The best way to get started with Scribeomatic is to watch our video tutorials, which cover installation, obtaining points for the free trial, and how to take advantage of the fastest workflows.

1. Recommended simplest workflow, for text based search of rushes before editing
2. Checking and editing the transcription
3. Options for sending the Transcription back to FCP X
4. Scribeomatic Workflow Tips and Limitations
5. Diagrams of workflow options

Simplest workflow, recommended for text-based search of rushes before editing:

To quickly generate searchable text for rushes / dailies, you can drag and drop multiple media files into Scribeomatic, either from the MacOS finder or from the FCP X browser.  You can drop individual audio or video clips, selections of multiple clips, or simply an entire event. (Be aware that some items, such as MultiCam clips and timeline Projects, require a different workflow - if dragging an event, try to limit it to simple video and audio clips).

NOTE: You can only have one Scribeomatic workspace open at a time. If you drag a new selection from FCP X into Scribeomatic, you will be prompted to save the workspace and start a new one.

Once you have the media you wish to transcribe loaded into Scribeomatic, you can limit which clips will be transcribed in two ways:  

1. You can choose an Audio Role from the Audio Role drop down menu in the Scribeomatic Media Browser.  For example, choosing the role "dialogue" will limit Scribeomatic to only transcribe clips which are marked with that specific role.
   
   
   
   
2. You can choose a selection of clips in the Scribeomatic media browser and choose "transcribe selected" from the Transcribe drop down menu (located near the Transcribe button underneath the media browser).
   
   
   
   

IMPORTANT:  Make sure you select the correct language and dialect of english before you transcribe (Settings > Language Settings).

Once the language is set, you are ready to click the Transcribe button.  You will first be asked to save your workspace, to make sure that paid transcripts are not lost.

You will now be presented a choice of two transcription options: two (2) points per minute for the faster option, and three (3) points per minute for the slightly slower, but more accurate option.

 

Additional points can be purchased through our online store.

Checking and editing the transcription

As the transcription proceeds, the results are added to the Transcription Panel. When transcription is finished, the text in the transcription panel can be edited by clicking onto a line.

The clip in the viewer will jump to the corresponding time in the media.  Play the media in the viewer to confirm the transcript is correct.  If a word is incorrect, you can double click on the text line to edit it. Once you are happy with the transcript, it is ready for exporting. Various file formats are available for saving to disk, and more are planned.

In most cases, we believe that the fastest and easiest workflow is to send the transcription results directly to Final Cut Pro X. 

Options for sending the Transcription back to FCP X

There are several methods to send the transcription result back to FCP X.

We recommend you choose the option "Note Range", as this option gives you the most flexibility as an editing tool, as the notes are accessible through the Search function in the FCP X media browser. 

IMPORTANT: You must make sure you select “transcribe” in the keyword collection of the Event first before searching.

It is important to note that when you send the result back to FCP X, Scribeomatic will send exactly what it received in terms of media etc.  In other words, even if you only transcribed a few clips, Scribeomatic will send all the clips in the browser back to FCP X.

If you send the results back to the same library from which they came,  FCP X will ask if you want to "Replace" the clips or "Keep Both". If you select "Replace" then the additional transcription information generated by Scribeomatic will added to the existing clips inside the FCP X library, either markers or notes ranges. 

If you select "Keep Both" then every media clip in the event will have a new instance created, and the markers or notes ranges transcription information will be applied to those new duplicates.

NOTE: Scribeomatic never overwrites or modifies any original media.  Results from Scribeomatic are attached as metadata inside the FCP X library.

Scribeomatic Workflow Tips and Limitations

Fastest Workflows:

• For standalone video clips with embedded audio, drop folders of Media from the MacOS finder, transcribe, send created event to FCP X with transcription as Notes Ranges.  
• For Synchronized Clips, sync the clips inside FCP X first, then drag the event into Scribeomatic.  Send back to FCP X as Notes Ranges after transcription.

Other Tips:

• In and out points marked on clips in Events are not exported in FCPXML (which is the format used to transfer the information to Scribeomatic), so we can’t use them to limit transcription.  If you wish to only transcribe sections of long clips, put them into a Project and trim as needed, then transcribe the Project.
• FCP X imposes some limitations on how we can send back the transcription.  For example, you cannot add notes ranges to projects on the timeline and you cannot add captions to clips in the browser.  (See the table below for limitations).
• Notes Ranges is the recommended method for sending back transcription of clips or sync clips in the browser, as it allows easy search from list view in the browser. 
  
  
• For edited projects, use markers if you want text based search. After the project is back in FCP X, view the index then click on tags and you can see the transcription, jump to sections as needed or do a search.
  
  
  
  
• If you wish to burn-in captions, use the send as titles option.  Formatting options for this are currently limited.

Limitations:

• You cannot build a storyboard edit from a transcribed Project.  Sorry.  We may or may not support this in future.
• MXF files can only be read in High Sierra and later macOS versions.

Scribeomatic Send to FCP X Chart:

Type	Send as Markers	Send as Notes Range	Build & Send Storyboard	Send Captions	Send Titles
Clips from finder	Yes	Yes	Yes	only if storyboard	no
Event of clips	Yes	Yes	Yes	only if storyboard	no
Project	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes

Diagrams of workflow options

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