Dictate in any app · Media

Voice typing in Audacity

Audacity edits audio and has nothing to say about the script that produced it. Typally works at the keyboard level, so anywhere Audacity accepts typing, it accepts your voice instead.

This is a vendor guide from the makers of Typally. Anything we say about Audacity is worth verifying — third-party features change without notice.
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In short

  • Audacity's own dictation: None. It is an audio editor with label tracks for annotation.
  • What Typally does instead: types into the focused window, so it works in Audacity and everywhere else you write.
  • Best used for: episode scripts

Does Audacity have built-in dictation?

None. It is an audio editor with label tracks for annotation.

Why dictate in Audacity at all?

Podcasters and voiceover artists write scripts, show notes and episode descriptions — all text — and then spend hours in a waveform. The writing happens before and after the part the tool is for.

In practice people use it for: Episode scripts, show notes, episode descriptions, label track annotations, and guest outreach email.

How to dictate in Audacity

Nothing changes inside Audacity itself. Typally sits in the tray and types into the focused window:

1

Install Typally

Windows or macOS, then sign in. No card for the free tier.

2

Focus the Audacity field you want the words in

The cursor position is the whole instruction — Audacity routes the keystrokes from there.

3

Hold the hotkey and talk

Say the whole thought, then let go. No time limit.

4

Read it before you move on

Audacity's label tracks accept text, but everything else is a keyboard shortcut. Make sure a label is being edited.

What Typally adds in Audacity

Typally types into whatever you write show notes in, so the notes get made while the episode is fresh. The cleanup pass punctuates the result, which matters when show notes are the text search engines and podcast apps actually read.

What this looks like in practice

A podcaster speaks the show notes straight after each recording rather than a week later. Episodes go out with real timestamps and topic summaries, which listeners actually use.

One habit that makes it work better

Dictate the show notes immediately after recording, while you remember what was actually said. Written a week later they are a guess.

What to watch out for in Audacity

Audacity's label tracks accept text, but everything else is a keyboard shortcut. Make sure a label is being edited.

Frequently asked questions

Does Audacity transcribe audio?

No. It is an editor; transcription of your recordings is a separate tool.

Where does dictation help a podcaster?

Scripts before, show notes and descriptions after. Both are prose and both are chores.

Can I dictate label track text?

Yes, once you are editing a label.

Try it in Audacity

Start on the free plan (100 minutes a month, no card). Pro lifts the cap and adds meeting notes for $7.99/month.

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Also dictate in: Adobe Audition · Riverside · YouTube · Camtasia · Vimeo · see all apps