If you do not require that each separate speaker be identified by name, we will identify each speaker as "Male" or "Female." If there are speakers of only one gender, we can just identify each by the designation "Male," or however else you wish them to be identified.

We don't charge more for these types of transcripts, because it is the name identification process that slows our transcriptionists down. There is more of a possibility of voice overlap with multiple-speaker transcripts, for which competing transcription companies may well charge you - we don't. Just be aware that we may not be able to capture everything that is being said where voices overlap.

Certainly, the voice of two people can easily be distinguished. But once more people are involved, the name identification process becomes trickier. Where our clients want multiple speakers identified by name (or even number), we require a videotape or DVD so that we can observe and distinguish between different speakers.

Voice identification is a more cumbersome process than producing one- or two-person transcripts, or producing a multi-voice transcript where name identification is not required. This accounts for slightly higher rates. Happily for our clients, we do not charge more where separate voice I.D. is not required (something no other transcription company we are aware of does).

Extensive Voice Overlap: Extensive voice overlap in multiple speaker recordings can result in a higher transcription rate, because it is very difficult for a transcriptionist to pick out what each person is saying. If this occurs, however, we will call you immediately to advise you of the problem and to seek permission to continue with the transcription, given the higher rate.

Time codes track every single frame of film and synchronize it to the audio. In the absence of time-coded transcripts, producers and editors spend agonizing chunks of time searching for specific sound bites (and sometimes pulling their hair out). It ain't pretty. The process can be likened to searching for needles in haystacks.

Time-coded transcripts save countless hours in post-production.

Here's what a time-coded transcript might look like:

Jack 02:11:16:09       Jill, why are you wasting your time going up the hill to fetch a pail of water? Jill 02:11:39:03       Because I ran out of Evian!

We have special software that accepts any digital media supported by QuickTime and that allows Master Transcription to generate and send to you a transcript with time codes hyperlinked to video. Here is a pictorial illustration:

The process is a simple one. Those of our clients who wish to receive transcripts with time codes hyperlinked to video need only purchase a license for the software in the amount of $69.00. Contact us for more details.

Here, you already have some written material that you merely wish to have proofread. (If we're already transcribing a recording and you desire that it be edited along the way, see "Edited Transcripts.") If we can download the document, the proofreading can be done directly on the computer. If you originally provided us with a hard copy (handwritten or typed) and wish us to type the newly-proofread document, we'll charge separately, by the hour, for time spent proofreading and typing.

Basic proofreading does for our clients what edited transcripts do: we clean up and tighten language and correct faulty grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation.

An index is useful where a client wants to refer easily to those points in the transcript where a certain name, term or subject matter appears. The index will indicate the page or time code number at which the term, etc., appears. An index could be useful in the case of a lengthy transcript.

Tables of Contents are useful, and sometimes necessary, for book manuscripts or several days' worth of conference speeches.