How long does AI transcription take?
Short answer
AI transcription usually turns an hour of audio into text in a few minutes. Typing it yourself takes about four to six hours, and human services usually take a day or more. Length and upload speed affect the wait, so uploading just the audio is faster than a large video.
Typing up a recording by hand takes about four to six hours for every hour of audio, more if several people talk at once. A human transcription service usually returns it in a day or more. AI transcription is in a different category: an hour of audio is typically ready in minutes.
Here's what actually determines how long you wait, and what you can do to get your transcript sooner.
Typical turnaround, compared
| Method | Time for 1 hour of audio |
|---|---|
| Typing it yourself | About 4–6 hours of work |
| Human transcription service | Usually 1 day to several days (faster costs more) |
| AI transcription (Dolcenota) | Usually a few minutes |
What affects the wait
- Length: longer recordings take longer, though not in proportion. Up to 4 hours fits in one recording.
- Upload speed: a large video file on a slow connection can take longer to upload than to transcribe. Uploading just the audio is faster.
- Extras: after the transcript, the summary, speaker names and punctuation polish are added; the transcript itself comes first.
- Several files at once: combining files adds a short preparation step before transcription starts.
How to get your transcript sooner
- Upload the audio rather than a long video when you can.
- Use a stable connection (Wi-Fi) for large files.
- Don't re-upload while a file is processing; the transcript appears in your list automatically.
Speed vs. accuracy
Fast doesn't mean careless, but no transcription is perfect, human or AI. Clear audio, a microphone close to the speakers and little crosstalk matter more for accuracy than speed does. For anything you'll quote or file, check names and numbers against the audio; every line of the transcript has a timestamp to find them quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to transcribe a 1-hour recording?
Usually a few minutes once the file has uploaded.
Does it transcribe in real time while I record?
No. Dolcenota transcribes after you stop recording or upload a file; the text arrives a few minutes later.
Why is my transcript taking longer than usual?
Large uploads on a slow connection, very long recordings or several files combined can add time. If a transcription ever fails, you're notified and the reserved minutes are returned.
What's the longest recording I can transcribe?
Up to 4 hours per recording, and 2 GB per file.
Is it accurate?
Very accurate with clear audio. Review names, numbers and moments where people talk over each other.
See how fast it is
Upload a recording and get the transcript, a summary and answers in minutes. Free to start.
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