The accuracy of audio transcripts depend in large part on the quality of the audio recordings. Some common challenges we see with digital recordings when you are recording meetings are as follows:

1. Noisy environments with background sounds.
Of course, the obvious solution is to move the meeting elsewhere. A very public and loud place isn’t the ideal location for meetings anyway. However, if that is not an option, then consider reducing the background noise with the use of high quality microphones like Behringer C1-U. Other option is to digitally enhance the recording by use of computer software to minimize the noise and amplify weak audio levels

2. Several people speaking at the same time.
Consider switching from using a single digital recorders to one that is computer based. This allows you to setup multiple microphones. When placed strategically, it can save the conversation from different channels (mics) into separate audio files.

3. Never Use Voice Activate mode.
To conserve recording capacity, most audio recorders have a “record when voice is present” (voice activated mode). While this does produce recordings that contain less dead air, it also has the unfortunate side effect of having ‘missing’ words.

4. Billingual Speakers
Be conscious of bilingual speakers that drift from English to another language. Chairpersons would be wise to restate the speakers’ non english comments into english and confirm its correctness.

5. Some unusual sources of noise include shuffling papers, coffee cups, dinner plates and cellphones.
Eliminate or minimize the impact of these source by banning them altogether, or if this is not an option, placing the microphones away from such sources.

Check out related topic on how to create minutes of meeting.

We provide audio recording facilities for conferences and meetings using our multi-channel digital system. Email marketing[at]futuregen.sg for details.

APACTechForum is organizing the Conference on Cloud Computing and Virtualisation on Nov 25 and 26th at the Suntec Convention Center in Singapore.

Key speakers include Mr Stefan Groschupf, founder of Katta, the open source Lucene index project, Mr Manish Pratap, HP, Mr Omar Asad, CTO, Riverbed Technologies, Mr Satish Murthy, NetAPP, Mr David Loke, ReadySpace and a host of other key speakers.

Interested parties can visit the cloud computing conference site.

Futuregen is attending this event organized by the Singapore Computer Society on “The Demystification of Digital Media”, friday, November 6, 2009 from 6:30 to 8pm at the SCS Resource Center.