This is another effort for the "shorthand preservation society": I spent last week converting shorthand records to mp3 format, so that I could play them easily on my Kindle via Evernote. I used Audacity to clean them up and remove most of the static. I thought others might find these useful, too.
The first set is called Gregg Student Dictation Practice Records -- Speed Set Four (1963). It contains 4 seven-inch floppy vinyl records. They were in pretty rough shape (very staticky; and nicks caused skips in the speech in a couple places). But thanks to Audacity, they are much improved and very usable now. This set is beginner friendly. There is no transcript available, though a few of the more challenging terms are shown in shorthand (presumably Diamond Jubilee) for each record on the record sleeves (.jpeg scans provided). This set provides practice at 50, 60, 70 & 80 WPM.
The second set is called
Conversa-phone Steno Booster S-201 (1973). It is a single 12" record. It includes a small booklet (.pdf scan provided) with the dictation letters typed out (no shorthand is provided, however, since this is not shorthand system-specific-- it can be used with any type of shorthand). The terminology in these letters is a lot more challenging. It provides practice at 50, 60, 70 & 80 WPM.
Attachment: greggspeedset4.zip
Attachment: conversa-phone.zip
Happy practicing!
Labels: dictation