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Transcribe Files

Stenox can transcribe audio and video files — not just live dictation. Perfect for meetings, interviews, podcasts, or any recorded content.
File transcription uses your configured transcription provider. For best results with long files, use a cloud provider like DeepGram or Groq.

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Supported Formats

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Audio Files

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Video Files

For video files, Stenox extracts and transcribes the audio track only.

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How to Transcribe a File

1

Open Stenox

Click the Stenox menu bar icon
2

Select Transcribe File

Click Transcribe File in the dropdown menu
3

Choose Your File

Select an audio or video file from Finder
4

Wait for Processing

Stenox will transcribe and optionally enhance the text
5

Review Results

The transcription appears in the Stenox window. Copy or save as needed.

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Provider Considerations

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For Short Files (< 5 minutes)

Any provider works well:
  • WhisperKit — Local, private
  • Groq Whisper — Fast, free tier
  • DeepGram — Accurate

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For Long Files (> 5 minutes)

Cloud providers recommended:
  • DeepGram — Best for long-form content
  • Groq Whisper — Fast processing
  • AssemblyAI — Good for meetings
WhisperKit can handle long files but processing time increases significantly. For a 30-minute file, expect 10-15 minutes of processing time locally.

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Tips for Best Results

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Audio Quality

  • Use the highest quality recording available
  • Clear audio with minimal background noise transcribes best
  • Multiple speakers work best with DeepGram or AssemblyAI

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File Size

  • Smaller file sizes upload and process faster
  • Consider compressing large files before transcription
  • MP3 is a good balance of quality and size

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Language

  • Set the correct language in your Profile settings
  • Use multilingual models for non-English content
  • Auto-detect works but explicit setting is more accurate

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AI Enhancement

File transcriptions can be enhanced just like live dictation:
  • Grammar correction — Fix spoken language patterns
  • Punctuation — Add proper punctuation
  • Formatting — Clean up for readability
For meeting transcripts, use a custom prompt like: “Format as meeting notes with bullet points for action items.”

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Usage Limits

File transcription counts against your plan limits:
Using BYOK providers bypasses Stenox limits. Only your provider’s limits apply.

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Troubleshooting

  • Use a cloud provider for faster processing
  • Switch from WhisperKit to Groq or DeepGram
  • For local processing, use base.en instead of small.en
Convert your file to a supported format:
  • Use QuickTime (File → Export As) for video
  • Use online converters for audio
  • MP3 and MP4 are widely compatible
  • Check audio quality in the original file
  • Try a different provider (DeepGram often works best)
  • Set explicit language instead of auto-detect
  • Add technical terms to Vocabulary
  • Compress the file before transcribing
  • Split into smaller segments
  • Use cloud providers for large files

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Next Steps

BYOK Setup

Configure cloud providers for file transcription.

Vocabulary

Add terms for better accuracy.