Sometimes I need to listen to a vocal message (or transcribe an entire podcast) but I can't do it because I'm busy with a client or I'm doing some work that involves hearing (a Google Hangout call, i.e., or watching a Youtube tutorial).
In all these cases the goal would be to be able to transcribe the audio on the fly and reading it instead of listening it.
You know, there are several excellent apps and online/desktop/mobile tools to get a speech recognition, but as I always said I'm lazy, my time is precious and my money too.
So I contrived a plan: be able to do it gratis and in a few, simply clicks. The walkthrough is pretty straightforward, don't be scared.
Requirements:
A Linux machine (I'm pretty sure a Windows user can do it in his machine, too. Same for an iOS user, but unfortunately I exclusively use Linux and can't help you, sorry)
A Google Drive account (come on guys, it's free... or maybe you are interested on a 20% DISCOUNT ON G SUITE WE CAN OFFER TO YOU AS GOOGLE PARTNERS IN REFERRAL CAMPAIGN... click here to know more)
A PulseAudio sound server (if you are on a Linux distro, 99% it's already preinstalled): you'll be able to install it here.
Here's my workflow:
1) open a new Google Docs document (as I'm lazy I'll do it with a click with the superb Google Docs Quick Create Chrome extension).
2) open a terminal or a command launcher (Alt-F2 or Start+R on most Linux systems) and start Pulse Audio Controls with
$ pavucontrol
3) go to "Input devices" and select Show > Monitors
4) now open your doc (I suggest to you to resize browser window to fill half of the page) and prepare Voice Typing instrument from Tools menu; remember to select your language.
4) switch to "Recording" tab on PulseAudio window, then go back to your doc and press "REC", then return to PulseAudio window and select from dropdown menu "Monitor of Internal Audio Analog Stereo". Stop recording if needed.
6) If the message you have received is a Telegram or Whatsapp voice message you can use one of this links to open it in your browser:
https://web.telegram.org
https://web.whatsapp.com
In my example I've used our great Marco Montemagno's interview with Tony Robbins.
7) play your message/audio/whatever and click "record" on the big mic button (that will turn into a pulsing red one).
8) Enjoy your cool transcription.
HIH
