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America's Pride sound quality (sm) - wondering

Posted: Jul 30, 2012

Does anyone else find the sound quality of AP files to be horrendous?

Is the for a test or regular dictation? - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
I have never had a problem with the quality of their sound files while working for them.

Not a test. Regular sound files. They sound like they're dictated in a cardboard box. sm - wondering

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I'm not sure if anything can be done to improve it. If so, I'm all ears.

AP sound files - nn

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Not really sure then. I didn't have any problems with the two accounts they had me on. I know they talked about a new account starting so really not sure.

I have an offer from them, may I ask how they are to work for? - Curious

[ In Reply To ..]
TIA if you can shed any light or email if you're more comfortable sharing info that way.

without giving away your offer, can you tell us the cpl range? (if you or somebody knows it). nm - curious too

[ In Reply To ..]
x

AP pay rate - bb

[ In Reply To ..]
6.5 cpl and STRICT verbatim

Is it lots of ESL as well? - Curious

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Is it a lot of horrid ESL or otherwise horrid dictators? Geez, I despise strict verbatim when it's atrocious grammar, etc.

Is is lots of ESL as well? - former AP MT

[ In Reply To ..]
There are ESLs on this account, and while they are not bad for an "experienced MT," there are a few whom are sticklers and do not want tense changed etc. You were to leave headers in the report even if they were not dictated, because apparently, information was added at the facility that was not dictated. These are VA accounts, so things are done in a very different manner. Most of the communication is done via email (I think I might have had a total of 3 phone calls during my short tenure there). The people in general are very nice to work for, but even having more than 30 years of experience, I was constantly having to check account specs, etc., to try to make sure I was doing things the way the company, the facility and the doctor wanted. Even with "verbatim accounts" that I have had in the past, we had a bit of leeway; however, the majority of the time with AP, I did not find this to be the case.

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you have GOT to be kidding on that line rate! sm - curious too

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That is unbelievably low!

AP pay rate - StarvingMT

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If you are doing VA work you are required to be an employee and receive prevailing wage and benefits, 10 paid holidays, overtime, etc. If you are classified as an employee and your 6.5 cpl does not bring your hourly wage up to 12-15.00 an hour contact the DOL in the state the employer is located. The VA contractors are taking advantage of you when they are paid very nicely to provide you with prevailing wage and benefits. Prevailing wage is usually 12-15.00 an hour and there should be an additional 3.18 an hour for benefits.

AP "classification - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
We were classified as statutory employees, so taxes and SS taken out and that was it.

Also, up until last year, my S/O worked in a supervisory capacity for a company, based out of Anchorage, AK who had contracts in the area for security guards, who were posted at the SS administration and a lot of the federal courts in the area. While he made great money, ($25-30 and hour I believe), he did receive vacation pay. If he was scheduled on a holiday, he had to work. The company did not provide insurance; however, there was a certain amount that the contractors could deduct out of their paychecks (he elected not to do this and is paying the price now, having been diagnosed last year with CHF and COPD). There are I believe many companies who "subcontract," but do not adhere to the "federal guidelines."

Yes, since downloading... - me too

[ In Reply To ..]
since downloading the new platform, there seems to be a lot of background noise (static). After sending off the job as completed... there is just silence! I thought it may be my headphones and I just have not purchased a new pair yet... guess it may not be them after all!

Oh thank heavens somebody else with the same problem since download! sm - wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
I've tried everything, and I mean everyhing - expensive headphones, non-expensive headphones, expensive noise-cancelling headphones, a Boostaroo, plugging the headphones directly into the computer instead of the speakers and vice versa, downloaded a different version of the software. I was getting to the point where my next option was a brand new computer but since this is the only program I'm having sound problems with I'm not going that route if I don't have to. It must be the software because its been since the download.

sound quality - apmttoo

[ In Reply To ..]
I had a little problem after downloading the newest MT Pro, but I was still using XP. I got a new computer with Win 7 and the quality improved. Still have some problems but it just depends on the dictators and what they're using to dictate, cell phone, speaker phone, etc.

AP sound files - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree that the dictation cuts off. I heard from "D" and she is talking about 'new headphones, etc." C and P do not seem to give a rat's patoot and frankly with the salary offered and the strict verbatim, it is not worth the time and aggravation.

Are you the same "nn" - Curious

[ In Reply To ..]
who was raving a couple weeks ago about being hired by a wonderful company that you refused to give the name of??

Not nn but think must be because - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
was thanking C and P for the job I think in that previous post. So, is this company a good one to work for or not? Just wondering since had them marked as a company to apply to at some point.

my dictation is not cutting off... - me too

[ In Reply To ..]
the sound quality is just not like it used to be. It has a very annoying static sound. I did not say anything yet to D, C, or P; but now knowing it is not just myself, I will contact them. I beg to differ, but I am sure D, C and P would care.

sound - apmttoo

[ In Reply To ..]
My sound has never cut out and I worked all day today without any sound issues. Maybe it depends on which account you're on. Some time ago, I did have one dictator who was obviously using a cell phone, bad quality, and when QA heard it, they told me they'd contact the facility about it and his dictations did get better.

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