Bulk Transcription: Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to upload files, track processing, and download your transcripts.
Pricing — per batch
Each batch is a separate payment. Volume pricing applies automatically at checkout based on the number of completed files in that batch — upload more later and you'll pay again at the tier matching the new batch's size.
| Batch size | Price per file | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 files | $6.00 / file | 3 files = $18.00 |
| 6–10 files | $5.00 / file | 8 files = $40.00 |
| 11–15 files | $4.75 / file | 12 files = $57.00 |
| 16–49 files | $4.50 / file | 35 files = $157.50 |
| 50–99 files | $4.00 / file | 75 files = $300.00 |
| 100–249 files | $3.50 / file | 175 files = $612.50 |
| 250+ files | $3.00 / file | 300 files = $900.00 |
All prices include speaker identification. Failed and no-speech files are not billed. The price you pay is for that batch only — your next upload is a separate payment, repriced by the new batch's size.
How your file limit works
New accounts start with 100 uploads. Each time you pay for a batch, 100 more slots unlock automatically — no manual requests needed.
| Files | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| 100 files | New account | Upload up to 100 files |
| 200 files | After first payment | Automatic unlock |
| +100 files | Each subsequent payment | Keeps growing |
Getting Started
- Create an account at /bulk/signup. You will receive a verification email — click the link to activate your account and get your dashboard link.
- Your access link looks like:
https://brasstranscripts.com/bulk/your-account-name?token=... - Bookmark your access link or save it somewhere safe.
- Your access link is valid for 10 days. If it expires, visit /bulk/login to have a fresh link emailed to you.
Logging In
- Open your access link — you are automatically logged in via the token in the URL. No password needed.
- Your session is stored in your browser. You can close and reopen the tab without losing access (as long as your 10-day token has not expired).
- Opening from a different device: use the original access link again to re-authenticate.
- Need a new link? Visit /bulk/login — enter your email and we will send a fresh link instantly.
Uploading Your Files
Supported formats
MP3, MP4, M4A, AAC, WAV, FLAC, OGG, Opus, WebM, MPEG, MPGA
File limits
450MB per file maximum — typically covers several hours of compressed audio per recording.
- Drag and drop files onto the upload area, or click the upload zone to browse your computer.
- You can upload files in multiple batches — keep adding until you are ready to process.
- Files show as Ready once uploaded and ready for processing.
- Important: Do not refresh the page while files are actively uploading.
Starting Processing
- Once you have uploaded all your files, click Start Processing.
- You will see status updates in real time on the dashboard as each file completes.
- You can add more files after starting — upload additional files and click Start Processing again. Files already processing continue unaffected.
Important: Once you have paid, no additional files can be uploaded to that batch. To start a new batch, drop new files directly into the same dashboard — your file limit carries over automatically. If you have closed the tab or your link has expired, visit your account login to get a fresh link.
Understanding File Status
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Ready | Uploaded and waiting to be processed. Click Start Processing to begin. |
| Processing | Being transcribed right now. Status will update automatically when complete. |
| Completed | Transcript is ready. You can download it now. |
| Failed | Something went wrong during processing. See troubleshooting below. |
| No speech | No spoken words detected in this file (silent or music-only). The file is not billed and does not count against your file limit. |
| Duplicate | A file with this name was already added. Remove it before processing to avoid transcribing the same file twice. |
Checkout and Payment
- Once all files show Completed, the Pay & Download All button will unlock.
- You will see a summary of your batch: file count and total price before proceeding.
- Pricing is based on the number of completed files. See bulk pricing details in our FAQ.
- You are taken to a secure LemonSqueezy checkout page to complete payment.
- After payment, you are redirected back to your dashboard where downloads are immediately active.
- You will receive a payment confirmation email from LemonSqueezy.
Downloading Your Transcripts
- Once you have paid, you can download individual transcripts or the full batch as a ZIP.
- Download All (ZIP) — downloads every completed transcript in a single ZIP file. This is the fastest option for large batches.
- Individual download — click the download button next to any file to download that transcript alone.
- Transcripts are TXT files with speaker labels and timestamps.
10-day download window
Each paid batch is available for download for 10 days from the payment date. After that, files are permanently deleted from our servers. You can always see the expiry date in the Completed Orders section on your dashboard.
Troubleshooting
File failed to process
Click the Retry button next to the file. If it fails again after retrying, contact support with the filename and we will investigate.
Stuck on Processing
Wait a few minutes and refresh the page. If a file shows Processing for more than 15 minutes, contact support.
Cannot log in / link expired
Access links are valid for 10 days. If your link has expired, visit /bulk/login to have a fresh link emailed to you instantly.
Download link not working
Confirm it is within 10 days of your payment. Each batch has a 10-day download window from the payment date. Files are permanently deleted after this period and cannot be recovered.
Payment page will not load
Make sure all files have finished processing. The Pay & Download All button is only available when there are no files still uploading or processing.
File shows as "Duplicate"
A file with the same name was already added to the list. Click Remove on the duplicate entry before processing to avoid transcribing it twice.
File shows "No speech detected"
The file completed processing but contained no detectable speech (e.g., silence, music, noise). These files are not billed and do not count against your file limit. No action needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a subscription? Do I pay once for the year?
No — bulk is not a subscription. Each batch you upload is a separate payment. Volume pricing applies per batch based on its size, so 50 files in one batch costs less per file than 50 files split across ten batches of 5.
Can I add more files after I have started processing?
Yes, but only before payment. Upload more files and click Start Processing again. Files already processing continue unaffected. Once you have paid, no additional files can be uploaded.
What if some files fail?
Failed files are not included in your checkout total. You can re-upload and reprocess them before paying, or pay for the completed files first and contact support about the failures.
What does "No speech detected" mean?
The file was processed successfully but contained no detectable spoken words — typically silence, background music, or noise. These files are not billed and do not count against your file limit.
What does "Duplicate" mean?
You added a file with the same name more than once. The dashboard flags it so you can remove it before processing. Click Remove on the duplicate row — the original copy remains.
Can I start a new batch after payment?
Yes. After payment, drop new files directly into the same dashboard — the upload zone stays open. Each payment unlocks 100 additional file slots automatically. If you have closed the tab or your link has expired, visit /bulk/login to get a fresh link.
What format are my transcripts in?
TXT files with speaker labels. Depending on your project setup, this is either standard format (clean text with periodic timestamps) or fully timestamped segments ([00:00 - 00:15] SPEAKER_01: text on every line). Your project email will note which format applies.
When does bulk save money vs. single-file pricing?
Bulk pricing matches single-file pricing for the first 5 files ($6.00/file). Volume discounts kick in at file 6 ($5.00/file), 11 ($4.75), 16 ($4.50), 50 ($4.00), 100 ($3.50), and 250+ ($3.00) — saving up to 50% compared to processing each file individually.
Who do I contact if I have a problem?
Email . Include your project name and a description of the issue and we will get back to you promptly.
Questions? We are here to help.
Reach out any time and we will respond promptly.