A professional transcription software
Express Scribe is a free and professional audio player designed to help typists transcribe recordings. It comes with a variety of features, including playback speed control, speech to text integration engine, and pedal control. Scribe transcription supports a variety of file formats that you can load via CD players, LAN, and local hard drives. The software also provides support for hand-held recorders so users can transfer audio quickly and easily. Developed by NCH Software, the transcribing tool is also available for download on Mac devices. It is now also available on the new OS, Windows 11.
What is Express Scribe software?
Express Scribe is a free transcription software used by typists around the world. It allows users to carefully listen to and write down everything, word for word, in an effortless manner. The tool works well on Windows and supports the use of various file formats and hand-held recorders.
Additionally, the tool helps you decrease transcribing time by allowing you to use keyboard hotkeys. Since it supports the use of a pedal, you can control the tempo of the audio without having to touch your PC. Express Scribe also consists of a variety of other features that make transcription quite effortless.
Easy-to-use interface
Express Scribe is beginner-friendly and ready to use the moment it’s installed. The interface consists of all the controls that you may require in a streamlined manner. You can customize the tool by making minor changes to the available settings.
Recordings get displayed like tape recorders. Each file comes with additional information like the date of creation, details of the person who created it, length of the recording, and location. The software also offers different file management options so you can keep track of your work.
How does Express Scribe work?
Using Express Scribe is quite straightforward. You need to select a dictation file or audio recording to begin transcribing. Since the tool supports both video and audio formats, you can have your pick with regards to the files you wish to transcribe. You can even transcribe song lyrics or movie subtitles using the software.
To get started, upload a file from a CD, hand-held recorder, or hard drive on to the dashboard. As soon as it’s loaded, you’ll see the details of the recording. All you need to do is press play and start working. If you own a foot pedal, you have to add it to the software to start the transcription process.
Comes with a lot of features
Express Scribe free download comes with various features that make transcription quicker. For starters, the tool supports the use of a USB pedal so you can control playback using your foot, leaving your hands free to type. In case you don’t have a pedal, you can use keyboard hotkeys to save time while typing.
Additionally, the transcription software offers the ability to automatically receive files and send back transcriptions as soon as they’re complete. The tool supports multiple file formats, including WMA, MP3, WAV, and can also read encrypted files.
Express Scribe comes with variable speed playback, so you can control the speed of the recordings and play them according to your requirements. It also supports the use of portable recorders and can transcribe audio formats without any trouble.
Retrieve recordings automatically
You can use the Express Scribe tool to download content from a local server or FTP automatically. However, when you get started, you must configure the method in which to receive files. The software offers three methods, manually download one, or multiple files, or automatically download all available files. You can also add deadlines and bookmarks to dictations as and when required.
Optimize audio tracks with ease
In case you come across a speech that is difficult to understand, you can use Express Scribes’ Special Audio Process feature and make the file audible. With it, you can increase the volume, change the pitch, reduce background sounds, add a high pass filter, or remove modifications. This audio optimization tool makes it easier to work with files that would otherwise take a lot more time and effort.
Offers usability support
In case you’re new to transcribing, you don’t have to worry about using the tool. It comes with a lot of documentation that can help you in learning the workings of the NCH Software. Since the tool is quite popular with typists, there are many online forums where you can get tips or answers related to the Scribe transcription software.
How long does it take to transcribe one hour of audio?
On average, it takes about an hour to transcribe a slow and clear audio file of 15 minutes. So, you would need about 4 hours to transcribe one hour of speech.
How do I install Express Scribe?
Downloading and installing Express Scribe is quite straightforward. All you need to do is open the setup file, accept the privacy terms, and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. The only drawback to the setup is that it doesn’t let you decide the destination of the application.
Is Express Scribe free?
Yes, Express Scribe is free to download and specifically designed for transcription work. While the software comes with a lot of features, it does have a premium version that you need to download in case you want to use the software for commercial purposes.
Is Express Scribe safe?
Yes, the NCH Software is safe to download and suitable for receiving and reading encrypted files.
Are there any alternatives?
NCH Software is quite popular among typists and comes with many features. But, if you’re looking for alternatives, you should check out Transcriber Pro, Transcriber, and EureScribe.
Should I download Express Scribe?
Express Scribe offers a fast and easy way to transcribe both audio and video files and is a must-have tool for typists. It gives you control on playback speed, offers file management support, and can read encrypted files. The tool is also handy in optimizing audio that isn’t very clear. It supports the use of hotkeys as well as foot pedals, and is free to download and use!
User reviews about Express Scribe
by Rose Jackson
It does okay, however has features you can not use ie: the priority and deadline feature. I use ES everyday as I run a transcription business and I ask all my team to use it also, so I do recommend it, however, they certainly could improve by having functions that WORK and you can actually use, otherwise, what is the point, and the priority / deadline feature is a MUST for a large business like mine where you get urgent jobs and not so urgent ones come in. More
by Tegan-Lily Nixon
Perfect..
Using to get a transcript from interview rushes. Works perfectly - just not a long trial!
by Anonymous
Buggy because they have no competition..
Buggy, full of features you can't use (eg. add priories in the priorities column), and pretty much the only the only transcription software out there for a Mac so it's like trying to build a house with a plastic hammer.
Pros:
Works with a pedal.
Cons:
Crashes several times a day
Has features you can't use (like priority column) More
by Anonymous
Not free anymore..
Not free anymore, it blocks after a few uses. (now costs 13 dollars)
by Anonymous
Too many bugs with no automatic upgrades for Pro version.
I installed Express Scribe 5.52 just a few months ago and upgraded to Pro. Since then, I've been having the same problem over and over again, where the app stalls occasionally when i try to remove audio files from my list. When I reported it, it led me to a page where it was recommended I download a newer version. However, because I purchased it more than three months ago, I'd have to shell out another 30 bucks, which just sucks! More
by Anonymous
Waste of time for a student..
This program is obnoxious. As a student taking a course that requires this program, I am incredibly annoyed by it. I ran the course on WIN 7 and had to re-install the program at least once a month due to it not connecting with my foot pedal on the free version. Now, running on WIN 8, I have had to uninstall and re-install the program 4 times in the last 2 weeks because either it tells me the trial period has ended within a 4-5 day period or my foot pedal no longer works with the program. If a program is being offered to a student, the least you could do is use a program that works and doesn't have to be uninstalled and re-installed constantly. I have spent more time trying to get this program to work, than I have actually using it. When the Background noise is softened, it often times distorts the playback of the speaking person. Often times my dictations take as long as 45 minutes to load to the program and this is just the beginning.
Pros:
Design is efficient
Cons:
foot pedal compatibility
dictations load slow
free version is a waste of time More