Any successful steno transcription, practice or otherwise, starts with being able to understand what is said. If it's an in-person situation, that means sitting close enough to the speakers to hear and see them clearly. If it's a recording, important factors are the quality of the audio file itself and also to isolate what you're trying to transcribe from outside noise or distractions.
One of the first investments I made as a new reporter -- after a writer and laptop -- was a pair of high-quality, noise-canceling Bose headphones. When it comes time to replace them, I want the newest wireless version
here, but the QC 15s have been going strong with pretty much daily use since ~2011! The over-the-ear style is comfortable and great for tuning out noise right next to you and/or going on in the other room. In addition to amazing sound quality, I noticed with these I was able to hear things that I missed with regular earbuds, like when witnesses trailed off or said something under their breath. Bose has amazing quality products, customer service, and warranty department, so what are you waiting for?
Well, then, without further ado, here are more sources for free steno drills and dictation found since my last post on the subject, now that we've gotten the audio quality thing sorted out:
• Actual Business Letters Dictated at Various Speeds Ranges from 90-110 wpm. Click on the links underneath "VBR MP3" to download the individual files. Challenging stuff!
• 12th Week's Practice Podcast Excellent recordings and some good advice as well. I like the 70/30 rule that Candis Bradshaw recommends on page 1. Most files are labeled from 90 wpm to 200 wpm.
• Machine Speed Shorthand - Sydney Institute More good stuff with the added challenge of writing through Australian accents. Or here's
another link to the same files, I think, hosted on iTunes. 70 wpm to 180 wpm.
• Court's Podcast Several months worth of steno drills and dictation!
• Shorthand - NCTJ 60 wpm through 120 wpm. More good practice with accents. See right side of page for audios and pdf transcripts.
• Teeline Shorthand Online Dictation One free sample/example shorthand lesson with some dictations.
• Shorthand Shorthand Shorthand Audio files range from 60 wpm to 140 wpm and are available at the bottom of the page. The current audio is about insurance, and the site says it's updated monthly.
• Victation's Podcast Located on iTunes. Five files at 60 and 80 wpm only.
Want more free dictation? Click
here,
here, and
here to see the rest of my free court reporting dictation list.
