Transcribe!
Transcribe! is desktop software for figuring out music from recordings so you can write it down or play it yourself.
What Transcribe! is
Transcribe! is desktop software for figuring out music from recordings so you can write it down or play it yourself. It assists listening and analysis rather than converting audio into musical notation or MIDI. Playback can slow without changing pitch, alter pitch and speed, and save named loops. Waveform markers can identify sections, measures, and beats, with labels, annotations, and playback from selected points. A spectrum view displays pitch strengths, while note and chord guesses appear on a piano keyboard or piano roll. The program reads many audio types and CDs, records from cassette or vinyl sources, and displays video for most video files. Real-time effects include EQ, tuning, transposition, mono or karaoke mixing, and speed from one twentieth to double speed. Automation can process or play files with selected effects. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. A single copy costs $39.00 USD once, with a 30-day trial.
Good
- Slows playback without changing pitch
- Named loops and waveform annotations
- Chord guesses on keyboard or piano roll
- Reads audio, CDs, and many videos
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Watch out
- Does not generate notation or MIDI
- No iPad, iPhone, or Android version
- Not an audio editor
- Single license covers limited computers
Who it suits
It suits musicians, learners, and speech users who want to analyze recordings, practice with slowed playback, or work with foot pedals.
Verdict
Transcribe! offers detailed playback, looping, waveform marking, and chord-analysis tools for desktop users. Choose it when you want to work out recordings manually rather than receive automatic notation or MIDI.
Plans and prices
From Transcribe!'s own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Transcribe! multiple copies (100 or more) | $15, paid once | 100 or more copies; one person or organisation owns and controls all copies · $15 per copy |
| Transcribe! multiple copies (20–99) | $20, paid once | 20–99 copies; one person or organisation owns and controls all copies · $20 per copy |
| Transcribe! multiple copies (5–19) | $25, paid once | 5–19 copies; one person or organisation owns and controls all copies · $25 per copy |
| Transcribe! multiple copies (2–4) | $31, paid once | 2–4 copies; one person or organisation owns and controls all copies · $31 per copy |
| Transcribe! single copy | $39, paid once | One computer, or up to three computers for your exclusive use · $39 for a single copy, plus any local taxes |
The facts
Each one read from Transcribe!'s own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audio and video
- It reads many audio file types and audio CDs, can record from analog sources such as cassette or vinyl, and can display video for most video files.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Automation or scripting can run commands from a file to process sound files or play files with selected effects.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Chord analysis
- Its spectrum feature displays pitch strengths, and note and chord guessing can show estimates on a piano keyboard or piano roll.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Effects
- Real-time effects include slowdown, pitch change, EQ filtering, mono or karaoke mixing, tuning, transposition, and variable speed from one twentieth to double speed.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License
- One license permits use on one computer, or up to three computers if the program is for the buyer's exclusive use on all of them.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Not an audio editor
- The maker says Transcribe! plays and records audio and can save modified audio to a new sound file, but it is not an audio editor.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Not a notation generator
- Transcribe! does not process an audio file and output musical notation or MIDI, and it does not handle MIDI files.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Playback tools
- It can slow music without changing pitch, change pitch and speed, and store and recall named loops.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Practice and speech use
- The maker says the software is also used for play-along practice and speech transcription, with foot-pedal support and slowed-down playback.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Transcribe! assists people in working out music from recordings so they can write it out or play it themselves; it does not do the transcription for them.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker asks users to check the FAQ first and provides an email address for remaining software questions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Waveform navigation
- The waveform view supports markers for sections, measures and beats, descriptive labels, textual annotations, and playback from selected points.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Company and author
- The site identifies Seventh String Software as the maker and names Andy Robinson as the author of Transcribe!.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms and mobile support
- The product is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux; the maker says there is no iPad, iPhone, or Android version and none is planned.checked 7 Oct 2026
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