Welcome to the FTW Transcriber.
The FTW Transcriber is transcription software for Windows that offers great time-saving features like automatic timestamps and superior sound quality, plus much more. It’s used by thousands of solo transcribers, police forces, hospitals, parliaments, and firms of all kinds.
Look at the list of features below, then try the FTW Transcriber FREE!
- enhanced audio quality
- automatic adding of timestamps and frames – huge time-saver! (optional)
- saves different timestamp and hotkey settings for different clients
- enables you to send timestamp/hotkey settings to other transcribers to ensure consistent house style
- plays huge range of file types (including dss/ds2)
- compatible with ALL word processors!
- timestamp formatting – add them in the format of your choice
- start timestamps from any timecode, not just 00:00:00
- hotkeys for common transcription phrases like “overtalking” or “unclear”
- bookmark feature
- ability to regularly insert the current time of day in your location, manually or automatically
- plays video files (mpeg, wmv, flv, etc) with visuals displayed
- plays files either on your local drive or on remote servers without downloading first!
- local files play instantly – no wait for loading (except dss/ds2)
- balance and speed adjuster
- can be controlled with hotkeys or pedals (Infinity, Olympus, Philips, Grundig)
- pedal switch ff/rew
- friendly and prompt support, at no charge, permanently!
- free use of Generic File Converter – click here for info.
Who uses the FTW Transcriber?

Transcription Exercise 26 – Animal Vocabulary
If you're a professional transcriptionist looking to keep your vocabulary agile and your recognition skills strong, this video exercise is for you. Transcription isn't just about fast typing—it's about understanding context and catching nuanced meanings quickly. Our...

Transcription Exercise 25 – Noisy Proverbs 2
If you’re a professional transcriptionist looking to challenge your ears and refine your listening accuracy, this new video is made for you. We’ve created a unique exercise that features 10 English proverbs played with progressively reduced background noise. Your...

Transcription Exercise 24 – Cutting the Unbiblical Cord
Think You're Catching Every Word? You Might Be Surprised As professional transcriptionists, we pride ourselves on accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail. But even the best of us occasionally mishear a word or two—especially when dealing with unclear audio,...

Transcription Exercise 23 – Quotes From Shakespeare
If you're a professional transcriptionist, you already know how important it is to recognize common references and idioms—especially when they come from classic literature. In our latest video, we take a trip to London’s Globe Theatre to explore ten well-known quotes...

Transcription Exercise 22 – UK-US Car Vocabulary
Understanding British vs. American Car Vocabulary – A Must for Transcriptionists As professional transcriptionists, we often encounter audio that crosses regional boundaries—whether it's a British podcast, an American interview, or a multinational conference call....
FTW Transcriber Video (3.5 mins)
May 26th 2025 4.4 – ability to regularly insert the current date and time of day in your location, manually and/or automatically.
May 22nd 2025 4.4 – ability to use keyboard combinations such as CTRL-G as hotkeys.
May 7th 2025 4.4 – minor fixes and updates.
November 13th 2024 4.3 – minor fixes and updates.
November 21st 2023 4.3 – ability to auto-convert m4a to wav; other minor fixes and updates.
November 29th 2022 4.3 – ability to add timestamps to Word from clipboard; other minor updates.
August 1st 2022 4.2 – At end, audio file doesn’t jump to start; playback speed is saved; Always On Top setting fixed
July 23rd 2021 4.1 – Added: hotkeys for increase speed, decrease speed, toggle between 100% and custom speed
January 25th 2021 4.0 – minor changes and fixes
March 20th 2020 3.9 – minor changes and fixes