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Topic: Foot Pedal & Software for Audio Transcription (Read 2350 times) previous topic - next topic
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Foot Pedal & Software for Audio Transcription

I record a lot of interviews, and I sometimes need to transcribe them.  My work would be much easier if I could start and stop the audio using a foot pedal so I can keep both hands free for typing. (I'm also a musician, and I'm sure I'd be able to make good use of the same set-up for transcribing music.)

Anyway, I have done a bit of research into products that are available, but it has left me seriously confused about what to get. 

The interview audio files are in WAV format. I can easily create mp3s.  On my computer I already have various programs that will play audio files: iTunes, Windows Media Player, VLC Media Player, Hindenburg Journalist, Audacity, Sonar Home Studio 6, and iZotope RX2.  I also have good quality headphones.  It seems to me that all I need is a foot pedal that will communicate with at least one of the above mentioned media players.  Right?

Is there such a thing?  Does anyone have suggestions of a pedal/software combination that works well?

I'd like to the keep the cost down but, if necessary, I'm even willing to invest in a separate, stand-alone audio machine that has a foot pedal.

(I'm working on a pc, but I also have a MacBook Pro that I could use if the Mac has additional options).

Foot Pedal & Software for Audio Transcription

Reply #1
Oh, we have at work one such combination, foot pedal with "driver" which works as a plugin for Winamp. But I don't know the manufacturer, could be this:
http://www.vpedal.com/
So, try searching there.
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Foot Pedal & Software for Audio Transcription

Reply #2
I'm fairly sure that something like this http://www.amazon.com/USB-Foot-Switch-Keyb...l/dp/B008MU0TBU should work just fine.

Most of these cheap PC foot pedals function as keyboard inputs and come with drivers that let you remap which button it sends. Remap it to the "play/pause" button in your favorite player, and you should be all set! :-)

Heck, you could even just plug in a separate USB keyboard, place it on the floor and hit the space bar with your toes, for a budget solution. Most people have an extra keyboard or two kicking around somewhere.