Live Transcription
Turn live speech into on-screen captions in the original language, right in your browser.
Live transcription (Transcribe mode) converts speech to text in real time as you talk. It captures your microphone in the browser and shows rolling captions on screen in the language you are speaking. No download, and no account is required to try it.
This article explains the difference between the Free and Pro transcription engines, and how to start a session.
Free vs Pro
Free uses a browser-based transcription model that anyone can use without an account. It shows live captions in the original spoken language only.
Pro runs Maestra’s higher-accuracy model with automatic punctuation, and unlocks real-time translation to 100+ languages and AI dubbing. Turn it on with the Enable Pro toggle before you start.
| Free | Pro | |
| Live captions in the original language | ✓ | ✓ |
| Higher-accuracy model with punctuation | ✕ | ✓ |
| Real-time translation to 100+ languages | ✕ | ✓ |
| AI dubbing | ✕ | ✓ |
Pro is included in the free trial, so you can test the higher-accuracy model and translation before subscribing.
How to start
- Select the Transcribe tab
live.maestra.ai works best on Chrome.
- Set your language
Choose the language you will be speaking from the dropdown. To use the higher-accuracy model, switch on Enable Pro, which also adds Detect Language if you are unsure of the language.
- Allow microphone access
Click the microphone button and choose Allow when your browser prompts.
If you denied microphone access by mistake, you will need to allow it again. On Chrome, click the info icon (the circled "i") at the left of the address bar, open Site settings, set Microphone to Allow, then reload the page.
- Start speaking
Speak at a steady pace. Captions should appear right away.
Getting the best results
- Use a headset or USB microphone. Built-in laptop mics pick up keyboard noise and room echo; a close mic gives a cleaner signal.
- Speak in complete sentences. Full phrases transcribe more accurately than short fragments or single words.
- Add specialist terms to the Custom Dictionary. Product names, acronyms, and technical vocabulary transcribe more reliably once added.
Need translation or voice?
Transcribe mode shows captions in the original language only. To also display captions in another language, switch to Translate mode; to hear the translation spoken aloud by an AI voice, use Dubbing mode. Both require a paid plan.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can transcribe live for free, no account or credit card needed. The higher-accuracy Pro engine requires a paid plan, with a free trial to start.
Pro uses a much higher-accuracy model with automatic punctuation, and unlocks real-time translation, AI dubbing, auto language detection, multiple input languages, saved session recordings, AI summaries, a custom dictionary, and more...
Maestra supports 100+ languages for live transcription, including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, German, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Hindi, Korean, and Turkish. See the full language list.
In non-Pro (Free) mode, pick your source language before you start. Pro adds Detect Language, which identifies the spoken language for you. It also lets you select multiple input languages at once.