AI transcription quality is shaped by the microphone, room noise, file format, speaker overlap, and the first few seconds of recording.
Leave two or three seconds at the start
If speech starts immediately after pressing record, the first phrase can be captured while the device is still stabilizing input.
Wait until the recording indicator or waveform is active before starting important content.
Control microphone distance
A microphone that is too far away can blur terms. A microphone that is too close can overemphasize plosive sounds.
For phone recordings, 30-60 cm from the speaker is usually a useful starting point.
Reduce noise and echo
Cafes, large halls, and rooms with heavy echo can reduce recognition of acronyms and proper nouns.
Avoid letting speaker output feed back into the recording microphone.
Use common file formats
MP3, M4A, and WAV are generally reliable. Damaged files or extremely low bitrates can affect both duration detection and transcription.
Long files can be split by meeting or sermon section to make review and retry easier.
Checklist
- ✓Start speaking after a short pause
- ✓Check microphone distance and input level
- ✓Reduce echo and speaker feedback
- ✓Split long files by meaningful sections
- ✓Add important terms to the glossary
FAQ
Can poor audio be fixed after recording?
Some noise removal can help, but the original quality still limits the result.
Can missing starts be completely prevented?
Logic can reduce the risk, but if the source file itself starts late or is damaged, there are limits.