Transcribe a Zoom recording

Which files Zoom creates

Zoom has two kinds of recordings: on your computer (computer recording, formerly local recording) and in the cloud. According to Zoom's overview of recording file formats both produce the same kinds of files:

Route A: recording on your computer

Recording on your computer works with a free Zoom account too, but only in the desktop app for Windows, macOS or Linux. It does not work on a phone or tablet. The host has to give you permission if you are not the host yourself.

1. 1
   Record and let Zoom convertClick Record in the meeting and choose to record on this computer. After the meeting Zoom converts the recording into files. Do not close your laptop or shut down your computer before that finishes.
2. 2
   Open the folderBy default everything is in Documents/Zoom, with a subfolder per meeting. On Windows that is C:\Users\[name]\Documents\Zoom, on a Mac /Users/[name]/Documents/Zoom. In the Zoom app you can also get there via Home > Open recordings, then My files > Meeting recordings > Computer recordings: click the three dots next to the meeting and choose the file location.
3. 3
   Upload the m4a fileDrag the file that starts with audio and ends in .m4a onto Spraak naar tekst in the Murmel Studio. More on this format at m4a to text.
4. 4
   Correct, rename and exportMurmel recognises the speakers. Give them their names, replay doubtful passages and export to Word, PDF, TXT, SRT or another format.

Source for the folders and menu names: Managing computer recordings, Zoom Support.

Route B: recording in the Zoom cloud

Cloud recordings exist only on paid accounts (Pro, Business or Enterprise), and only the host can start them. They live in the Zoom web portal. According to Zoom's guide to finding recordings you proceed as follows:

1. 1
   Sign in at zoom.usChoose Recordings & Transcripts in the menu and then the Cloud recordings tab. Adjust the date range if needed.
2. 2
   Download the audio fileOpen the recording and download the audio-only file (M4A). If it is not there, take the MP4. A recording has to finish processing before you can download it.
3. 3
   Upload to MurmelSame as above: drag the file onto Spraak naar tekst. You can upload several recordings at once.

Common problems

• The folder is empty or contains .zoom files. Conversion was interrupted, for example by closing your laptop. Go to Computer recordings in the Zoom app and click Convert next to the meeting.
• No Record button. You are not the host and do not have permission, or recording to your computer is off in your Zoom settings (Settings > Recording > Record to computer files). If the toggle is greyed out, the admin has locked it.
• Recording on your phone. The Zoom app on iOS and Android cannot record locally. Use a cloud recording, or record the conversation with the Opnemen (record) button in the Murmel Studio if your phone is in the same room.
• Each speaker in a separate file. That happens when the separate audio tracks option is on. Upload the regular audio file without a name in it; it contains everyone and Murmel separates the speakers.

Frequently asked questions