Realtime Voice Training
Supply List for Training
Your organized shopping guide for a confident start to Class 1.
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Is this program right for you?
No prior experience in court reporting is necessary. If you can check off most of the qualities below, you are a great candidate for our Beginner Training.
Student Prerequisites
- Above-average verbal reasoning
- Above-average grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills
- Above-average conscientiousness, detail-mindedness, orderliness, and integrity
- Typing skills of at least 40 words per minute
- Intermediate to advanced Windows skills
- Above-average computer hardware and software skills
- Must be self-motivated for daily practice
Start Here
You must have the supplies marked Required before beginning Class 1. For used supplies for sale, see the bottom of the website page.
Quick Start — Before Class 1
- A qualifying voice-writing laptop with OneDrive completely removed (training videos help with this after you sign up)
- Stenomask and USB sound card
- Wired earbuds or headphones
- Infinity USB three-pedal transcription pedal (Texas students do not need one for class)
- Required books and a printer of your choosing
What Can Wait
EclipseVox, Speechmatics minutes, Boost Box, Express Scribe, Audio Recorder & Voice Recorder Pro, and My Realtime Coach are purchased or set up after enrollment / during training.
1Laptop
Your training machine
M-Tech Laptop Recommendation
Due to continuing issues with various new and used computers students have purchased, Realtime Voice Training highly recommends purchasing your laptop from M-Tech.
Contact Jerry Michrina at jerry@m-techlaptops.com or 231-547-5562. Tell him you are one of RVT's students (Charlene Hansard). M-Tech now offers PayPal financing. Allow at least two weeks to receive your laptop.
If you decide to purchase a laptop elsewhere, please ensure whatever laptop you purchase meets the following specifications. Please feel free to contact Charlene regarding your laptop purchase if you need additional help.
Minimum recommendations:
- Intel 11th, 12th, or 13th generation: Core i7, Core Ultra i7, Core i9, or Core Ultra i9
- AMD Zen 4: Ryzen 7 (7840HS, 7745HX) or Ryzen 9 (7940HS, 7845HX, 7945HX)
- AMD Zen 5: Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 or Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- 32 GB of 4800 MHz or faster RAM (more is better)
- 1 TB NVMe SSD (500 GB minimum)
- At least TWO FREE USB ports
2Software
Voice writing + transcript tools
EclipseVox Student Software
Student software cannot be purchased until Advantage Software has proof of enrollment. Eclipse (Computer Aided Transcription / CAT) setup begins in Class 3, and the $399 student-software charge is paid to Advantage Software after enrollment. They offer a payment plan option and a 90-day free trial. This is student software — upgrading to the professional version is necessary upon certification.
Speechmatics
For voice recognition, you will use Speechmatics. You cannot purchase the software itself, but you can purchase minutes from Advantage Software (Eclipse) once you have EclipseVox Student software. Details are included after registration. Students will receive a block of free minutes included with their student software.
Boost Box
Students taking the NVRA test or a local state test need a Boost Box from Advantage Software to use Speechmatics. Purchase it at the same time as EclipseVox after signing up and begin using it from the start of training. You need it before Class 5.
Approximately $600 (see Advantage Software for current price).
3Hardware & Additional Software
The gear that goes with the laptop
Infinity USB Three-Pedal Transcription Pedal
Must have. This is the Infinity USB three-pedal transcription pedal. Texas students do not need a foot pedal for class because they are not allowed to use one to test.
Express Scribe Transcription Software
Free download for home use only. Download after classes begin. After registration, students receive a link with all free software.
Audio Recorder & Voice Recorder Pro
Free download from the Microsoft Store. This can be downloaded after classes begin. A link with all free software is provided after registration.
Wired Earbuds or Headphones
You must have earbuds or headphones to listen to audio during speed building and when you test. Bluetooth are okay, but backup earbuds are recommended. Headphones are optional.
Stenomask SR Pro-1S
Must have. This is the preferred Stenomask. By default it comes with a cushioned facepiece. Optional recommended accessories: a mouth-only facepiece and the Talk Sock. Contact Charlene directly for a discount code for Talk Technologies. There are other masks on the market, and these are user preference if you'd like to purchase another brand.
Laptop Cooling Stand
All laptops need some way to cool the fan. Never sit your laptop completely flat on your desk or lap. Thermaltake Fan Cooling Pad is the favorite.
Printer
Printer of your choosing. You must have access to a printer to print class documents and testing documents.
My Realtime Coach
All students are required to purchase a subscription for the 20-week training. Cost: $39 per month for 20 weeks ($156 total). You may extend month to month after training if needed until you test. Setup is completed in class; do not purchase before classes start. You will receive an email with signup instructions after registering.
4Books
Your reference library
The Fundamentals of Court Reporting
Must have. Previously known as The Complete Court Reporter's Handbook. You can order directly from NCRA without joining the association. Click the link and create a guest account. Once the account is created, you will need to sign in. Then scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. Under Quick Links, click on NCRA Store. You will see the book "Fundamentals of Court Reporting." Click Shop Bookstore, and then it will take you to the order page.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition
Highly suggested. A Kindle copy is acceptable.
Estimated Investment
The full picture
Realtime Voice Training court reporting student package: $3,000 for a 20-week training class package.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Voice-writing laptop | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| EclipseVox student software (paid to Advantage) | $399 |
| Boost Box (if needed) (paid to Advantage) | ~$600 |
| Stenomask | $260 – $290 |
| Sound Blaster Play! 3 | $18 |
| USB transcription pedal | $65 |
| My Realtime Coach (20-week period) | $156 |
| Realtime Voice Training program | $3,000 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL INVESTMENT | $6,000 (depending on the cost of laptop) |
Amounts are estimates and may change at any time by individual vendors. Students purchase all supplies directly; Realtime Voice Training does not supply them.
Second-hand
Used Supplies
If you're interested in purchasing used supplies/books that might be available, please click the following link:
Click hereQuestions about supplies?
Reach out anytime — Charlene will help you make the right choices for your setup.
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