Was the Recorder in the Other Room?

I’ve worked a deal where I can do some overtime to transcribe a tape we received of a hearing that took place a couple weeks ago. It won’t be an official transcript, but it will be a document that Mr. BIL can use until an official transcript can be requested, if necessary.

I got all my regular work done and after a quick mental break I set up my manual dictaphone and sat down to type.

The sound quality is absolute CRAP. Seriously – I can barely hear anyone speak other than the judge. Obviously they don’t have microphones available for the attorneys to use, because I can’t hear a damn thing they are saying. I’ve got the volume MAXED OUT not only on my headphones but on the dictaphone itself. The judge is deafening, but the others folks can still barely be heard, and I’m not sure my transcription is going to end up being anything other than long lines showing that I couldn’t understand what was being said on the tape.

It’s a joke. Good thing we only paid 50 cents for the tape. But I can’t help but think that they deliberately copied it at a low volume. This particular county courthouse is not fond of the attorney who originated the case (and who has contacted Mr. BIL for help).

02 comments on “Was the Recorder in the Other Room?

  • jen , Direct link to comment

    Ok I was an old reader and then just came back a few months ago but what does Mr. BIL stand for? Was it Boss I Like? I thought I knew but I must be suffering from mental decay here…

    and that is truly annoying about the tape, I must say. Do they have a $5000 version where you can hear it?

    jen’s last blog post..a head-scratcher

  • Jaynee , Direct link to comment

    Jen, Mr. BIL stands for “Mr. Brother In Law” because when I first interviewed with my current boss he reminded me a lot of my sister’s husband.

    And if there’s a $5,000 version I’d be surprised – the county where this was recorded doesn’t have a lot of newer equipment. Now MY county (Mecklenburg) has a new courthouse that has all the bells and whistles in the courtrooms. So those tapes are GREAT.

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