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This is a TRANSCRIPTION provider. It converts your speech to text. For AI enhancement like grammar correction, see AI Enhancement Providers.

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Overview

OpenAI Whisper API is the official cloud transcription service from OpenAI. It provides high-quality speech-to-text using the same Whisper model architecture that powers WhisperKit, but processed on OpenAI’s servers. Key Benefits:
  • High accuracy across 100+ languages
  • Automatic language detection
  • Official OpenAI support and reliability
  • Works on any Mac (no Apple Silicon required)

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Setup Instructions

1

Create OpenAI Account

Visit platform.openai.com and sign up or log in
2

Add Payment Method

Go to Settings → Billing → Add a payment method
OpenAI requires a payment method. Whisper API costs ~$0.006 per minute of audio.
3

Generate API Key

Go to API Keys → Create new secret key → Copy the key immediately
API keys are shown only once. Store it securely before continuing.
4

Add to Stenox

Open Stenox Settings → Providers tab → OpenAI → Paste your API key
5

Select as Transcription Provider

In your Profile settings, set Transcription Provider to OpenAI Whisper

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Pricing

OpenAI Whisper API is pay-per-use:
For cost-effective cloud transcription, consider Groq Whisper (free tier) or DeepGram ($200 free credits).

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Language Support

OpenAI Whisper supports 100+ languages:
  • European: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian
  • Asian: Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian
  • Middle Eastern: Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Persian
  • And many more…
Configure your preferred language in Profile settings, or use auto-detection.

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When to Use OpenAI Whisper

OpenAI Ecosystem

Already using OpenAI for other services (GPT-4, DALL-E, etc.)

Multi-language

Need high-quality transcription across multiple languages

Intel Mac

Running on Intel Mac where WhisperKit is slower

Official Support

Want the reliability of official OpenAI infrastructure

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When to Consider Alternatives

  • Budget-conscious: Groq Whisper offers free tier
  • Maximum privacy: WhisperKit runs locally
  • Maximum accuracy: DeepGram Nova-3 often outperforms

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Troubleshooting

  • Verify you copied the complete key
  • Check the key is active in OpenAI dashboard
  • Ensure billing is set up (required even for new accounts)
  • OpenAI has usage limits based on account tier
  • Wait a few minutes or upgrade your account tier
  • Consider using Groq Whisper as a fallback
  • Set specific language in Profile settings instead of auto-detect
  • Ensure you’re speaking clearly in the expected language

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Next Steps

Add AI Enhancement

Use Gemini with your own API key for cloud text enhancement.

Create Profiles

Use OpenAI Whisper transcription for specific contexts.