🔉 How to Convert Audio to Text - FREE & No Time Limits

Kevin Stratvert
27 May 202105:10

TLDRIn this tutorial, Kevin demonstrates how to convert audio to text using the Windows 10 dictation tool and a virtual audio cable from VB Audio Software. The process is free, supports all major languages, and has no time limits. After setting up the virtual audio cable, users can feed pre-recorded audio or video into the dictation tool to transcribe the audio into text. Although the tool may occasionally miss punctuation or words, the resulting transcript is highly readable and provides a convenient way to convert spoken content into written form. Kevin also encourages viewers to subscribe for more helpful content.

Takeaways

  • 🎧 Use the Windows 10 dictation tool to convert live audio into text.
  • 🔊 Press the Windows logo key and H to launch the dictation tool.
  • 🎤 The dictation tool transcribes spoken words into text when the microphone icon is clicked.
  • 🔄 For transcribing pre-recorded audio or video, a virtual audio cable is required.
  • 🌐 Download a virtual audio cable from VB Audio Software's website for free.
  • 🔌 Set up the virtual audio cable as both the input and output device in the sound settings.
  • 🔄 The virtual audio cable allows feeding any sound output into the dictation tool.
  • 📝 The transcribed text can be edited for punctuation and minor inaccuracies.
  • 📽️ The process can be used to transcribe video or podcast audio tracks.
  • 💻 The dictation tool works well for live speech but may require some manual correction for pre-recorded content.
  • 📋 Once transcribed, the text can be used as a transcript for further reference or editing.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the tool that comes with Windows 10 for converting audio to text?

    -The tool that comes with Windows 10 for converting audio to text is called the dictation tool.

  • How do you launch the dictation tool on Windows 10?

    -You can launch the dictation tool by pressing the Windows logo key on your keyboard together with the H key.

  • What is a virtual audio cable and how does it help in converting audio to text?

    -A virtual audio cable is a software tool that allows you to take the output from an audio source, like a video player or a podcast, and feed it into the dictation tool to convert the audio into text.

  • Which company provides a virtual audio cable that can be used for this purpose?

    -VB Audio Software provides a virtual audio cable that can be used for this purpose and it is available for free download.

  • How do you set up the virtual audio cable as an input device in Windows 10?

    -You go to Sound Settings, switch the output device to 'Cable Input', and then change the input device to 'Cable Output' so that the audio output from a media player is fed into the dictation tool as input.

  • What happens to the transcription when you stop the dictation tool?

    -When you stop the dictation tool, it ceases to transcribe the audio into text, and you can then review the transcribed text in the active text field.

  • What kind of audio files can you transcribe using the dictation tool and a virtual audio cable?

    -You can transcribe any type of audio file, including video files, podcasts, and pre-recorded audio files, using the dictation tool and a virtual audio cable.

  • What are some limitations of the dictation tool when transcribing audio to text?

    -The dictation tool might miss some punctuation and occasionally transcribe a few words incorrectly, but the transcribed text is generally readable and understandable.

  • How does the dictation tool handle real-time audio transcription?

    -The dictation tool works well with live audio, transcribing as you speak and providing the text result immediately.

  • What is the advantage of using the dictation tool for transcribing audio?

    -The dictation tool is free, works with all major languages, and there are no time limits on how long you can use it for transcribing audio to text.

  • Can you transcribe a YouTube video using the dictation tool?

    -Yes, you can transcribe a YouTube video by playing the video, opening the dictation tool, and then selecting an active text field to transcribe the audio into text.

  • How can you support the creator of the tutorial if you find it helpful?

    -If you find the tutorial helpful, you can support the creator by subscribing to their channel and enabling notifications for future videos.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Audio-to-Text Conversion

Kevin introduces the topic of converting audio into text using a free tool that comes with Windows 10, the dictation tool, and a virtual audio cable. He assures viewers that the process will be explained step by step and is applicable to all major languages without any time limits. The dictation tool is launched by pressing the Windows logo key and the H key, and it transcribes live audio into text when the microphone icon is clicked. However, for transcribing pre-recorded audio or video files, a virtual audio cable is necessary.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Audio to Text Conversion

Audio to text conversion is the process of turning spoken language from an audio file into written text. In the video, Kevin demonstrates how to use the Windows 10 dictation tool and a virtual audio cable to convert live speech or pre-recorded audio into a text transcript. This is useful for creating subtitles, transcripts for videos, or simply transcribing important information from audio files.

💡Dictation Tool

The dictation tool is a feature included with Windows 10 that allows users to speak and have their words transcribed into text. In the script, Kevin uses this tool by pressing the Windows logo key and the 'H' key simultaneously to launch it. The tool is activated by clicking the microphone icon and begins transcribing spoken words into text, which is essential for the audio to text conversion process shown in the video.

💡Virtual Audio Cable

A virtual audio cable is a software-based tool that routes audio from one application to another, even if they are not directly compatible. In the context of the video, Kevin uses a virtual audio cable from VB Audio Software to feed the audio from a video or podcast into the Windows dictation tool. This allows the conversion of pre-recorded audio into text, expanding the capabilities of the dictation tool beyond live speech.

💡Windows Logo Key

The Windows logo key is a key found on most computer keyboards that has the Windows logo on it. In the video, Kevin instructs viewers to use this key along with the 'H' key to launch the dictation tool on Windows 10. It is a shortcut key that provides quick access to certain Windows features, making the process of starting the dictation tool more efficient.

💡Live Audio

Live audio refers to real-time audio that is being spoken or played as it is being transcribed or recorded. In the script, Kevin mentions that the dictation tool works well with live audio, meaning it can transcribe speech as it happens, which is useful for creating immediate text versions of spoken content.

💡Pre-recorded Audio

Pre-recorded audio is audio that has been recorded in advance and is not being created in real-time. The video script discusses the use of a virtual audio cable to transcribe pre-recorded audio files, such as those from a video or podcast, into text. This is a key part of the process for converting audio to text when the audio is not being generated live.

💡Sound Settings

Sound settings are configurations within an operating system that control how audio is processed and outputted by the computer. In the video, Kevin guides the viewer through modifying sound settings to use the virtual audio cable as both an input and output device. This change is necessary to route the audio from a media player to the dictation tool for transcription.

💡Notepad

Notepad is a simple text-editing program included with Windows operating systems. In the script, Kevin uses Notepad as the active text field into which the transcribed text from the dictation tool is placed. It serves as a basic yet effective tool for capturing and viewing the transcribed text from the audio to text conversion process.

💡YouTuber

A YouTuber is an individual or entity that creates and shares video content on the YouTube platform. In the video, Kevin Stratvert is mentioned as a favorite YouTuber whose video content is used as an example for demonstrating the audio to text conversion process. The term illustrates the context of using the conversion technique with online video content.

💡Transcript

A transcript is a written version of spoken language, often used to represent dialogue or commentary from videos, podcasts, or other audio sources. In the video, the goal is to create a transcript of the spoken words from an audio or video file using the Windows dictation tool and a virtual audio cable. Transcripts are valuable for accessibility, searchability, and reference purposes.

💡VB Audio Software

VB Audio Software is a company that provides audio-related software solutions, including the virtual audio cable mentioned in the video. The virtual audio cable from this company is used to facilitate the audio to text conversion process by routing audio signals between applications. It is an essential tool in the demonstration provided by Kevin for converting audio files into text transcripts.

Highlights

Kevin demonstrates how to convert audio into text using Windows 10's built-in dictation tool and a virtual audio cable.

The process is free and has no time limits, making it accessible for all users.

The dictation tool can be launched by pressing the Windows logo key and the 'H' key simultaneously.

Live audio is transcribed in real-time as you speak into the microphone icon.

For transcribing pre-recorded audio or video files, a virtual audio cable is required.

VB Audio Software provides a free virtual audio cable that can be downloaded from their website.

The virtual audio cable allows the redirection of sound output from any source to the dictation tool.

Sound settings need to be adjusted to route the computer's output to the virtual audio cable input.

Once the audio is being fed into the dictation tool, it can be transcribed into text.

The transcription may miss some punctuation and words, but the result is generally readable.

The dictation tool can keep up with fast speech and transcribe it into a coherent transcript.

After transcription, sound settings can be reset to their default configurations.

The process is demonstrated using a YouTube video as an example of converting its audio track into text.

The dictation tool can be stopped at any time by clicking the microphone icon.

The transcription can be used for various purposes, such as creating subtitles or summaries of audio content.

The video provides a step-by-step guide for users to follow and successfully transcribe audio files.

The method works with all major languages supported by the Windows 10 dictation tool.

Users are encouraged to subscribe for more informative and helpful content like this in the future.