Transcribe my Media – independent HUMAN-POWERED transcription service
Fast, accurate, and confidential transcription and copy typing services from Ben Gamblin, a business services professional with over 18 years of experience. Eliminate the agencies, work direct, and reduce your costs with rates which are very affordable without compromising on quality!
While other providers may offer transcriptions based off AI-generated starting documents, and services exist that can quickly provide a machine-generated document for download, BGPS Transcribe My Media remains an AI free service to ensure accuracy and privacy while maintaining a fast return.
Transcription Reviews Summary
Recording Tips for Better Transcriptions
The quality of your transcription is directly related to the quality of your audio. Don’t leave it to chance – follow these top tips to help you get the best recording, and in turn the best transcribed document!
General Transcription Rates
Intelligent
Per media minute*
The most popular transcription grade. Excludes obvious mistakes, false starts, stutters, filler words, extraneous sounds etc. Results in a clean, easy to read document ideal for most situations.
Semi-Verbatim
per media minute*
As “Verbatim” but excludes filler words. A good middle ground when you need to capture speaker errors such as false starts but the greater detail offered in the next grade is not needed.
Verbatim
per media minute*
The most detailed transcription, capturing mistakes, false starts, filler words, relevant extraneous sounds etc. The best choice for legal transcriptions such as interviews under caution.
* Minimum charge of 15 minutes.
Focus Group Transcription Rates
Per media minute*
The most popular transcription grade. Excludes obvious mistakes, false starts, stutters, filler words, extraneous sounds etc. Results in a clean, easy to read document ideal for most situations.
per media minute*
As “Verbatim” but excludes filler words. A good middle ground when you need to capture speaker errors such as false starts but the greater detail offered in the next grade is not needed.
per media minute*
The most detailed transcription, capturing mistakes, false starts, filler words, relevant extraneous sounds etc. The best choice for legal transcriptions such as interviews under caution.
* Maximum of ten speakers. For each additional speaker, add 2p per media minute. Minimum charge of 15 minutes.
Extras
Timestamping
(HH:MM:SS)
Fixed price per transcript
Timestamping added at every sixty second interval or at speaker change (whichever occurs first).
For timestamping at greater intervals, add an additional £1.00 per transcript.
Timestamping
(HH:MM:SS.t)
fixed price per transcript
Timestamping added at every sixty second interval or at speaker change (whichever occurs first).
For timestamping at greater intervals, add an additional £2.00 per transcript.
Client-Supplied Template
fixed price per transcript
Transcribe to the document provided by you (MS Word “docx” format), instead of the standard BGPS template.
Proofreading (Document Checking)
Intelligent
per media minute
+5p for AI transcripts
Review an existing transcription against the audio or video file, checking for accuracy/formatting and making corrections to an Intelligent grade (see “transcription rates” for details).
Perfect for tidying up and correcting mistakes in machine-generated (AI) transcripts, or those done by another transcriber.
Semi-Verbatim
per media minute
+5p for AI transcripts
Review an existing transcription against the audio or video file, checking for accuracy/formatting and making corrections to a Semi-Verbatim grade (see “transcription rates” for details).
Perfect for tidying up and correcting mistakes in machine-generated (AI) transcripts, or those done by another transcriber.
Verbatim
per media minute
+5p for AI transcripts
Review an existing transcription against the audio or video file, checking for accuracy/formatting and making corrections to a Verbatim grade (see “transcription rates” for details).
Perfect for tidying up and correcting mistakes in machine-generated (AI) transcripts, or those done by another transcriber.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you use automation or artificial intelligence (AI)?
No, all transcriptions are conducted manually.
Automated transcriptions certainly have their uses, but results can be variable particularly with audio that is less than perfect or with an increasing numbers of speakers. Therefore, a machine-generated document would still require proofing, corrections, and adjustments to meet the required transcription grade, as well as formatting changes to adhere to the template in use.
Given a lot of attention is required on checking automated transcripts, I don’t consider employing the use of AI to be worthwhile for the service I provide compared to manually working through an audio file, where accuracy, detail, and format is important.
Having said that, if you have a machine-generated transcription that you would like proofread, corrected, and formatted, I am happy to provide that service.
Can you work with audio cassettes, minidiscs, or video tapes?
Due to a lack of demand, I currently cannot process any physical media with the exception of compact discs. However, if there is enough interest in the dubbing and transcribing of minidiscs, cassette tapes, or any other physical media then it may be a service offered in the future. Do send a message expressing an interest.
Media will be returned using Royal Mail Special Delivery postage. Clients are responsible for the method and cost of sending media to me.
Do you offer discounts for students or large volume projects?
Any discounts currently generally available will be shown on the Discounts page. It may be possible to offer a custom rate for very large volume projects, though standard prices are already very low. Please get in touch with your requirements.
Do you retain any information or data relating to a transcription project?
Audio/video and any resulting transcribed documents are not retained on BGPS systems for any longer than 48 hours after the completion of a project, unless otherwise requested and agreed.
Project metadata (that is, information about a transcription project) is retained. This data describes what the project was in broad terms (for example, “a television interview delivered as a digital video file”) and my work on that project (such as start and end times for a working session and how much audio was transcribed within it). This data allows me to calculate the average number of audio minutes transcribed in a working hour and in turn, allows me to better estimate how long similar projects might take and whether I have capacity for more work.
Some client information also needs to be retained as part of financial record-keeping, including name, contact details, and invoices. This will only be retained for the legally mandated minimum period.
Data retained:
Client Name, Project Title, Transcription Grade, Media Type, Timestamp (yes/no), Tracking (yes/no), Count of Speakers, Cost per Minute Charged, Date Awarded, Deadline Date, Completed Date, Audio Start/End Times, Working Session Start/End Times, Document Word Count at Session End, Clarity Information.
Information Calculated:
Media Duration, Total Cost, Length of Media Transcribed So Far, Total Working Time, Audio Minutes Transcribed per Working Hour, Estimated Working Time Remaining, Equivalent Cost per Hour, Words Typed per Minute (project overall), Session Length, Audio Transcribed in Session, Words Typed in Session, Percent Completed in Session, Transcription Rate, Words Typed per Minute (session).
How do I securely transfer audio/video files to you?
Although many clients are happy transferring media via email, this is insecure are clients are strongly advised against it. Instead, I recommend the use of file sharing services such as pCloud. Dropbox, Onedrive, iCloud etc. are also options that clients may have available.
I use pCloud as my chosen service provider, and as part of the process of working with you, I will establish a shared folder for delivering transcripts to you. This folder can also be set to accept uploads. If you want to use this option, you will need to sign up for a free pCloud account. Then, using the link and password I provide, you will be able to send your files to me. I will download your media from the shared folder and then immediately remove it.
How do you maintain confidentiality?
Confidentiality of work is taken very seriously. Whilst a project is underway, I store media on a machine used solely for the purpose and that is not accessible to any other person. Work is conducted in an office environment where the screen cannot be seen by other people, and headphones are used to ensure the audio cannot be overheard. No third party is privy to your media or the transcribed document, except where required to disclose by UK law.
When a job is concluded, I will retain media for 24-48 hours unless otherwise requested. After this time, audio/video files and the completed transcription will be deleted.
I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ZA035992) under the Data Protection Act.
Will you sign a non-disclosure agreement?
In principle, yes. A standard BGPS non-disclosure agreement is available which can be signed and held on file by both parties. Client generated NDAs may also be accepted, subject to the terms of the document.
Client NDAs should be provided in an editable Microsoft Word format. The document will be digitally signed and returned as a read-only PDF. BGPS operates a paperless office, and as such documents cannot be printed. If you require a hardcopy NDA or if your file is not editable, you will need to send it via post enclosing a prepaid return envelope.
Signed NDAs will be held on file electronically.
Who are you?
I am Ben Gamblin, formerly from Essex, and now living and working in Warwickshire as an independent business services professional.
Before choosing to become self-employed in 2012, I worked at Essex County Council for seven years in a business support team providing excellent and reliable back-office and administrative services to various departments including Trading Standards and Highways. Prior to that, I worked through an agency providing similar services on a temporary basis.
All in all, I have over eight years of employed experience in business services in addition to the time spent working as a sole trader since 2012.
What is your experience?
I spent over eight years working for Essex County Council providing business services. As part of that job, in addition to the general handling of confidential data and minuting sensitive meetings, I was required to conduct the transcription of various interviews under caution (PACE) for Trading Standards.
More recently, I have provided freelance services to various clients transcribing audio and video files including inter-governmental meetings, television documentary interviews, academic research interviews, internal company meetings, general dictation, focus groups and telephone interviews.
How do you maintain such low rates compared to other transcription companies?
Unlike other transcription organisations, I am a sole trader and do not currently employ the use of a team of transcribers. Whenever you request a commission through BGPS/Transcribe My Media, you will be working directly with me. By avoiding the need to pay a staff, I can keep costs down and pass on the savings.
I am a transcriber. Can I work for you through this site?
At present BGPS/Transcribe My Media is not operating as a transcription company, organisation, or collective. Rather it is the trading name for my sole trading/freelancing activities. Therefore I am not currently looking to expand by recruiting a team of transcribers, but thank you for your interest.