NCH Software

Express Scribe
Transcription Playback
This user guide has been created for use with
Express Scribe Version 5.xx.

NCH Software

Online Resources
Express Scribe Home Page www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html
Express Scribe FAQ (frequently asked questions) - www.nch.com.au/scribe/
faq.html
Foot Pedal Installation Guide - www.nch.com.au/hardware/setup/pedals.html
Technical Support
If you have difficulties using Express Scribe please read the applicable topic
before requesting support. If your problem is not covered in this user guide
please view the Express Scribe online Technical Support at www.nch.com.
au/scribe/support.html. If that does not solve your problem you can contact
us using the technical support contact link on that page.
Software Suggestions
If you have any suggestions for improvements to Express Scribe or
suggestions for other audio software that you might need please contact our
programmers using our Software Suggestions and Feedback web page at
www.nch.com.au/suggestions/index.html.

Express Scribe Transcription Playback Software

NCH Software
www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html

Express Scribe Contents

About Express Scribe

Common Tasks

Tips for Using Express Scribe

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

10

Loading Files from a CD

12

Floating Windows

13

Scribe Mini

14

Working with Word Processors

15

Attachments

17

Bookmarks

18

Dictation Information

19

Forward Dictation

20

Transfer from Portable Handheld Recorders - Dock

23

Special Audio Processes

28

Advanced Email Settings

30

Recover Old Dictation(s)

32

Find a Dictation

33

Software Development Kit

34

Hand-Held and Foot Pedal Controllers

Controllers ~ Overview

35

Controllers ~ Compatible Controllers

37

Options

40

Options ~ Playback

41

Options ~ Controller

43

Options ~ System-Wide Hot-Keys

47

Options ~ Incoming

47

Options ~ Incoming ~ Incoming Source Properties

50

Options ~ File Types

54

Options ~ Speech to Text

55

Options ~ Disk Usage

57

Options ~ Display

58

Options ~ Other

59

Software License Terms

60

About Express Scribe

Express Scribe is professional audio playback control software designed
to assist the transcription of audio recordings. It is installed on the typists
computer and can be controlled using the keyboard (Hot Keys) or foot
pedals.
Express Scribe can be used to play and transcribe ordinary wav or mp3
recordings and includes its own Dock feature to transfer recordings directly
from portable recorders. Express Scribe was developed for use with Express
Dictate (www.nch.com.au/express/index.html), the computer based recorder
(like a dictaphone) and portable dictaphone/note taker docking station.
It can also be used to transcribe multi-channel recordings made by the
MSRS conference and court recorder (www.nch.com.au/msrs/index.html) or
dictations recorded with the telephone based recorder DialDictate (www.nch.
com.au/dialdictate/index.html).
You can download Express Dictate, the MSRS and DialDictate (and the
latest version of this Express Scribe transcription software) at www.nch.com.
au/software/dictation.html.
Express Scribe features foot pedal or hot-key control, variable speed
playback, automated dispatch of typed documents and can work with speech
recognition software (e.g. Dragon Naturally Speaking) to assist transcription.
You can type using any Windows word processor including Microsoft
Word, Wordperfect, Wordpro and others while Express Scribe runs in the
background. Alternatively, you can use the Express Scribe Notes Field.
System Requirements

Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008
Sound Card
Speakers (or Headset)
[Optional] Foot Pedals - see www.nch.com.au/scribe/pedals.html for
more information
[Optional] SAPI Speech Recognition Software (e.g. Dragon Naturally
Speaking, etc.)
[Optional] Internet Connection (to receive recordings over the Internet)
[Optional] Computer Network (to receive recordings over the network)

Express Scribe, Express Dictate, DialDictate and the MSRS are all part of
NCH Softwares Business Audio Software. For more information about other
audio, video and business-related software, please see www.nch.com.au/
software/index.html.

Common Tasks
File Management
Load Dictation Files
There are three ways to load recordings or videos into Express Scribe:
by syncing with a folder to automatically check for new files, by manually
selecting a file, or by transferring a file from a transcription device.
Sync: Set up Express Scribe to sync by clicking the Sync icon from the
main toolbar. This takes you to the Incoming tab of the Options window
(see Options ~ Incoming). Once Express Scribe is set up to automatically
load recordings, the application will check for new files regularly while it is
running.
Load: If you need to load wav, mp3 or dct recording(s) or a video into
Express Scribe manually, press Ctrl+L or click the Load icon from the main
toolbar, and browse to locate the recording or video files. You can load
multiple files at the same time by holding down the shift key while selecting
files.
For files received on CD-ROM, refer to the Loading Files From a CD
section of this user guide.
Load and Delete Dictation Files (Ctrl+Shift+L)
This is the same as loading a file except that it deletes the original file after
loading. This is useful if you are loading recordings one at a time from a
shared folder to ensure that no one else loads the same file after you have.
Auto File Transfer: You can load files directly from a handheld recorder
using the Dock icon in the main toolbar. See the Transfer from Portable
Handheld Recorders - Dock section of this manual for instructions.
Completing a Dictation
When you have completed the typing for a file, you can either Dispatch the
typing by email to the person who dictated the file or you can simply mark
the file as Done. Either action will remove the file from the active files list.
To Dispatch the selected file by email, press Ctrl+D or click the Dispatch icon
4

from the secondary toolbar. If you have typed the document using a word
processor (i.e., Microsoft Word), you can attach the word processor file to
the email (click Browse).
To mark the file as Done without emailing it, press Ctrl+N or click the Done
icon from the secondary toolbar.
Recovering a Completed Dictation
To recover an old dictation to amend the transcription file, open the Recover
Old Dictations window. Do this by clicking the double-arrow icon in the
secondary toolbar, or press Ctrl+R. The window will display files that have
been Dispatched or marked as Done. Files will be automatically deleted from
this list after 1 month. Note that only dictations that have been Dispatched
or marked as Done can be recovered. Dictations that have been deleted
cannot be recovered.
Delete File
To delete a file press Ctrl+Delete or click the Delete icon from the secondary
toolbar, and then confirm that you wish to delete the file. Deleted files
cannot be recovered. We recommend you mark files Done, as described
above.
Save As
You can save the current material (including the associated Word Processor
document) as a dct file so it can be loaded by another typist. This is useful
if you are halfway through typing and want to forward your work to another
typist. Be sure to save your word processor document before selecting this
option. Save as a dct file by clicking the disk icon in the secondary toolbar, or
by selecting File -> Save as DCT.
Forward to
Forward the recording (and any attachments) to another person by email,
network or internet by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F or by clicking the Forward To
icon from the secondary toolbar. See the Forwarding Files section for more
information.

Controlling Audio and Video Files

Play (F9)
To play the selected file at the currently set speed, press F9, or press the
<Play> button in the Control section at the bottom of the Express Scribe
window.
There is a speed adjustment slider to the left of the play controls along the
bottom of the Express Scribe window which allows you to speed up or slow
down the recording. Alternatively, you can press F11 to play at slow speed,
F3 for fast speed, or F10 to return to real speed. The slow and fast speed
can be set using Options ~ Playback.
Stop (F4)
To stop, press F4, or press the <Stop> button in the Control section on the
bottom of the Express Scribe window.
Movement within the recording (F7, F8, Ctrl+Home, Ctrl+End)
To rewind or fast-forward, press and hold-down the F7 or F8 keys, or the
<Rewind> or <Fast-forward> buttons in the Control section on the bottom of
the Express Scribe window.
To move to the start directly, hold down the Control key and press Home. To
move to the end, press Ctrl+End.
You can also quickly move around the file using the scroll bar in the Control
section on the bottom of the Express Scribe window.
Foot pedals or system-wide hot keys can also be used to control Express
Scribe. For more information see Controllers ~ Overview and Options ~
Hot-Keys.
Typing
You can type using any word processor including Microsoft Word, Corel
WordPerfect, Lotus WordPro and others while Express Scribe runs in
the background. Alternatively, for small amounts of text, you can use the
Express Scribe Notes Field and then copy and paste the text into another
document.
6

If you use a word processor, you should use system-wide hot keys so that
Express Scribe can be controlled while it is in the background. Alternatively,
you can use a foot pedal control. For more information, see Options ~ HotKeys or Controllers ~ Overview.
If you dont use the Notes panel, you can hide it by unticking View -> Show
Notes Window.

Tips for Using Express Scribe

Using the Mini Control Window
You can control playback while you type using the Express Scribe Mini
control window. It has volume, speed and playback controls, and allows
more room for you to see what else you have on the rest of the screen. You
can enable it to float above your other applications by going to the menu
View->Show Express Scribe Mini Control, or by pressing Ctrl+M.
Using Foot Pedals
You can control playback while you type using foot pedal controllers. Being
able to start and stop playback and rewind and fast-forward with foot controls
can make typing much easier. See the section Options ~ Controller in this
user guide for more information.
Using Hot-Key Control
If you dont have foot pedals, or want more control over Express Scribe
when you are working in other applications (e.g. Microsoft Word), you should
use the system-wide hot keys. To view or change the hot key assignment,
use the Hot-Keys tab of Options. Refer to the sections Options ~ Hot-Keys
and Keyboard Shortcut Reference in this user guide for more information.
Encrypted Files
Before you will be able to receive encrypted files from Express Dictate or
DialDictate users, you must enter the encryption key for each user. Do this
from Options ~ Incoming.
Sound for New Files
If Express Scribe has been setup to receive files automatically, you can
select a sound to play when a new file arrives. Use Options ~ Incoming to
enable this, and to select the sound you want to play.
Auto-Delete Files
If your hard drive is running low you can set or reduce the number of days
after which Express Scribe will automatically delete done recordings. Use
Options ~ Disk Usage to set the number of days.

Audio Quality
If the recording sounds muffled, apply a low frequency cut filter of up to
1500Hz using Options ~ Playback. This can improve the audio quality.
Speech Recognition
If you install a speech recognition engine (e.g. Dragon Naturally Speaking),
Express Scribe can use Speech-to-Text to automatically create a draft
transcription. Enable and setup this feature using Options ~ Speech to
Text.
Software Development Kit (SDK)
The SDK is used to integrate Express Scribe as part of other software or
larger systems. See www.nch.com.au/scribe/sdk.html for more information.
(It is intended for programmers only.)

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

The following lists all the keyboard shortcuts available in Express Scribe. For
hot-keys, see the Options ~ System-Wide Hot-Keys section.
Main Window
F1

Display Help

F2

Play Slow Speed

F3

Play Fast Speed

F4

Stop

F7

Rewind

F8

Fast Forward

F9

Play

F10

Play Real Speed

F11

Play Slow Speed

Ctrl+Num7

Go to Start

Ctrl+Num1

Go to End

Ctrl+Home

Go to Start

Ctrl+End Go to End
Ctrl+Del Delete File
Ctrl+A

Copy All (Notes Field)

Ctrl+B

Set Bookmark

Ctrl+C

Copy (Notes Field)

Ctrl+D

Dispatch File

Ctrl+Shift+F

Forward a File

Ctrl+Left Go to previous Bookmark

Ctrl+Right

Go to next Bookmark

Ctrl+H

Attach a file

Ctrl+L

Load File

Ctrl+Shift+L

Load and Delete File

10

Ctrl+M

Show Express Scribe Mini Control

Ctrl+N

Done

Ctrl+R

Recover File

Ctrl+T

Insert Audio Time

Ctrl+V

Paste (Notes Field)

Ctrl+W

Open Word Processor

Ctrl+X

Cut from Notes Field

Alt+F4

Exit Express Scribe

NumPad 2

Select next recording

NumPad 8

Select previous recording

Default System-Wide Hot Keys

(Can be changed using Options -> Hot-Keys)
F2

Play Slow Speed

F3

Play Fast Speed

F4

Stop

F5

Open Express Scribe

F6

Minimize Express Scribe

F7

Rewind

F8

Fast Forward

F9

Play

F10

Play Real Speed

F11

Play Slow Speed

F12

Play (with pausing)

11

Loading Files from a CD

When the menu item File->Load Audio CD Track(s) is selected, Express
Scribe will automatically detect any Audio CDs in all CD-ROM drives. The
Load Audio CD Track(s) dialog will list all track names and durations for the
CD in the selected drive. Any time you eject a CD or load a new one, click
the <Refresh> button on the Load Audio CD Track(s) dialog to update this
display.
Highlighting and then clicking the <Load> button will rip each of the tracks
selected and load them into Express Scribe.
Please Note:

If Express Scribe does not detect any tracks on your CD, or the tracks
have strange looking names, please verify your audio CD files have
a .cda file extension. If they do not, Express Scribe will not be able to
properly read the audio files. In such situations, it is likely the files are
stored as data on your CD, and you will be able to load the files into
Express Scribe by pressing Ctrl+L or clicking the Load button from the
main toolbar.

There are limitations to ripping audio CDs on Windows 2000 and

Windows XP while not logged on to an administrator account. If you need
to use the CD drive with Express Scribe, you must be logged onto the
computer with a user account that has administrator access.

12

Floating Windows
Floating a window above other windows forces it to always stay on top of
any other open applications. When this option is enabled, you can keep
Express Scribe visible while typing in a word processor.
There are two windows that can be selected to float above other windows:

Main Window: Float Express Scribe above other windows (can be set
from Options ~ Display, or from the View menu).

Mini Control Window: Show and float the Mini Control Window above
other windows (can be set either from the View menu, by clicking the
<Scribe Mini> button on the main windows toolbar, or by using the
Ctrl+M shortcut).

13

Scribe Mini
Scribe Mini is a small window extension of the main Express Scribe user
interface. Clicking the Scribe Mini button in the main toolbar will minify the
main Express Scribe window to contain just a video panel and controls.
Using Scribe Mini allows more room for you to see the rest of your screen
if you are primarily working on a word processor and still need to refer to
Express Scribe.
You can enable Scribe Mini to float above your other applications by going to
the menu View->Show Express Scribe Mini Control, or by pressing Ctrl+M.
To revert Express Scribe back to its original size, click the Return to main
window button to the right of the play controls. Toggle back and forth
between the screen views with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+M.

14

Working with Word Processors

The Express Scribe Notes Field is not intended to replace your word
processor. Express Scribe works well with Microsoft Word, Corel Word
Perfect, Lotus Word Pro and most other major word processor programs.
You can either (i) run both Express Scribe and your word processor at the
same time or (ii) you can type the text in the Express Scribe Notes Field and
then copy and paste it into your word processor.
Typing directly into your word processor
After you have selected the file in Express Scribe, open your word
processor. You then control playback with either a foot pedal controller or the
system-wide hot-keys, or both.
To automate the creation, opening and management of word processor files
you first need to create a base template file in your word processor of choice
and save it in the folder where you want Express Scribe to store documents.
Next, check the Use a word processor document based on this file setting in
the Options ~ Other tab and select that new file. Then whenever you want
to open or create a document related to the recording, press Ctrl+W. If the
document already exists it will be opened; if the document does not exist,
Express Scribe copies the base file.
Advanced Option: If you want to use a different word processor base
document depending on the type of the recording, you can include it in
the name of the base document fields, circumfixed with the % character.
When Express Scribe creates a document for the first time it searches the
notes first for data (which could have been entered by the dictator using
DialDictate or Express Dictate). If no data was entered by the dictator using
Express Dictate or DialDictate it will then prompt for the data now.
For example, if your base document is entered as C:\My Documents\
Template%doctype%.doc then Express Scribe scans for <doctype>...</
doctype> data and, if not found, prompts for the doctype. If, say, a
DialDictate user had entered 21 for the dictation type it would have saved
<doctype>21</doctype> and Express Scribe would use Template21.doc.
Typing first into the Notes Field
Alternatively, you can type the main body of the text using the Express
15

Scribe Notes Field on the softwares main window below the display of
loaded dictation files. Then press Ctrl+A to copy all the text, run your word
processor and paste the text into a new document.
Dispatching Word Processor Documents
You can dispatch a word processor file as an attachment to the email you
return to the person who dictated the work. When you click Dispatch, click
on the Browse button to locate the file.

16

Attachments
Add, remove, and save as Attachment
In Express Scribe you can attach additional files to the dictation. These files
are then sent with the recording when you forward or dispatch the file.
To attach a file, right click the dictation you are going to send, and select
Attach File(s). Then browse to the folder where the file is kept, select it, and
click the <Open> button.
Express Scribe will now automatically send this file as part of your dictation.

17

Bookmarks
You can set bookmarks anywhere in the text which will later enable you
easily to find these bookmarked positions. Maybe you want to mark positions
where you did not understand the dictator clearly, or a position where
another typist is to continue transcribing from.
Ctrl+B sets bookmarks. Ctrl+G brings you to the first bookmark, and with
Ctrl+> and Ctrl+< you can move between the bookmarks.
The pulldown menu Bookmark -> Open Bookmark List opens the
Bookmarks dialog, which is a list of all bookmarks that have been created in
the text.
If the Prompt for description when setting bookmark option is enabled in the
Bookmarks dialog, you will be asked for a comment every time you set a
new bookmark. These comments will be shown in the Bookmark List - e.g.,
Continue from here or Did you mean NIGHT or KNIGHT?.
Click the <Remove> button on the Bookmarks dialog to remove a selected
bookmark from the list.

18

Dictation Information
Select one or more dictations , then click File -> Dictation information to
display the following information about the selected dictations:
Number of dictations selected
The number of dictations for which information is being displayed.
Total duration
The sum of the durations of the selected dictations.
Sender
The name and contact details of the user who sent the dictations.
If the dictations were sent by different users, values will only be displayed
for the fields that have the same value for all dictations. Fields with
values that differ for each dictation will show [Various].
Note:

Sender details are only available when the sender entered their
details before sending the dictation.

Sender details are only available for dictations sent as DCT files.

19

Forward Dictation
This option lets you forward a dictation file via email, the computer network
(to a folder) or the Internet (using an FTP server). You can use this function
when a dictation is only partially transcribed, and needs to be forwarded to
another person for completion.
To forward a dictation, select it and press Ctrl+ Shift +F. Then select the
method you want to use to send the file or the location it needs to be sent to.
If in doubt, ask the person who set up the dictation system for you.
Any attachments to the dictation will be sent with the dictation. To attach a
file press Ctrl+H, and then browse to locate the attachment.
Forward Method
Email Attachment
If you select this option, the recipient will be sent the dictation as a file
attached to an email.
Enter the email address of the typist in the Email Address box. For more
information about Email Settings please refer to Advanced Email Settings.
Forward to Folder on this computer or LAN
If the recipient is in your own office the fastest way to send typing to them is
over your computer network. You must have a shared folder on the network.
If necessary ask your systems administrator to create a suitable folder.
Enter the full name of the shared folder in the Folder or Drive. For example,
your shared folder might be H:Typist. Please note your typists software
(Express Scribe) must also be setup accordingly.
Upload to Server (FTP)
Express Scribe can send dictations directly to an internet server. This is
faster than the email option but requires that your typist have access to a
web hosting (FTP) service to store the files.
Select the Direct Internet Connection option and enter the Server, User
Name, Password and Directory as setup for your FTP server for the typist
20

you need to forward the file to.

Encryption
Re-encrypt dictation
(if a key is available for the original sender)
If the dictation file was encrypted before being sent to the Express Scribe
typist, this option allows the dictation file to be re-encrypted for its return to
the original sender. (See Options ~ Incoming for more on encryption keys.)
File name format
The file name of the forwarded dictation can be specified using a
combination of fixed strings and/or variables.
The available variables are:
%dict-name%: Dictation name
%dict-num%: Dictation number (0 if the dictation was not received from a
sender)
%sender-num%: Sender number (0 if the dictation was not received from a
registered sender)
%priority%: Dictation priority (3 digits, 000 to 100)
%now-year%: Current date - Year (4 digits)
%now-month%: Current date - Month (2 digits, 01 to 12)
%now-day%: Current date - Day of the month (2 digits, 01 to 31)
%now-hour%: Current time - Hour (2 digits, 00 to 23)
%now-min%: Current time - Minute (2 digits, 00 to 59)
%now-sec%: Current time - Second (2 digits, 00 to 59)
%%: Percent sign (%)
Note: The file extension .dct is appended automatically.
Example:
For a dictation named My Dictation forwarded at 2PM on the 1st of
21

January, 2009, the format string:

FWD-%now-year%%now-month%%now-day%-%now-hour%%now-min%%dict-name% would give the file name FWD-20090101-1400-My Dictation.
dct

22

Transfer from Portable Handheld Recorders Dock

Express Scribe supports two methods to transfer recordings from a handheld
recorder. If you have a digital handheld recorder that uses the open wav file
format and comes with its own connection cable and software you can use
the Audio File Transfer Method. If you are using an analog microcassette
recorder or a digital recorder that uses proprietary formats you can use the
Audio Cable Method to transfer the dictation.
Note: If you are using a PDA to dictate, the easiest way to send and receive
recordings is to install the free Pocket Dictate software from www.nch.
com.au/pocketnch.com.au/pocket/index.html and use email to send the
recordings directly to your typist. Then you will not need to use the Dock
feature at all (the typist simply opens the attachment).
Dock - Audio File Transfer Method
Use this option if you are using a digital recorder that uses an open file
format to record your dictation.
Your handheld recorder must come with software that will automatically
transfer the recordings and place them in a folder on your hard drive.
Once you have set up your handheld software, using Express Scribe, select
File->Transfer from Portable (Dock)->Audio File Transfer Method (or click the
triangle on the Dock icon in the main toolbar and select Audio File Transfer
Method from the drop menu), then browse to the folder on your hard drive
where the docking software of your handheld has been set to download the
wav files.
After you have done this for the first time, to Dock in the future simply click
on the <Dock> button on the main window (after the handheld software has
completed downloading the files).
Basic Record Instructions
The list of recorders below contains basic information for installing the
recorders software and setting up the recorder to dock with Express Scribe.
Philips Recorders
These recorders work well with Express Scribe. You must install
23

the software provided with the recorder on the computer running

Express Scribe. Then you will be able to load the wav files from the
Philips recorders.
Sanyo Recorders
You must install PCMemoScriber (from the CD-ROM supplied with
the Sanyo Recorders) on the PC running Express Scribe.
Using Express Scribe select File->Transfer from Portable (Dock)
->Audio File Transfer Method, then browse to the folder C:\Program
Files\PCMemoScriber. Whenever you need to Dock recordings (1)
from PCMemoScriber click on the <Transfer from Voice Recorder>
button then, when download is complete, (2) click on the <Dock>
button on Express Scribe.
VoiceIt Recorders - sri files
You must install the VoiceIt player software (that comes with the
VoiceIt recorder) on the PC running Express Scribe.
Using Express Scribe select File->Transfer from Portable (Dock)
->Audio File Transfer Method then browse to the voiceit folder.
Whenever you need to Dock recordings (1) from voiceit click on
the <Transfer from Voice Recorder> button then, when download is
complete, (2) click on the <Dock> button on Express Scribe.
Olympus Recorders - dss files
You may need to install the free dss32 plugin from www.nch.com.
au/components to load dss files from Olympus recorders.
Please also refer to File Formats Technical Support DSS files do
not load properly at www.nch.com.au/acm/support.html#DSS on
the NCH website for additional information.
Sony Recorders / Memory Stick Devices
There is one additional step when docking files from Sony
Recorders - using the Sony Voice editor to export to wav files. This
can be done very quickly once you know how.
Open Sony Voice Editor program. Follow the normal process to
24

load files from the recorder or memory stick into the default Voice
folder of the Sony Voice Editor. Once new folders/files are loaded
into the Voice Editor, select the menu item File->Save as VOICE
Folder. Browse to a folder that you have created for docking
recordings. Select Wav file (16 bit) under Save as Type. Click on
save.
When this process is complete, use the Express Scribe Dock Audio
File Transfer method and point to the same folder that you saved to.
Dock - Audio Cable Method
This method must be used if you are using an analog microcassette recorder
or the digital handheld you have uses a non-standard proprietary format.
The process simply plays back the recording into the computer. This can be
more effective than it might sound because with a duplex sound card and
accurate threshold detect levels, the transfer can happen automatically in
the background while you continue to type.
To transfer a recording from a portable dictaphone or notetaker into Express
Scribe, you need to connect a lead between the Ear socket on the portable
and the Line-In socket of the sound card. You should be able to purchase a
suitable lead from an electronics store for under $10.
Dock (Audio Cable) - Recording
Sound Record Device
If you have more than 1 sound card in your computer, select the sound card
connected to your portable in this pull down list.
Audio Input Channel
This should usually be Line or Line-In for the transfer connection.
Record Volume Level
Adjust the record volume so that the level display just touches into the red in
the louder peaks during dictation.

25

Use audio level activated recording start and stop

Activate Level
Transfer will automatically start and stop using the level of the incoming
audio. The default setting is -15dB. If recording starts too early or does not
automatically stop at the end of the tape, increase this level. If recording
does not start correctly, or chops the end of a recording, reduce this level.
You should correctly adjust the record volume level before you adjust the
activate level.
If you want to record manually you can uncheck the Use audio level
activated recording start and stop checkbox.
Transfer at high speed
If the player that you use to play in audio recordings can play back at double
speed, Express Scribe can dock the recordings at high speed. Check (tick)
the Transfer at high speed option and select the Speed in percent (200 is
double speed). As the recording is docked at high speed, Express Scribe will
automatically convert it down to normal speed.
Restart
If recording has started incorrectly, click the <Restart> button to start
recording from the start of the tape.
Done
When the transfer is complete, click the <Done> button.
You should not need to do this manually. The Transfer Window should
automatically close 15 seconds after the end of the recording. As long as
your record volume and activate levels are set correctly, you should be able
to start recording and walk away.
Duplex Operation
With most sound cards you can Dock recordings while you continue to use
Express Scribe to play other recordings. To do this open the Dock window
and start recording as described above. Do not click Done but simply click
on the title bar of Express Scribe to bring it to the front.
If you continue to hear the recording from the portable, click on the speaker
icon on the task bar and close the Line-In channel. You can then use
26

Express Scribe as normal while it records in the background. You might need
to adjust the Windows Volume Control so that the line in is not selected for
the playback volume.

27

Special Audio Processes

These processes are accessed by selecting the Special Audio Processes
option from Express Scribes File menu.
Background Noise Reduction
Selecting this audio process sets a floor threshold value and removes all
sound below that value. This feature will not be useful if the recording was
made in an environment with high background noise, as Express Scribe will
be unable to differentiate between the background sounds and the voice
dictation.
Extra Volume Boost (Loudness, Volume, Amplitude, Level and Gain)
The terms loudness, volume, amplitude and level mean roughly the same
thing. The more volume a sound is given the more power has been used to
create it and the louder it sounds.
This increase can be represented in percent or in a scale called the decibel
or dB scale. The human ear can hear a remarkably broad range of sounds
from very low to very high power. The ear does not perceive differences in
power in direct proportion to power but in a logarithmic way.
To more closely match the way we hear loudness, sound engineers use
the decibel scale (dB). To give you a feel for how this works, reducing the
volume level of a sound by 6dB means you are dropping the amplitude by
1/2 or the power by 1/4. Conversely, a 6db increase in the level corresponds
to doubling the amplitude. A 20dB drop means 1/10 of the amplitude (or
1/100 of the power).
The smallest unit of loudness change a person will notice is around +/- 3dB.
The gain is set to increase 10% when this audio process is selected.
High Pass Filter
When this audio process is selected, only those frequencies in the audio file
above 450Hz are kept.

28

Undo (Restore Original Audio)

This will undo all changes made since Express Scribe was started or that
particular file was loaded.
Note: If you wish to edit the parameters of any of the above settings you will
need to use another of our products - Wavepad sound editor.
Wavepad comes in a free downloadable version which includes a 14-day
trial of the advanced WavePad Masters Edition features. You will find this at
www.nch.com.au/wavepad/index.html.

29

Advanced Email Settings

You can setup the way Express Scribe dispatches email using the Advanced
Email Settings dialog box.
The Advanced Email Settings can be opened by clicking on the <Email
Settings> button from Dispatch dialog, or from the Options->Other tab, and
clicking on the Advanced email dispatch settings button
Send Method
Use MAPI to send email with email software
By default Express Scribe uses the MAPI system to send email using your
existing email software (Eudora, Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.). To use this you
must have email software installed and set as the default MAPI server. The
advantage of this system is that your email software manages the email.
However, there can be some problems with some email software. If you
have MAPI problems, try the alternative SMTP options:
Use SMTP to send email directly to the mail server
This is the process where the email is sent using a networked SMTP server.
The SMTP server usually is provided by your ISP; its role is to relay emails
for you. You do not require an installed email client. You must enter the name
of the SMTP mail host used by your ISP for sending of mail (ask them if you
do not know it), and your email return address in the Default reply email box.
If when using SMTP you receive an error message, it might be that your
server requires an authenticated login (a username and password) to send
email. If this is the case, check the Server requires authentication checkbox
and enter your User Name and Password.
If server is down, attempt to send directly
Enable this option if you want to attempt sending the email using the direct
method (see below) if sending to the SMTP mail host is unsuccessful due to
the server being unavailable.
Send directly to other side (work as own SMTP server)
When this option is selected the software sends the email directly to the
30

remote persons email address using a simple internal SMTP server. No

outgoing server relays the email.
Note: The Use SMTP to send email directly to the mail server option is
preferred. The problem with the Send directly... method is that if the remote
email server is down, email will fail. SMTP servers normally queue or spool
mail for 12 hours.
Default Reply Email
This option is enabled if either of the SMTP send methods is selected.
Enter the email address that you want to specify as the default reply email
address.

31

Recover Old Dictation(s)

The Recover Old Dictations dialog can be viewed by pressing Ctrl+R, or
clicking the recover old dictations button in the secondary toolbar. Dictations
that have been dispatched or marked as done will appear in this dialog.
Old dictations are automatically deleted after 1 month, unless the setting is
changed (see Options ~ Disk Usage).
Play
Preview dictations to verify which one you want to work with.
Recover
Move the selected dictation(s) back to the dictation list in the main
window.
Delete
Permanently deletes the selected dictation(s). Deleted dictations cannot
be recovered, so use with caution.
Find
If the list of dictations in the Recover Old Dictation(s) is very long, you
can search by Dictation Name, Date, Sender or Notes to quickly highlight
the relevant dictation.

32

Find a Dictation
To quickly find a dictation, press Ctrl+F to bring up the Find a Dictation
dialog. You may search terms contained in any column in Express Scribes
main window. First, select the column you want to search, then type the
search term in the Text to Find box. Note that all searches are case
sensitive.

33

Software Development Kit

For information on programmatically integrating Express Scribe as part of
other software or a larger dictation system, please refer to the Software
Development Kit online documentation at http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/sdk.
html.

34

Controllers ~ Overview
About Hand-Held and Foot Pedal Controllers
Many actions in this software can be controlled by a hand-held or foot
pedal controller. Each button or pedal on the controller can be mapped to a
command that is triggered when that button or pedal is pressed.
Foot pedal controllers allow you to trigger commands without removing your
hands from the keyboard or mouse, in a more intuitive way than keyboard
short-cuts or hot-keys, while hand-held controllers usually contain an in-built
speaker and / or microphone, in addition to several buttons, designed to
simulate the experience of a traditional hand-held dictation recorder.
See Controllers ~ Compatible Controllers for a list of controllers that are
compatible with this software.
Button or pedal presses on controllers are detected regardless of whether
or not the application is in the foreground or has focus. The controller will
continue to function even when the application is minimized, or while using a
document in another application.
Active Controller
The active controller is the controller that has been configured for use.
See the Options ~ Controller section for information about configuring the
active controller.
Note that if the active controller is unplugged and moved to a different port, it
will no longer be detected as the active controller. You must either reconnect
the controller to the original port, or run the Controller setup wizard again.
Controller Status
An icon representing the status of the active controller appears on the righthand side of the status bar. The icon has four possible states:

Black icon, green dot: The active controller is attached and configured
correctly.
Black icon, orange dot: The active controller is configured, but is not
attached.
35

Black icon, red dot: The active controller is not configured correctly, or
an error has occurred.
Gray icon, no dot: The controller feature is disabled
Hover the mouse cursor on top of the status icon for a text description of the
controller status.
If the controller feature is enabled but no active controller is configured, a
message may appear in the notification tray area when you attach a plug
and play controller. Click on this message to launch the Controller setup
wizard and configure it as the active controller. See the Options ~ Controller
section for instructions on going through the wizard.

36

Controllers ~ Compatible Controllers

See Contollers ~ Overview for an overview of controlling this software with a
hand-held or foot pedal controller.
Recommended Controllers
The following controllers are known to be compatible with this software,
and technical support purchased for this software covers assistance
in configuring them. Some of these are available for purchase through
AltoEdge at http://www.altoedge.com/dictation/index.html.
Controller

Description

Supported OS

VEC Infinity IN-USB-1

USB foot pedal with three

pedals

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

VEC Infinity IN-USB-2

USB foot pedal with three

pedals

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

Philips SpeechMike
Classic Plus 5272

USB hand-held voice

recorder with a slide
switch, trackball, scroll
wheel, 9 configurable
buttons, and a built-in
microphone and speaker

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

Philips SpeechMike Pro

Plus 5276

USB hand-held voice

recorder with a trackball,
scroll wheel, 11
configurable buttons, and
a built-in microphone and
speaker

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

Philips Foot Control 2320

USB foot pedal with three

pedals

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

vPedal vP-1 (USB)

USB foot pedal with three

pedals

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

vDictate Mk I / Mk II

USB hand-held voice

recorder with four buttons
and a built-in microphone
and speaker

Microsoft Windows, Mac

OS X

37

Legacy Controllers
The following controllers are known to be compatible with this software,
and technical support purchased for this software covers assistance in
configuring them. However, if you are considering purchasing a new
controller, prefer one of the Recommended Controllers, listed above.
Controller

Description

Supported OS

VEC Infinity IN-DB9

9 pin serial port foot pedal with

three pedals

Microsoft Windows

vPedal vP-1 (Serial)

9 pin serial port foot pedal with

three pedals

Microsoft Windows

Other Controllers
The following controllers may be compatible with this software, however
some features may not work. NCH Software offers no technical support for
these controllers.
Controller

Description

Supported OS

Philips SpeechMike
Classic 5260

USB hand-held voice recorder

with a slide switch, trackball,
scroll wheel, 5 configurable
buttons, and a built-in
microphone and speaker

Microsoft Windows,
Mac OS X

Philips SpeechMike (other

USB models)

Limited functionality is
provided for some USB Philips
SpeechMike models which arent
specifically listed above

Microsoft Windows,
Mac OS X

VEC Voice Input Station

VIS-200

USB hand-held voice recorder

and base, with a slide switch, 11
configurable buttons, and a builtin microphone and speaker

Microsoft Windows,
Mac OS X

Generic game controller

Any game controller, with one

or more buttons, which has
been installed and configured
in Windows (Control Panel ->
Game Controllers)

Microsoft Windows

38

Controller

Description

Supported OS

Generic serial port device

Some controllers which attach

to the serial port but are not
listed above in Recommended
Controllers or Legacy
Controllers, can be configured
as generic serial port controllers

Microsoft Windows

Custom Drivers
If the application is running under Microsoft Windows and your controller
is not listed as compatible, you may be still be able to use it by writing a
custom driver. NCH Software offers no technical support for custom drivers.
To do this, you will need:

Computer programming experience.

Documentation, from the controller manufacturer, of the API used to

interface with the controller.

Connectors
Controllers can use any one of the following connectors:
Port

Plug

Supported OS

USB

Usually
USB-A

Microsoft Windows,
Mac OS X

Serial

9 pin DE-9
or 25 pin
DB-25

Microsoft Windows

Game

15 pin DA15

Microsoft Windows

Notes

Microsoft no longer supports the

game port in Windows Vista or
later.

39

Options
To open the Options dialog select the Options menu from the menu bar, or
click the <Options> button on the toolbar.
Options ~ Playback
Options ~ Controller
Options ~ Hot-Keys
Options ~ Incoming
Options ~ Incoming ~ Incoming Source Properties
Options ~ File Types
Options ~ Speech to Text
Options ~ Disk Usage
Options ~ Display
Options ~ Other

40

Options ~ Playback
Playback
Sound Device
If you have more than one sound card installed in the computer, use this
pull-down list to select the device for playback.
Volume Level
This is the volume setting for playback. The playback volume can also be
adjusted using the volume slider on the main window of Express Scribe.
Variable Speed
You can adjust the slow (F11/F2) and fast (F12/F3) playback speeds. The
speeds are represented as a percent of normal speed, so 50% is half speed
and 200% is double speed. Recommended settings are slow 50% and fast
150%.
The speed of play current speed (F9) is controlled using the speed control
on the main window.
Use the old method of slowing down the sound file [SPS SPEED]
At NCH Software we developed a new version of slowing down the speed,
using phasing. If you find that a word is still hard to determine you may
choose to use our old method of slowing down the audio playback (SPS
Speed) by checking this box.
Clarity low frequency cutoff method
Express Scribe uses a tone control called a Low Frequency Cut Filter which
can improve the clarity and intelligibility of poor quality recordings. The tone
can be controlled by setting the frequency cutoff point.
For no frequency filter, set the control to Full Base (0 Hz). For a mid level
frequency filter, use High or Low Base Filtering, and for very poor quality
recordings use the 1500Hz Sharp filter. The default setting is for no filter: Full
Base (0Hz).

41

Auto Backstep on Stop

If you stop playback and start again later, Express Scribe can be set
to backstep so that you hear a short part of where you were before
you stopped. The amount backstep time you hear can be adjusted in
milliseconds (ms), so if you want the dictation to be wound back one and a
half secondsenter a value of 1500. To turn the backstep off, enter 0.
Rewind and Fast-Forward
The rewind and fast-forward mode can either be Increasing speed (default)
or Constant speed. In both cases, Express Scribe first takes a preset Step
back or forward then starts at the preset Speed (default 150%). If Increasing
speed mode is selected, as you hold down rewind or fast-forward the speed
increases over a 6 second period to the maximum speed specified (default
800%).

42

Options ~ Controller
See Controllers ~ Overview for an overview of controlling this software with a
hand-held or foot pedal controller.
Enable hand-held or foot pedal controller
Check this box if you intend to use a foot pedal controller.
Active controller
The active controller is the controller that has been configured for use. This
shows the type of controller that is configured, if any, and its status.
Please see Change active controller below for information about using the
Controller Setup Wizard to configure the active controller.
Note: If the active controller is unplugged and moved to a different port, it
will no longer be detected as the active controller. You must either reconnect
the controller to the original port, or run the Controller setup wizard again.
Properties
Click the <Properties> button to show static properties of the active device,
such as the company, model, and interface. Properties also allows changes
to some configuration options, such as which port to use for a controller that
connects to a serial port.
Command map / test
The <Command map / test> button displays a list of the active controllers
pedals:
The first column shows the name of the button or pedal.
The second column shows the application command that will be run
when this button or pedal is pressed. Click on the command and select
from the pull-down list that appears to select a different command.
Commands marked with a * are affected by the Tap lock option (see
below).
The third column is used to test the controller configuration by showing
whether a pedal or button is currently pressed.
Click the <Reset to default commands> button to reset the command
43

mappings for all pedals and buttons to their original state.

Change active controller
Controller Setup Wizard
You use this wizard to select and configure the active controller. Before
starting the wizard you must first verify that your controller is compatible with
Express Scribe. Open the Options dialog and select the Controller tab. Click
the List of compatible controllers link and verify that your controller is listed.
Run the Controller Setup Wizard
Ensure that the Enable hand-held or foot pedal controller check-box is
checked, and then click the <Controller setup wizard> button.
Step 1: Connect Controller
Refer to your controllers manual (supplied by the controllers
manufacturer) for instructions on how to connect the controller to the
computer and how to install any required drivers. Ensure the controller is
connected and working, then click <Next>.
Note: if you have a VEC Infinity series USB foot pedal (model IN-USB-1
or IN-USB-2) obtained from NCH Software/AltoEdge, simply plug it into
a free USB port on your computer. It will be detected automatically, and
the necessary driver will also be auto-downloaded to your computer and
installed.
Step 2: Detection Method
If your controller appears in the pull-down list of automatically detected
controllers, then ensure Use a detected controller is selected, select the
desired controller from the pull-down list, click <Next>, and skip to Step
4: Controller Properties below.
If your controller doesnt appear in the pull-down list, select the Select a
controller type manually option and click <Next>.
Step 3: Controller Type
Manually select the controller type here if your controller wasnt autodetected in the previous step (controller not plug & play compatible), then
click <Next>.
44

Step 4: Controller Properties

Verify that the controller description matches your actual controller. You
may also need to configure the controller:
For specific serial controllers, you will need to specify which serial
port the controller is using.
For generic serial controllers, you will need to enter the number of
buttons/pedals, and the serial port the controller is using.
For custom driver controllers, you will need to enter the number of
buttons/pedals, and the file path to the driver library.
Click <Next>.
Step 5: Controller Button / Pedal Detection
If you have selected a generic or custom controller type in step 3, the
application will need to detect each of the pedals on the controller. Press
and release each of the pedals as prompted.
Step 6: Controller Command Map / Test
Here you will see a list of the controllers pedals:
The first column shows the name of the pedal.
The second column shows the application command that will be
run when this pedal is pressed. Assign a different command to
each button/pedal by clicking on the command and selecting a new
command from the pull-down list.
The third column can be used to test the controller configuration and
will showing whether a pedal is currently pressed.
Click the <Reset to default commands> button to reset the command
mappings for each pedal to their original state.
Click <Finish> to close the wizard.
Tap lock
Any command marked with a * in the Command map / test dialog can be
run for variable duration. The command will start when the mapped pedal is
pressed. Change the tap lock options to configure when the command will
stop.

45

When Enable tap lock is disabled, the command will always stop when the
pedal is released.
When Enable tap lock is enabled:

46

If Enable unlock time-out is disabled: The command will always continue

after the pedal is released, and will stop on the next press. For example,
a quick tap on the Play pedal will start playback of the dictation, and that
playback will continue until another quick tap of the Play pedal is made.
If Enable unlock time-out is enabled: If the pedal is released quickly then
the command will continue until the next press. However, if the pedal is
held longer than the time-out, then tap lock is ignored and the command
will stop when the pedal is released.

Options ~ System-Wide Hot-Keys

Standard keyboard short-cuts can normally only be used when the
application window has focus. Hot keys are keys which apply even when
Express Scribe is in the background. For example, when you are working in
your word processor you can continue to control playback using the systemwide hot-keys.
Default System-Wide Hot Keys
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
F7
F8
F9
F10

Play Slow Speed

Play Fast Speed
Stop
Open Express Scribe
Minimize Express Scribe
Rewind
Fast Forward
Play
Play Real Speed

Enable system-wide hotkeys

Check this box to activate hot-keys in Express Scribe.
Key assignment

Click <Add> to open the Add New Hot-Key dialog.

Click the <Change> button in the Add New Hot-Key dialog to assign the
key or key combination (Alt or Ctrl if required) that you want to use
Select the command to be associated with this hot-key from the dropdown Command list.
Click the <OK> button at the bottom of the Add New Hot-Key dialog

To remove a hot-key, select it from the list and click the <Delete> button.
Clicking Set Defaults resets all hot-keys to their default assignments.
Note: System-wide hot-keys take precedence over standard keyboard
short-cuts. In other words, if a key is configured as both a standard keyboard
short-cut and a system-wide hot-key, then only the hot-key command will be
run when the key is pressed.

47

Options ~ Incoming
Incoming Recordings
Configure incoming recording sources to simplify and automate the process
of checking for and loading new dictations. Set up a new incoming source
by clicking the Add button. See the Options ~ Incoming ~ Incoming Source
Properties section for more information on configuring recording sources.
An existing incoming source may have its details modified by clicking the
<Properties> button to open its Incoming Source Properties dialog, and then
changing the required settings. See the Options ~ Incoming ~ Incoming
Source Properties section for more information on configuring recording
sources.
To delete an incoming source from the list, highlight it in the Incoming
Recordings list and then click the <Remove> button.
When a new dictation arrives:
Perform special process
These audio processes can be used to improve the quality of the received
audio and make it easier to understand the speaker. Available processes
include Background Noise Reduction, Extra Volume Boost, and High
Pass Filter.
Play a sound
If you tick this option and browse to locate a wav file, that file will be played
whenever a new file arrives to let you know you have a new dictation. Useful
sounds files can usually be found in the C:\Windows\Media folder.
Display a bubble tip
When you load or open a file in Express Scribe it is considered new until it is
clicked on in Express Scribe. You can set whether you want a bubble tip to
appear each time you receive a new dictation.
Note: On Linux, this option is only available if you have the libnotify library
installed.
Set Users Decryption Key
Express Dictate, Pocket Dictate, DialDictate and WebDictate can encrypt the
48

recordings with a key prior to transmission to protect security and privacy,

and to remain HIPAA compliant. If this has been done to a file you receive,
you must enter the same key in Express Scribe to decrypt the audio.
The key is based on the user id of the sender (obtained when you register
Express Dictate or DialDictate). If you have not yet registered, use the id 0.

49

Options ~ Incoming ~ Incoming Source

Properties
This dialog allows you to configure the automation of incoming recording
files. The dialog is found from Options -> Incoming tab and then by clicking
the Add (for a new receiving configuration) or Properties (to configure an
existing receiving configuration) buttons.
Receive Method Tab
Receive Method
Express Delegate
Select this option to load dictations from an Express Delegate (v 4.00 or
above) dictation workflow management server. Express Delegate is a
dedicated dictation workflow management server from NCH Software.
It offers several advantages over other receive methods - such as
automatically assigning typing tasks to members of typing pools based on
customizable rules and criteria.
Express Delegate Options:
The Express Delegate Server can be a computer that is accessible
across a LAN (local area network) or the Internet. The Express Delegate
administrator will need to create an account before you can logon to the
server. Please consult the Express Delegate help for more information
on installing Express Delegate, configuring the server, and creating user
accounts.
Youll need to know the Server and Logon details for the Express
Delegate server you are connecting to:
Server
Address: e.g., server.company.com or the computers IP address
Port: the server port number
Secure connection (SSL/TLS): check this if it is necessary to
encrypt data transfers to and from the server.
Logon
Email address/password: The Express Deleage user account logon
50

email and password. Please consult the Express Deleagte help for
information about how to reset your password if you have lost it.
Test connection: Click to attempt a connection to the server using
the current server and logon details. If the connection is successful
then details of the server will also be shown.
FTP
Select this option to load dictations from an FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
server. Note that you must have your own directory on this server. You do
not need to host your own server - almost all ISP web hosting services
offer FTP access which is suitable and very affordable, and the server
can be located anywhere in the world. NCH Software provides a list of
recommended FTP hosting services at www.nchsoftware.com/ftp/hosting.
html.
Warning: Dictations will be automatically deleted from the FTP server once
they are loaded.
FTP Options:
Youll need to know the server and logon details for the server you are
connecting to:
Server
Address: e.g., ftp.company.com (or ftp.company.com:12345 to
specify a non-default port number).
Secure connection (SSL/TLS): check this if it is necessary to
encrypt data transfers to and from the server, and if the server is
capable of doing so.
Logon
User Name / Password: The FTP account name and password.
Folder
A sub-directory of the default FTP server directory - e.g. /typing.
Leave this field blank to use the default directory.
Test FTP Logon Details
Click this button to attempt a connection to the server using the
current server and logon details.
51

File Copy
Select this option to load dictations from a shared drive or folder on a LAN
(local area network), or a folder on your local machine.
Warning: Dictations will be automatically deleted from the source drive or
folder once they are loaded. If you use this option on a Network Folder, ALL
.dct and .wav files in the shared folder will be deleted by Express Scribe after
loading. If you use this option on an email Attachments Folder, ALL .dct files
in the attachment folder will be loaded and then deleted.
File Copy Options:
Source Folder or Drive: e.g., H:\Shared Folders\Typing\Your Folder
The source folder may be either a shared drive or folder on a LAN (local
area network), or a folder on your local machine. When using a network
drive or folder, please ensure that share permissions have been set
appropriately.
The source folder may be set to the local folder where your email
program stores attachments if you want to automatically load dictations
from received emails.
Loading Mode Tab
The loading mode determines when this incoming source will be checked for
new dictations, and how many dictations to load if more than one is found.
Manual One at a time
The incoming source will be checked when the Sync button or menu item
is clicked. If multiple new dictations are found, only the one with the highest
priority will be loaded.
Manual All files
The incoming source will be checked when the Sync button or menu item
is clicked. All new dictations that are found will be loaded.
Automatic All files
The incoming source will be checked automatically at the interval specified
in Check Interval (minutes). All new dictations that are found will be loaded.
52

Check interval (min)

This value specifies the time interval in minutes between automatic checks
of the incoming source for new dictations. (If manual loading is selected,
check interval is disabled.)
File Types Tab
Check the check-boxes next to the file extensions that you want to load from
this incoming source.
Note: No file extension checkboxes will be displayed if the Receive Method
being used is Express Delegate.

53

Options ~ File Types

If you are playing dictation files with file extension .vox or .raw, these files will
require some additional information in order for them to be read first.
Codec Settings
This is where you set the default RAW and VOX file settings. Click the <Set
Default RAW Settings> button or the <Set Default VOX Settings> button as
appropriate and configure the settings in the Encoder Options dialog. The
dialog box requires input in the following areas:
Format
Choose the data format of the file from the drop-down list.
Sample
Choose the sampling rate of the file from the drop-down list, or type in your
own value.
Channels
Choose the number of channels encoded in the file from the drop-down list.
It is important that the selected settings best reflect the internal structure of
the file; otherwise the file may not sound as expected when played. If you
are unsure what settings to use, either use the default settings, or feel free to
experiment with various combinations.

54

Options ~ Speech to Text

Express Scribe can use any SAPI (4.0 or 5.0) compliant speech recognition
engine to assist you to transcribe recordings e.g. Dragon Naturally
Speaking, IBM ViaVoice, (and others).
With Express Scribe set up for Speech to Text, when you load a file it will
process the file in the background and then include the full text in the Notes
Field. Even if your computer is fast this can take some time (even longer
than the recording itself), so this function works ideally when you have a
queue of typing work. However, because the speech recognition runs in the
background, you can start transcription immediately.
You should not be too excited by speech to text. It will be many years before
machines will be able to transcribe accurately. At present even a well-trained
engine will offer at best around 90% accuracy. It is our concept that you will
use this feature as a tool to provide you with draft text which you can play
through at a faster speed and correct or re-format.
Training is essential to get reasonable text to speech. The engine must
be trained to recognize each voice that is going to be used. The training
function is managed by your speech recognition software, not Express
Scribe. Refer to your speech engine manual for more information.
Express Scribe automatically matches each dictation file with a trained
speaker using the Express Dictate (or DialDictate) ID of the sender. This
ID is obtained when they register their software (all unregistered users,
wav files and docked recordings are considered to be ID 0). After training a
Speaker in the speech recognition software to learn a users voice, Express
Scribe can set the speaker profile to run every time that particular user
sends you a file. The speaker profile can be set in the User-specific profiles
section of the Options->Text to Speech tab.
Setup for Speech to Text
1.
2.
3.

Open the Options dialog and select the Speech to Text tab.
Check the Enable speech recognition checkbox.
Select the speech recognition engine from the Engine drop-down list. If
you do not see any engines in the pull-down list then you have not fully
installed your speech recognition software, or it is not SAPI compliant.
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4.

5.

6.

Select a speech profile from the Default profile drop-down list. This is
the profile that will be used for any dictations received from users who
are not listed in User-specific profiles.
Get each user to train the speech recognition engine so it can recognise
them; refer to the manual provided with your speech recognition
software. Most speech recognition engines can be trained using another
PC, and then the training file exported to your system.
For each user who has completed the training, add their User ID and
speaker Profile to the User-specific profiles list. Click the <Add> button
and enter the users details in the Speech to Text Profile dialog. If
they are registered users of Express Dictate or DialDictate, use the
ID number that they obtained when they registered their software
license. Use ID 0 (zero) for all unregistered users, wav files and docked
recordings.

Note: When opening the Options ~ Speech to Text tab, or when changing
the selected Engine, the Retrieving profiles dialog may be displayed for
some time.
When your next dictation is loaded, Express Scribe will run the speech
engine in the background. When complete, it will paste the text into the
Notes box.
Please be patient. The process can take some time (even longer than the
recording itself). Thus the function is ideal when you have a queue of items.
But remember that you can start transcribing immediately.
Also note that the Speech to Text process will only happen when a dictation
is first loaded. If you run Express Scribe with an already loaded dictation, the
recognition process will not run.

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Options ~ Disk Usage

Disk Usage
Delete old done files after number of days (0 is never)
If your hard drive is running low, you can set or reduce the number of days
after which Express Scribe will automatically delete done recordings. Set
this to 0 (zero) if you do not want files to be deleted.
Warn me when my hard drive space is below (MB)
This setting will set a check when loading files, or when starting Express
Scribe, to display a warning when the hard drive free space falls below the
number of MB specified. Once it goes below this amount Express Scribe will
no longer be able to load files.
Data Folder
This setting determines where Express Scribe stores its data files. You may
need to change this setting if you have multiple hard disks (or your hard disk
is partitioned) and the default folder is on a small disk. The default setting is
suitable for most users.
Warning:

Avoid setting the data folder to a folder on a removable disk.

Avoid setting the data folder to a network location.
Data in the current data folder (such as any currently loaded dictations)
will no longer be visible to Express Scribe if the data folder is modified.

Use the <Set to Default> button to reset the data folder to its default path.

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Options ~ Display
Time Mode
On the main window of Express Scribe, the time can be displayed in one of
the following modes:
Time elapsed - the relative time from the beginning of the recording to
the current playback position
Time remaining - the relative time from the current playback position to
the end of the recording
Recording time - the absolute, real time when the current playback
position was actually being recorded. This mode is particularly useful
if you are transcribing material recorded with the MSRS Multi-Channel
Courtroom or Conference Recorder (www.nch.com.au/msrs/index.html).
Time Format
Display the playback Position or recording Duration using one of the
following formats:
mmm:ss - minutes and seconds.
mmm:ss.t - minutes, seconds, and tenths of seconds.
h:mm:ss - hours, minutes, and seconds.
h:mm:ss.t - hours, minutes, seconds, and tenths of seconds.

Additional Columns
You may select up to two custom columns. These are extracted from XML
tags in the Notes columns. You must specify the XML Tag and a name
for the Column Label when it is displayed on the main window of Express
Scribe.

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Options ~ Other
This tab allows you to control settings for word processor document
templates and email configuration.
Template Documents
Use a word processor document based on this file
If you are using a word processor to type the received dictations, Express
Scribe can create a new document for each recording when you press
Ctrl+W, or click the word processor icon in the secondary toolbar on the
main screen. When it creates the new document, it copies a base word
processor file (that might, for example, contain your standard template etc.).
If you want to use the Ctrl+W option with Express Scribe, you should create
and select a base document file for Express Scribe to copy.
You can add multiple base templates to use and select which one to use at
the time you create the document.
Advanced Option
If you want to use a different word processor base document depending
on the type of the recording, you can include this in the name of the base
document fields circumfixed with the % character. When Express Scribe
creates a document for the first time it first searches the Notes for data
(which could have been entered by the dictator using DialDictate or Express
Dictate). If no data was entered by the dictator using Express Dictate or
DialDictate then it will prompt for the data.
For example, if your base document is entered as C:\My Documents\
Template%doctype%.doc then Express Scribe scans for <doctype>...</
doctype> data and if not found prompts for the doctype. If say a
DialDictate user had entered 21 for the dictation type, it would have saved
<doctype>21</doctype> and Express Scribe would use Template21.doc.
Advanced Email Dispatch Settings
Use this button to open Advanced Email Dispatch Settings. See
the Advanced Email Dispatch Settings section of this manual for more
information.
59

Software License Terms

1.

The copyrights in this software and any audio or visual work distributed
with the software belong to NCH Software. NCH Software reserves all
rights. NCH Software licenses the distribution and installation of this
software only in accordance with these terms.

2.

By installing, using or distributing this software you, on your own behalf

and on behalf of your employer or principal, agree to be bound by these
terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms, you may not use, copy,
transmit, distribute, or install this software.

3.

This software, and all accompanying files, data and materials, are
distributed as is and with no warranties of any kind, whether express
or implied except as required by law. If you intend to rely on this
software for critical purposes you must test it fully prior to using it, install
redundant systems and assume any risk.

4.

NCH Software will not be liable for any loss arising out of the use of
this software including, but not limited to, any special, incidental or
consequential loss.

5.

You may not use this software in any circumstances where there is any
risk that failure of this software might result in a physical injury or loss of
life. Any such use by you is entirely at your own risk, and you agree to
indemnify NCH Software from any claims relating to such unauthorized
use.

6.

You may copy or distribute the installation file of this software in its
complete unaltered form but you may not, under any circumstances,
distribute any software registration code. In the event that you do
distribute a software registration code, you will be liable to pay the full
purchase price for each location where the unauthorized use of code
occurs.

7.

The contract arising out of this agreement is governed by the laws and
courts of the Australian Capital Territory.

Express Scribe Transcription Playback Software

NCH Software
www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html
60