MINIDISC TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES

Mini discs (or minidisks as they're sometimes known) have long provided the middle ground between the physical media of tapes and the exceptional clarity of digital. We are always delighted to receive minidisc recordings as they're usually clearly audible. Most minidisc recorders have a socket to attach an external microphone and the recording is easily on a par with digital.

Mini-disc transcription is one of our specialist services. We are committed to supporting clients with all their mini disc recordings, whether for dictation, minidisc interview transcription (either one-to-one or with several participants), university research interviews, teleconferences, focus groups, lectures, vox pops, or roundtable discussions and group meeting transcription services.

The portability of a minidisc recorder means that it has superceded some of the more cumbersome analogue recorders. However, manufacturers have yet to catch up with demand and produce minidisc transcription equipment. So each minidisc has to be re-recorded on to the PC in a digital format for use in transcription software. We are happy to provide this conversion service for our clients at no extra cost, and there is almost no loss in quality from the original recording. We will also offer you a free copy of this digital recording if you wish. As the digital format allows us to insert time markers for any inaudible words, clients are then able to play back this digital recording to fill in any gaps more easily than listening to the whole minidisc.

As mini disc recorders produce what is essentially a digital quality of recording, this significantly reduces both transcription time and costs, and results in fewer inaudible sections. We are pleased to offer a fixed per audio minute price for all minidisc recordings, so you know in advance what your overall costs will be.

We understand the importance of confidentiality and adherence to deadlines while maintaining a high quality and cost effective transcription service, and pride ourselves on our flexible approach to urgent deadlines. Our Testimonial page contains comments from our long list of satisfied clients. Whatever the size of your project, whether it be a handful of interviews or an ongoing project over a long period of time, we can utilise our project management experience.

We have provided Guidelines and Equipment pages with advice on how to make the best of your minidisc recordings and transcription. Although minidiscs are superior to all analogue recorders, you still need to do all the common sense things associated with making a clear recording. It can still be affected by background noise, lack of a microphone or equipment interference.

Minidisc Transcription Services	Price Range Per Audio Minute based on Intelligent Verbatim transcripts+
Dictation transcription services Standard rate Discounted rate *	£1.40 - £1.75 £1.25 - £1.50
Interview transcription services (up to three participants) Standard rate Discounted rate * Interview transcription services (multiple participants) Standard rate Discounted rate *	£1.50 - £1.75 £1.40 - £1.60 £1.75 - £2.50 £1.60 - £2.10
Conference transcription services - speakers, lectures Standard rate Discounted rate * Conference transcription services - Q&As, breakout sessions Standard rate Discounted rate *	£2.00 - £2.20 £1.75 - £1.95 £2.50 - £3.00 £1.90 - £2.10
Meetings, vox pops, focus groups transcription services Standard rate Discounted rate *	£2.00 - £3.00 £1.90 - £2.50
Please note: these rates apply only to good quality, clearly audible digital or minidisc recordings. The price range is designed to cover issues such as background noise, strong accents and technical terms. Should the subsequent recording prove to be not as described, we will requote and discuss this with you before proceeding. For audio tape transcription we charge an hourly rate. See our Transcription Times page for the factors which influence transcription. All prices are in £ Sterling and VAT is NOT applicable. + Please add 50p per audio minute (25p discounted) for a Complete Verbatim or 25p per audio minute (10p discounted) for Edited Transcript price. See our Definitions page for details of what each transcript style means.
* The discounted rate applies only to universities, charities and students. All prices assume a good quality, clearly audible digital recording.

ALL RECORDINGS are listened to a second time, Internet research is carried out where necessary, and all transcripts are proofread by the Director, Irene Boston, before being sent to clients. There is no extra charge for this service. Not all transcription companies do this, some don't even proofread, so make sure you ask the right questions before choosing a service.

For any large scale transcription project, we would recommend giving us as much advance notice of your requirements as possible. This allows us to reserve space in our schedule. Most established transcription companies have a long list of regular customers and to suddenly find a block of free space for a large project can be difficult. So book your transcription company in advance, the same way you would an interview schedule or an event venue.

Our default transcript style is Intelligent Verbatim as that is the most cost effective method of transcription. Please read our definitions of Complete Verbatim, Intelligent Verbatim and Edited Transcript to choose which format is most suitable. We have a standard page layout for all transcripts but can work in your house style if you wish. As with all our transcriptions, we provide a Transcript Code for each document to signify areas which are inaudible or unclear.

For all minidiscs, we advise you to send them using a traceable method, such as Registered Post or courier, but please only send us the originals. Copies will be of a much poorer quality and will increase transcription time and, therefore, costs.

We hope this provides you with a thorough overview of our minidisc transcription services. Please email or contact us on 01485 543746 for further information and turnaround times based on our current schedule, or browse our Overview or FAQ pages. Or see our Prices of other services.