As of 2014 we recommend not using any recorder that records in a proprietary dictation format. All of these formats are decidedly inferior to more capable digital recorders that cost about the same money.

That said, we are capable of transcribing your dictation recorded on digital dictation devices such as the Olympus DSS Voice recorders or Sony DVF. However, we highly recommend that you upgrade to one of our recommended digital recorders.

Please keep in mind that dictation recording devices were designed for close proximity dictation. (Holding the device close to your mouth while dictating)

Set the device to record in "high-quality" mode as opposed to "Long-Play" mode. High Quality mode might also be called "Standard-Play" mode on your device depending on make and model. In general you want the format that creates the highest quality audio recording, not the smallest file.

When not to use a DSS Digital Voice Recorder.

We do not recommend these recorders for recording any type of audio other than dictation. The DSS compression employed in these devices is quite heavy and the microphones built into them are of inferior quality. Heavy compression results in poorer sound quality and the microphones are designed to pick-up audio 6 to 8 inches from the device, not 3 to 4 feet away. This can be helped somewhat by attaching an external microphone, but the heavy compression still makes for less than ideal audio when not recording dictation.

If you plan to record a lot of interviews, lectures, or speeches, we would recommend that you consider instead a digital recorder. It is the most current technology, comparably priced and provides much higher sound quality.

DSS files DO NOT qualify for Type-1 pricing.

Uploading DSS files

Our preferred method of accepting DSS files is via our Easy Upload file system in the client area.

To access the client area, sign up for an account and a login and password will be e-mailed to you.

While we do not recommend it, you can also e-mail us small DSS files, under 5 MB in size per file. E-mailing digital audio files is not reliable due to the increasing amount of e-mail SPAM and the methods used to combat it. E-mailing files will result in delays in processing your order.