When using microcassettes, record on 2.4 inches per second (ips) speed instead of 1.2 ips. This will greatly enhance the audio quality of your recording and can also prevent unnecessary sticker shock (1.2 ips gives you twice as many minutes on a recorded side of tape).

For VHS tape recordings, choose standard play versus the extended play option. Rewinding is difficult with compressed tapes, as it generally takes you back much further than you want to go so it considerably slows down the transcription process.

Before sending work to VoType, please check the sound. Sometimes, the sound is not good enough to make transcription possible or accurate. Also, a tape occasionally does not record. If you listen and can't hear much, it's best not to send the work.

Any supplementary materials that you can send -- a conference agenda, a glossary, perhaps a description of the speakers if they are on video and unidentified will greatly help to create a more complete and accurate transcript for you.

If you're shipping video or audio tapes, pack them in padded envelopes. The padding helps to assure that the tapes are delivered safely and in good working order.

For the protection of your content and everyone's peace of mind, send copies of tapes rather than the masters. Tapes rarely get lost, but if they do, a copy can be replaced. Even better, create digital copies of the content and upload it. It's faster, safer and cheaper.

Before recording, consider your environment. Are the microphones well positioned? What is the ambient noise level of the place where you've chosen to speak? These decisions can greatly affect the quality of your recording and the level of difficulty of the transcription.

Use new tapes for your work. When work is recorded over old recordings, it is easy to get confused about what needs to be transcribed and what is old material. New tapes will eliminate that potentially costly mistake.