After a meeting you are often left with a recording and no notes. Here is how to turn the recording into text and then into proper meeting minutes.
1. Before recording
- Tell participants you are recording and get their consent. Recording laws differ by country and, in the US, by state: some places only require one participant's consent, while others require everyone's. The simple rule is to tell everyone you are recording and get their OK before you start.
- Place the mic close to the people speaking and pick a spot away from AC units and fans.
- If you record on a phone, check storage before you start.
2. Convert it to text
- Add the file to the Audio to Text Converter.
- On a PC, choose the larger model (small) and set the language to match the meeting.
- When it finishes, click sentences in the editor to listen and fix them. Always check names, product names and numbers.
- Saving as TXT with timestamps tells you when each line was said.
For noisy recordings, try the Voice Noise Remover first. The audio-to-text tool does not label speakers, so add names yourself, or use the AI Meeting Notes, which splits the transcript by speaker.
3. Turn it into minutes
Don't just paste the transcript. This structure is much easier to read:
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Date, place, attendees | Basic meeting info |
| Agenda | Topics discussed |
| Decisions | What was agreed |
| Action items | Owner and deadline |
4. Storing them
If the meeting includes personal data or confidential business information, keep the recording and the text somewhere secure and delete them when no longer needed. FreeSoundTools does not store your files on a server, but anything you download stays on your device.
Automatic transcripts can be wrong. For contracts, disciplinary matters or disputes, check the original recording.
Sources and date checked
Checked: October 3, 2026
- OpenAI Whisper — https://github.com/openai/whisper
- FreeSoundTools test log (4 read-aloud Korean samples, 2026-10-03)
This article is general information, not legal advice.
See the meeting & lecture recording workflow for the whole process.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need consent to record a meeting?
Rules differ by country and US state; some require everyone to agree. The safe approach is to tell everyone and get consent before recording.
Can it tell who said what?
The audio-to-text tool does not label speakers. The AI Meeting Notes tool splits the transcript by speaker.
What should meeting minutes include?
Date, place and attendees, the agenda, decisions, and action items with owners and deadlines.
Is my recording uploaded?
No. Transcription runs in your browser and the file stays on your device.