November 4, 2026 · 5 min read
How to transcribe a lecture or talk to text
Taking notes while trying to understand is hard, especially in long lectures or talks packed with information. Recording them and turning them into text lets you listen now and study later, with the text in front of you.
Ask permission before you record
Many schools and teachers have rules about recording lectures, and at a conference you may need the speaker's permission. Ask first and, if the answer is no, respect it. A lecture recording is usually for your own study: don't share it without permission, especially if other people's voices can be heard.
Record with clear audio
Put your phone or recorder close to the speaker, not at the back of the room, and switch on airplane mode so no notification interrupts. A compressed format such as m4a or mp3 is enough for speech. If you can use a microphone, even better.
Turn it into text
Upload the recording to SwiftBOL in Work mode. In minutes you get the transcript with timestamps, organised into chapters by topic, and a summary with the key ideas. To find something specific, ask the built-in chat («what did they say about the exam?») instead of going back through the whole lecture.
How to study from the transcript
Start with the summary, highlight the key concepts and turn them into review questions. When something isn't clear, jump to the exact minute of the recording. Always check against your own notes and the official course material.
What to expect from AI
The transcript can fail on specialised terminology, formulas and proper names: check them before you memorise anything. It doesn't replace attending class or the official material. The Free plan includes 2 hours of audio a month, no card, to try it on your next lecture.
Try it with your own audio
SwiftBOL turns your meetings and calls into minutes with decisions and action items in minutes. The Free plan includes 120 minutes of audio a month, no credit card required.