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Is a dictaphone the right product for you?

At Pacific Transcription, we often receive questions asking why someone should purchase a dictaphone.  While dictaphones are more expensive than other voice recorders, they may be a beneficial investment for you.

What is a dictaphone anyway?

A dictaphone is a high-performing voice recorder designed for use by busy professionals. With a dictaphone, you are able to stop and restart a recording without creating a new file. You can also review, insert additional, and erase unnecessary recordings.

Features of a dictaphone:

• Files can be encrypted to increase the security of sensitive information.
• A large battery life, so they can record 10-30 hours of audio before running out of charge.
• Can be used for dictation or to record meetings, by setting the microphone to Conference Mode.
• Unidirectional microphone to reduce background noise.
• Dictaphones also create small file sizes which are small enough to send via email (specialised software is required for playback). Settings can be adjusted to create files that can be listened to on most playback software.

Do I need a dictaphone?

Dictaphones are most often purchased by doctors, lawyers and other professionals who create voice recordings of letters. Generally, these are to be transcribed into text format by a secretary or sent to a transcription service provider. You can also use speech recognition software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, to automatically produce transcripts of your dictations. The editing feature of a dictaphone is useful if you are planning on getting your audio transcribed as it cuts out additional work for your typist.

Some other people who may be interested in purchasing a dictaphone include:

• Authors who want to create the next great novel but don’t have the time to sit down to write their masterpiece.
• Anyone who may wish to record meetings, interviews, lectures and conferences.
• Academics who want to quickly make notes when conducting research.
• People completing on-site reports including real estate agents and town planners.

Ask yourself a few questions before deciding if a dictaphone is the right product for you.

How often will I use my dictaphone?

Dictaphones are not cheap. So, if you only plan on using them on a rare occasion they may not be worth the investment. If you want the additional features of a dictaphone but are not willing to spend big bucks, cheaper alternatives are available.

Will I experience interruptions during recording sessions?

The editing feature of a dictaphone is very useful if you experience regular interruptions. They allow you to stop and start your recordings without creating new files. You will also be able to remove unnecessary parts and add additional notes to what you have already recorded. If you plan on recording on continuous audio, a note taker may be a better option.

What will I be doing with these recordings?

Most people who use dictaphones get the recordings transcribed into text. These devices are specifically designed for this purpose. Dictaphones also have speakers built into the device so you can playback directly from the device.

If you need more help deciding which device is best for you, contact the Products team at Pacific Transcription.

If you would like to learn more about our transcription services please feel free to call us on 1300 662 173, email us at enquiries@pacifictranscription.com.au or fill out our contact form. We are always happy to answer any questions and will be in touch with you shortly.

Updated 28/09/2022