To convert a FLAC file to text, send it to the Potok bot on Telegram and read the transcript in the chat. FLAC compresses audio without losing any information, so long field recordings and archive rips are safe to send as they are. Files up to 2 GB are accepted. Export TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT or VTT.
Transcribe a recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram
Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- A FLAC file is usually about half the size of the same audio as WAV.
- Common sources are CD rips, field recorders, studio exports and music libraries kept in lossless form.
- Embedded cover art and tags add some weight, but they do not change what is recognised.
- A whole album in one file is unusual, so check the length before you send it.
How to do it
- Identify the file. FLAC files end in .flac. A rip of a spoken word CD often arrives as one file per track.
- Check bit depth and length. A 24 bit recording at a high sample rate is much bigger than a CD rip. Compare it with the 2 GB limit.
- Send it. Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram and attach the file. Big ones use the Upload button.
- Pick labels. For a panel or a seminar, turn speaker labels on.
- Export and keep the master. Choose DOCX or TXT, and keep the FLAC as the master recording.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Neighbours, thank you for coming out in this wind.
[00:05] Speaker 2: Is it true the bridge will be closed all summer?
[00:10] Speaker 1: Only for two weeks, and the ferry runs meanwhile.
Sample text written by us to show the layout of a transcript. It is not the output of the recognition engine and not a real recording.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| File size | Up to 2 GB |
| Export | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
| Languages | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| Translation | The transcript is not translated into another language |
| Dictation | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sending a whole audiobook as one giant FLAC | The file may pass 2 GB, and the transcript becomes unwieldy. | Send it by chapter. |
| Re-saving the FLAC as a low bitrate MP3 first | You lose detail that lossless storage was keeping. | Send the FLAC directly. |
| Assuming the lossless file fixes a noisy room | FLAC stores noise exactly as well as speech. | Record nearer to the speaker next time. |
| Mixing up tracks from a multi-disc rip | Transcripts of separate tracks end up out of order. | Name the files in sequence and send them in that order. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is a FLAC file?
FLAC compresses audio without losing any information. The decoded sound is identical to the original.
How big is FLAC compared with WAV?
A FLAC file is usually about half the size of the same audio as WAV.
Is FLAC better than MP3 for transcription?
It keeps more detail, which helps with quiet speech. A clear voice and little noise still matter more.
Can I send a FLAC that has cover art?
Yes. Tags and pictures inside the file do not stop it from being read.
What is the largest FLAC I can send?
Files up to 2 GB are supported, through the Upload button for the large ones.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- FLAC (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Megabyte (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Try it on your own recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram