Transcription Guides and How-Tos

These guides walk through the real tasks people transcribe for: iPhone voice memos, YouTube and podcast audio, ChatGPT and Whisper, translating recordings, rescuing poor-quality audio, and fixing common tool problems. Each one is a practical, step-by-step walkthrough, and every guide opens with the short answer and a free transcription tool.

Start here

New to transcription? Begin with the core walkthrough on how to transcribe an audio recording, then branch into the device- or tool-specific guide you need. Every guide is written for a real workflow rather than a feature list.

  • Recording and devices: iPhone voice memos, locked-screen recording, and starting a recording on any device.
  • Tools and troubleshooting: ChatGPT, Whisper, Adobe Premiere Pro, Google Translate, and Otter AI.
  • Harder audio and languages: poor-quality recordings, song lyrics, and translating German audio to English.

Browse all guides

The full list is below. Pick the one that matches your task — each opens with the short answer, then the detailed steps.

Core how-to
How to Transcribe an Audio Recording
The core step-by-step workflow, from upload to a clean, exported transcript.
Jul 2026
How-to
How to Transcribe an iPhone Voice Memo
Turn Voice Memos recordings into text on iPhone, Mac, or the web.
Jul 2026
Troubleshooting
Will Voice Memos Keep Recording When an iPhone Is Locked?
What actually happens to a recording when your screen locks.
Jul 2026
How-to
How to Start an Audio Recording on Any Device
The fastest way to begin recording on phone, tablet, and computer.
Jul 2026
How-to
How to Transcribe Poor-Quality Audio
Rescue noisy, quiet, or muffled recordings before and after transcription.
Jul 2026
How-to
How to Translate German Audio into English Text
Transcribe first, then translate — and what to double-check.
Jul 2026
How-to
How to Transcribe Song Lyrics from a Recording
Get lyrics from audio, and where automatic tools struggle.
Jul 2026
Explainer
Is It Legal to Transcribe and Publish a YouTube Video?
The copyright basics before you post someone else’s transcript.
Jul 2026
Explainer
Can ChatGPT Transcribe Audio?
What ChatGPT can and cannot do with an audio file.
Jul 2026
Troubleshooting
Why ChatGPT Cannot Transcribe Your Audio File
Common reasons ChatGPT transcription fails, and the fixes.
Jul 2026
Technical
How to Make Whisper Transcription Faster
Speed up OpenAI Whisper without wrecking accuracy.
Jul 2026
How-to
How to Use Speech to Text in Adobe Premiere Pro
Generate captions and transcripts inside Premiere Pro.
Jul 2026
Troubleshooting
How to Fix the Google Translate Microphone
Restore microphone access when Google Translate voice input stops.
Jul 2026
Troubleshooting
How to Stop Otter AI from Joining Meetings
Block the Otter notetaker in Zoom, Meet, and Teams.
Jul 2026
Troubleshooting
How to Fix Otter AI When It Is Slow or Unresponsive
Troubleshooting steps when Otter lags or won’t load.
Jul 2026
Workflow
How to Add Podcast Transcripts and Quotes to Readwise
Get podcast transcripts into Readwise for highlights and review.
Jul 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account to follow these guides?

No. You can transcribe your first 5 minutes free without an account; create one if you want to keep, export, or revisit transcripts.

Which guide should I read first?

Start with "How to Transcribe an Audio Recording" for the core workflow, then move to the device- or tool-specific guide you need.

Do these guides cover free tools too?

Yes. Several guides cover ChatGPT, Whisper, and free device features, and explain where each one works well and where it falls short.

Related resources

Reviewed by the TranscribeThis product team · Last updated: July 2026