control devices, if no support is needed.