Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech-recognition software that turns the sound signals of your voice into text output. Instead of typing texts, you say what you want to write, and Dragon will take care of it for you.
It has been around for a long time. It is useful for transcribing speech into text, either as an installed software on your computer or as a transcriber.
You can use a voice recorder to record audio and process the audio through the software. It would transcribe what you recorded ahead of time. There’s no need for you to type texts, emails, or any other type of text items or lists.
You can even use this technique to write a book.
You can dictate articles or blog posts through Dragon Naturally Speaking. It’s also useful for filling out forms.
Indeed, using Dragon software works well with any text document on your computer. That’s how versatile, flexible, and powerful this software solution can be.
Dictate Wherever You Go, Whenever You Want, and Transcribe With Dragon Software
You may be thrilled at the idea of being able to dictate a new blog post, a novel, or an article, wherever you are and whenever you want.
Just dictate into your digital voice recorder. Once you get home, transfer the audio data from your dictaphone to your computer. Dragon Naturally Speaking will convert the audio file into a text document.
It transcribes files almost instantly. Of course, it has to go through a transcription process, but the software does this for you.
Different Flavors of Dragon Naturally Speaking Depending on Your Workstyle
You can get Dragon Naturally Speaking in many different packages:
- Dragon Professional Individual
- Dragon Home
- Dragon Premium
- DragonDictate (also known as Dragon for Mac)
- Dragon Anywhere (a mobile app)
For a more up-to-date listing of the different software packages, check out its website.
Choose the products and items that best fit your situation.
The Best Version for Bloggers
Are you a blogger interested in using Dragon Naturally Speaking? If so, we suggest Dragon Professional Individual. It is a professional-grade version of the software intended for business professionals in a formal or home office setting.
You can also use the Dragon Home edition. It has fewer features. It assumes that you speak very clearly and even in a slow manner. If this is you, this should be enough.
No matter how you cut it, this software makes the whole transcription process easier. Is it perfect? Of course not! It has its drawbacks.
The chief among these is in terms of accuracy. You have to “train” this software to get used to your particular way of speaking so it can recognize how you pronounce certain words. Don’t expect it to produce a perfect transcription the first time you use it. Train it until its output gets more accurate.
Good News: 80-90% of the time, it is accurate. If it is not, closely read the transcription and search for any inaccuracy.
For words that it often gets wrong, you must train this software by using those words until it does a better job next time. It may be a hassle at first, but training your Dragon software is time well spent. It allows you to make your transcription work faster.
You can focus on dictating and then editing. You do not need to waste time picking apart your transcript. Best of all, there’s no need for manual transcribers. You can do this all just with software.
You save time and money.
Which Digital Voice Recorders Work Best With Dragon Software?
For digital voice recorders, you have many options. Some of them are very cheap models that are practically throw-away devices. You can pick them up for around $20, but more robust products cost well over $400.
These product lines don’t just differ by price. The closer you get to $400, the more sensitive the digital voice recorder’s microphone becomes. It also has longer battery life.
If you only want to do a quick and dirty job every time you dictate, it’s easy to pick up a cheap dictaphone. That’s not a problem. But if you want to make things easier on yourself in transcribing using Dragon software, choose the more expensive but better device.
Spend extra cash buying the right device. It will allow you to record audio that is clear enough to be transcribed by Dragon software with consistency and accuracy. It’s an investment that helps saves you even more time and money.
Both dictation and transcription go hand in hand. The higher the quality of your dictation, the higher odds the transcription will look the way you wanted.
There are high quality and sensitive enough digital voice recorders that are not so expensive but work well. If you’re looking for a safe bet in terms of brands, the professional dictation bloggers’ choice is limited to either Sony or Olympus. Most of their models are Nuance-approved.
This recognition is good because Dragon Naturally Speaking is developed by Nuance Communications – a software company that works on artificial intelligence but is known primarily for the Dragon product line.
Olympus and Sony products have high compliance with Dragon software. In other words, their output is clear enough for Dragon to produce high-quality texts.
Here are my top picks for Digital Voice Recorders That Work With Dragon Software
Sony ICD-BM1 Digital Voice Recorder
This model has an easy slide control switch, a removable memory stick (128 flash memory), has a lightweight design. Has around 6 hours of recording time. Compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Software, microphone, computer, and USB connectivity with a USB cable, voice to email function, battery life varies with use. Compatible with Dragon Dictation Software.
Pros
- Small and light
- Works great with Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
- Easy to use with the slide switch function
- Sleek looking with aluminum body
- Great recorder for interviews
- Voice email function.
Cons
- Slide switch function makes a click sound
- MSV format only plays on PC/ compatibility problems
- Batteries are not rechargeable
Check for availability and latest pricing
Sony ICD-SX712D Digital Voice Recorder
This model offers 2 GB of flash memory and features a 2-position Microphone and S microphone system. Records in Multi-Mp3 formats and Linear PCM. And it also features Voice operated Recordings, Voice Email Function, 6-line LCD screen, additional 16GB memory with SD Card Slot.
Pros:
- Easy to use device and software
- Long battery life
- Solid microphone
- USB connectivity
- Excellent sound quality
Cons:
- Batteries are not rechargeable
- Cannot pick-up sounds/audio from a distance.
Check for availability and latest pricing
Sony ICD- UX200 Digital Voice Recorder
This model comes with 2GB of flash memory that can give you a maximum recording time of 535 hours. It records in MP3 format. This recorder has 5 recording moes and an audio monitoring mode. Has a Built-in stereo microphone, built-in speaker and records clear recording with its noise cut features. It is compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking software.
Pros:
- Very Functional design
- Easy to use and operate
- PC connectivity
- Great battery life
- Enough storage
Cons:
- Weak External speaker
- Cannot do dictation editing
- Size is too small
Check for availability and latest pricing
Sony ICD-P330F Digital Voice Recorder
This unit delivers 32 hours of recording time, has a large LCD display, features an FM tuner with 50 presets, and Digital VOR. Compatible with Dragon Dictation Software.
Pros:
- Easy to use function
- Small and portable
- Has FM radio
- Can transfer files directly to computer
- Good recording quality
Cons:
- Battery drains quickly
- Batteries are not rechargeable
- Needs to improve noise reduction
Check for availability and latest pricing
Sony ICD-SX57DR9
This model has 128MB flash memory and features a High performance microphone with a slim and stylish design. Easy to use controls for easy operation. Compatible with PC via USB cable. Features Digital Voice Up and Voice Operated Recording, Digital Pitch Control, and MP3 Playback. MP3 files can be converted into WAV with the Digital Editor Software. Compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Software, with rechargeable batteries and USB docking station.
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality
- Two microphones
- Rechargeable batteries
- Efficient recording
- Compatible with Dragon Software
Cons:
- Hard to read display
- File is not in MP3
- Compatibility problems
Check for availability and latest pricing
Olympus WS- 320/310/300M digital voice recorders
These model all features 1GB internal memory, and up to 277 hours of audio/recording time. Compatible with Dragon Software. Has a built-in music player that can play audio files, MP3 files. Has a USB port for connectivity, a microphone, and a voice command feature for hands-free recording. Power-efficient using AAA batteries.
Pros:
- Compact
- Hands-free recording
- USB connectivity
- Large memory
- Stereo microphones
Cons:
- Battery drains quickly
- Batteries are no Rechargeable
- Poor Case design
Check for availability and latest pricing
Olympus DS4000 Professional Digital Voice Recorder
Ships with 32MB internal memory, easy control buttons, voice recognition, and speech recognition engine, LCD Display, and noise-canceling technology for the best audio quality.
Pros:
- Full metal body with ergonomic design
- Produces quality recording
- Expandable memory
- Compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking software
- Can organize files into folders
- USB connectivity
Cons:
- Fragile device
- Batteries are not rechargeable
- Pricey due to initial memory size
Check for availability and latest pricing
Olympus DS-3300 Digital Recorder
This model ships with 32MB memory and programmable buttons. Features an LCD screen, microphone, and USB connectivity. Compatible with Dragon Dictation Software.
Pros:
- Versatile device
- Expandable memory
- Long battery life
- Compatible with Dragon Speaking Software
- Easy recording and playback
Cons:
- Adequate sound quality
- Only ideal for recording in a quiet environment
- Noise canceling is bad.
Check for availability and latest pricing
Olympus DS-7000 Digital Recorder
This unit offers superior audio quality for superb voice recording, 256-bit file encryption, built-in microphone, 2inch color LCD, memory card slots (Micro/SD), enhanced battery, and slide controls. Compatible with Dragon Dictation Software.
Pros:
- Create secure recordings 256-bit file encryption
- Superior sound quality
- Compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
- Easy to use device and software
- Compatible with Mac and PC
Cons:
- Complicated Menu
- ODMS software is not reliable
Check for availability and latest pricing
Olympus DS2600 Digital Recorder
Starts off with 2GB memory, and a slot for 32GB external memory. Software is included, so you can use Dragon speech recognition software. Features slide switch controls, digital voice editor, and a replaceable battery. Rechargeable battery, and can last up to 52 hours.
Pros:
- Omni-directional Microphone
- Expandable memory
- Easy to use editing functions
- Rechargeable batteries
- Compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
- Voice activated recording
Cons:
- Rechargeable batteries are not included
- Problems with playback in the computer
- Relatively thin plastic housing
Check for availability and latest pricing
The Final Word on Dragon-compliant digital voice recorders
If you want to get the best results with any Dragon voice to text software, make sure you are using fully-compliant hardware.
As you can tell from the listing above, there is no such thing as a perfect product. Pick the product that best fits your circumstances and expectations and you’ll be on your way to great dictations and high quality Dragon-powered automated transcriptions.
I’ve been dictation blogging for over 9 years now and it’s truly changed my life. I teach fellow bloggers the ins and outs of voice blogging so they can take their productivity to a whole new level.
