If you have mobility or motor impairments, repetitive stress injuries, or you find typing on a keyboard difficult in any way, there's an alternative. Dictation lets you talk instead of type, and voice-to-text transcribes what you say into words on the screen. It's among the Mac's many accessibility features. All you have to do is set it up and get going.
Mar 03, 2016 Part 3 3. Dragon dictate This free dictation software for Mac is a professional tool for recording and dictating. This software claims 99.5% accuracy and helps create reports, articles, books, eBooks and many others. It can be used to give commands to Mac as well. So in such instances, the various transcription software available come to rescue. This software mainly performs speech to text conversion making your job a whole lot easier. Here are Top 10 Transcription Software for Mac. Express Scribe Express Scribe is designed considering the needs of Mac users.
How to enable and use Dictation
Basic dictation is essentially always enabled by default — you just need to activate it.
- Click into a text area like a document or the address bar of your web browser.
- Double-press the Fn key. A microphone will appear on your screen and if it's receiving audio, you'll see activity inside of it.
- Speak the text you want to type. You can speak various punctuation and symbols, including brackets, percent signs, and more. You can also say phrases like 'caps on' to turn on capital letters.
- Click Done under the microphone icon or press the Fn key once when you're finished dictating.
The more you use Dictation, the more it learns how you speak — like your accent and cadence. It may seem finicky at first, but as you use it more, it'll get better and better. Apple has a great starter guide on how to dictate punctuation and formatting, as well.
How to change your Dictation language
Did you know that you can dictate your text in multiple languages? Here's how.
- Open System Preferences from your Dock or Applications folder.
- Click Keyboard.
- Click Dictation.
- Click the drop-down next to Language.
- Click Add Language…
- Click the checkboxes next to languages that you wish to add.
- Click OK.
To use those languages, you can switch to the default dictation option at any time by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation Language and selecting your current language from the dropdown menu.
How to enable and use Enhanced Dictation
Enhanced Dictation enables you to dictate without an internet connection, and dictate continuously; this means that your words will convert to text more quickly since they're being processed locally on your device.
- Open System Preferences from your Dock or Applications folder.
- Click Keyboard.
- Click Dictation.
- Click the checkbox next to Use Enhanced Dictation. Enhanced Dictation will take several minutes to download if you haven't done so already.
Once enabled, you can use Enhanced Dictation the same way you would regular dictation. Press the Fn key twice when your cursor is in a text field. If the microphone shows up, speak what you want to be typed and click Done or press the Fn key once.
How to change the Dictation keyboard shortcut
While the Fn key on your Mac's keyboard is the default trigger for dictation, you can change that in the Dictation section of the keyboard preference pane
- Open System Preferences from your Dock or Applications folder.
- Click Keyboard.
- Click Dictation.
- Click the drop-down menu next to Shortcut.
- Click an option in the list or click Customize to create your own (seems like only the arrow keys work).
How to enable/disable Dictation Commands
Dictation Commands allow you to do things with your text just by speaking. For example, you can select a whole paragraph, go back to the beginning, or replace a phrase with another phrase.
You can only use Dictation Commands with Enhanced Dictation enabled.
- Click the Apple menu button on the top left of your screen.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Accessibility.
- Click Dictation in the menu on the left. You'll have to scroll down a bit to find it.
- Click Dictation Commands…
- Click the checkbox next to each dictation command you'd like to disable. They're all enabled by default.
- Click Done in the bottom right corner of the window.
Reading through the Dictation Commands list is a great way to learn all the things you can do with text just by speaking to your Mac. You can also click the checkbox next to Enable advanced commands, which will enable system commands.
How to enable the dictation keyword phrase
Want to feel like you're in a sci-fi movie? Enable the dictation keyword phrase and you'll be able to use dictation commands even when you're not dictating. So you can be all 'computer, replace 'boots' with 'cats',' and the phrase will be replaced in your text. It's a bit finicky, but when it works, it's so cool!
You have to have Enhanced Dictation enabled for this to work.
- Click the Apple menu button on the top left of your screen.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Accessibility.
- Click Dictation in the menu on the left. You'll have to scroll down a bit to find it.
- Click the checkbox next to Enable the dictation keyword phrase.
- Enter a keyword phrase if you want to change it from 'Computer'. (But if you leave it as 'Computer', you sound like the captain of a spaceship!)
Now when your cursor is in a text field, you can just say the keyword phrase and your dictation command and it'll do it.
How to enable a sound when a command is recognized
You have to have Enhanced Dictation enabled for this to work.
- Click the Apple menu button on the top left of your screen.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Accessibility.
- Click Dictation in the menu on the left. You'll have to scroll down a bit to find it.
- Click the checkbox next to Play sound when command is recognized.
How to enable/disable output mute during dictation
If you accidentally open a website with an autoplay video or you're listening to music but want to dictate something quickly, you can mute audio output during dictation so that you don't have to manually fiddle around with volume.
You must have Enhanced Dictation enabled to use this feature.
- Click the Apple menu button on the top left of your screen.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Accessibility.
- Click Dictation in the menu on the left. You'll have to scroll down a bit to find it.
- Click the checkbox next to Mute audio output while dictating.
Dictation accessibility in macOS Catalina
In macOS Catalina, Apple has opted to change things up a bit regarding dictation and accessibility. While there was previously a section for accessibility options for dictation in System Preferences, those capabilities have been folded into the new Voice Control accessibility feature. Voice Control is a greatly expanded set of capabilities that allow you to control every aspect of your Mac, including text entry, with your voice.
Great accessories for your Mac
Apple AirPods 2(From $159 at Apple)
The best Apple accessory has gotten betting with AirPods 2. Now offering a wireless charger case, the popular earbuds feature the new Apple H1 headphone chip that delivers a faster wireless connection to your devices, as well as support for 'Hey Siri.'
![Dragon dictation software for mac Dragon dictation software for mac](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126640489/777194950.jpg)
Bose Companion 20($250 at Amazon)
These beautiful speakers offer a balanced sound in a stylish package. With no knobs on the front, a small pod attached to the right speaker controls volume, which also holds the ports for your headphones or other audio devices.
Questions?
Dictation questions? Let us know in the comments below!
Updated July 2019: Updated instructions for macOS Mojave and added a section about what's happening with dictation accessibility in macOS Catalina.
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Apple has announced that its newest retail store, Apple Sanlitun in Bejing, is opening to customers in the area later today.
In our previous article, we showed you, how you can automatically transcribe YouTube videos using Google Docs. And in recent years, we have seen a rise in transcription software that uses artificial intelligence to speed up the process. I tested quite a few of them and while only a few of them also support automated transcription, but all of them are meant to make the transcription process easier for you.
Just to make things sure, a transcription software is way different from a dictation software. It’s designed to help you in the process of medical, legal transcription. Be it interviews or medical appointments, accuracy is something you cannot compromise. So, you need a transcription software for Mac that doesn’t let you down at any point. Let’s check out a few of them. Shall we?
Quick Tip: Upload video on YouTube, set as private, and use the auto-transcribe feature to download a text transcription. This is not only cheap and unlimited but also quite accurate for native English speaker.
Best Transcription Software for Mac
1. Express Scribe
Express Scribe is one of the most popular choices when it comes to transcription in Mac. You can name it an awesome audio player software too. Express Scribe helps you play audio and video content so that you can optimize the transcription process. Compared to a normal media player, you have more control over not just the speed but also how the transcribed content is made.
There are a few professional features one might love. For instance, Express Scribe offers extensive support for foot-pedals. You can purchase one of these pedals and use it for controlling audio playback. Similarly, it allows you to load audio content from a variety of sources, including portable voice recorders out there. The wonderful collection of hotkeys also makes it easy to manage voice/video.
Express Scribe also offers a bunch of customization options. For instance, you can easily control the sources and destinations of the audio. In addition to this, an in-built task manager and syncing options make it really easy for users to deal with multiple transcription projects. However, we’re not sure of the feature for sending transcribed audios automatically.
Pros
- Professional interface
- Customizable features
- Extensive support
- Hotkey support
Cons
- Not suitable for Beginners
Who Is It For
Express Scribe is the best macOS transcription software for intermediates and professionals. It offers enough control and customization over the transcription process. You can also connect external accessories to grab the best results. Considering the features in the offer, the price-tag of $29 doesn’t seem that high, either. You’d also be able to use the limited free version.
2. Transcriva
Transcriva is one of the transcription software that prioritizes User Interface. It has been designed in a way that the transcription process is put first. Of course, there are professional features like food-pedal support, but Transcriva focuses on how easily you can transcribe. It’s a popular choice when it comes to transcribing interviews and related content.
If you ask us, we’d say Transcriva is one of the simplest ways to transcribe video or audio. In both cases, you have easy ways to track your progress and customize the process. For instance, Transcriva has a mini-player for video playback. On the other hand, you can control the sound and speed when you are using an audio player as the source.
In addition to the standard fulfilling, Transcriva offers some cool features. Follow-Along, for instance, allows you to check the transcribed content for accuracy. Similarly, support for multiple audio sources and complete support for keyboard shortcut make the transcription process a lot smoother. Compared to Express Scribe, Transcriva offers better transcript management as well.
Pros
- An intuitive UI
- Professional features
- Extra features like Follow-Along
Cons
- Audio playback could be better
Who Is It For
Transcriva is suitable for all types of transcribers — casual, hobbyists and professionals. If you’re looking for a professional tool with a simple interface, Transcriva is the best choice out there. It offers the best compatibility as well as recording options as well. You can try Transcriva free of cost for a limited amount of time, but the license costs $29.99.
3. Descript
Compared to the other transcription software we’ve covered, Descript is a bit different. First of all, it has one of the most modern UIs we’ve ever seen. Descript is at the same time a professional transcription software as well as an intelligent audio editor. You can also use this program to automatically transcribe audio content and use some smart features.
Talking about features, Descript has many to offer. Drag-and-drop functionality helps you get the transcription done in a few minutes. Powered by Google Speech, this tool offers an impressive level of accuracy when it comes to automated transcription. Leave that aside, Descript still can be used as a great way to deal with a different variety of manual transcription.
We love it how arranged Descript is when it comes to content. You have complete control over how an audio file is played and synced with the transcribed data. This would be useful in the long run, when you have to make edits. Descript also features some of the best collaboration and feedback options we’ve seen. When you work with a team, these features make sense.
Pros
- An Impressive UI
- Collaboration & Feedback options
- Support for Automatic Transcription
- Audio editing support & compatibility
Cons
- Lacks playback control
- Doesn’t support Foot-pedals
Who Is It For
Descript is the best option if you need a combination of manual and automated transcription on Mac. While the tool offers better options for transcription and audio editing, the pricing isn’t that great. You would have to spend 7 Cents per minute to get the full features — every second counts. But, that aside, Descript works great when it comes to transcript creation and management.
4. InqScribe
InqScribe actually brings the best of both worlds when it comes to transcription in Mac. It doesn’t have such a big, professional interface like Express Scribe, but it does not go as minimal as Descript either. The point is that you can do transcription in a seamless environment, without worrying about additional customization needs.
Easy controls are one of the best things we found in InqScribe, at any point of time. You can add a source of the audio and start the playback. On the right side of the window, there is an option for doing transcription as well. As said earlier, InqScribe does not boast any fancy features in here. On the other hand, it offers an environment for peaceful transcription.
Expert transcribers use InqScribe for transcribing movies. It allows you to add timestamps during the play-back so that you can reverse-navigate thereafter. It’s really easy to control the transcription process using custom-made keyboards. And, when you are done, InqScribe lets you export the transcription to a properly usable format as well.
Pros
- Simple UI
- Easy Playback and Control
Cons
- None
Who Is It For
We believe InqScribe is the best option for beginners and regulars alike. It works best when you want to get a distraction-free environment for transcription. Similarly, if you are looking for a simple transcription tool that doesn’t scare you with fancy features, InqScribe stays as a potential choice. You can download the free version but the full license costs $99.
5. Transcribe
Transcribe is not a dedicated transcription software for Mac. It’s rather an online transcription tool that does work with Mac very well. You can use the tool for transcribing audio as well as video, but it also supports an excellent feature of automated transcription and dictation. If you are too lazy to type, you can just say and Transcribe does its job very well.
It also lets you control the audio like – start, stop, slow down, fast forward etc, using the keyboard while you are typing.
Coming to manual transcription, however, Transcribe is perfect. The audio player and the text fields are so integrated that you will find maximum productivity. On the other hand, automated transcription ensures an impressive amount of accuracy in different languages as well. You can even connect your foot pedal to take control of the audio playback.
This would be the best choice if you don’t want to install anything on your computer. That having said, you will have to upload the video or audio that you have to transcribe. We would not recommend this if you’re someone who prefers working locally. On the bright side, though, Transcribe lets you load a YouTube video and get the job done.
Pros
Free Dragon Dictation Software Download
- Simple Interface
- Manual and Automated Transcription methods
- Intuitive editor
Cons
- You have to upload the content every time
Who Is It For
We believe, Transcribe is the best option for the on-the-go transcribers. Once you purchase the license, you can do the transcription at any point in time. It offers all the features we’ve seen in dedicated tools out there and we’d recommend it for almost anyone. The only downside is that you need to be connected to the Internet. The self-subscribe license of Transcribe costs $20.
Which is the Best Transcription Software for Mac?
Microsoft Dictation Software
Well, these are some of the best transcription software for Mac. As you have seen, all of these tools are paid; we tried some of the free tools but most of them were not effective per se. Now, coming to the options, we would recommend InqScribe or Descript if you are just getting started. On the other hand, for professional transcribers, it makes sense to spend some money and purchase something like Express Scribe or Transcribe. We would say Transcribe is the option if you need better mobility and on-the-go support. So, which do you think is the best one out on the list?