typingbase.com

What It Is

Typing Base is a Japanese transcription and video subtitle production provider, positioning itself around “careful human transcription.” It is not a SaaS platform in the usual sense; it is closer to a professional, project-based human transcription outsourcing service. Use cases include interviews, meetings, academic research, YouTube videos, corporate training videos, and SRT subtitle file production.

Core Features and Deliverables

The service offers four transcription styles: a standard format that preserves the atmosphere while removing filler words, a polished format suitable for editing into written content, a record-style format for meetings and reports, and verbatim transcription that keeps every spoken element. Add-on options include speaker labeling, timestamps, handling of specialist terminology, custom formats and Excel delivery, plus transcription of YouTube and web videos. For subtitles, SRT files are supported, and customers can pay extra to have subtitles embedded into the video. The website clearly states that unclear sections will not be guessed or filled in, and the final text and subtitles require customer confirmation.

Pricing and Trial

Pricing is relatively transparent. Transcription starts from 129 JPY/minute before tax, with tiered surcharges based on turnaround speed, transcription type, and whether the order is slow, regular, or express. SRT subtitles start from 400 JPY/minute, with a 10-minute minimum. Poor audio quality, specialist terminology, multiple speakers, specified delivery times, web video downloads, and similar requirements may incur additional fees. New customers receive a 10% discount; universities and research institutions can receive a 20% first-order discount; ongoing clients receive a 5% discount. Payment via research funds, public funds, and invoice-based billing is also supported.

Pros and Cons

The main advantage is that human processing is well suited to Japanese audio that AI may struggle to recognize accurately, especially in specialist fields or confidential recordings. Turnaround options are also flexible, with same-day or next-day delivery available at the fastest. The downsides are the lack of typical SaaS features such as team permissions, automated workflows, APIs, third-party integrations, and clearly stated security certifications. Multi-speaker scenarios also have limitations: in principle, speaker labeling is not supported for 6 or more speakers. The service explicitly supports Japanese only and does not accept translation work.

Who It’s For and Access from China

Typing Base is suitable for university researchers, content production teams, training video producers, meeting documentation users, and customers in the Japanese market who need human quality control. For Chinese users working with Japanese audio or video, it can be considered as an outsourcing option, but website access, cross-border payments, data transfer, and Japanese-language communication costs should be assessed independently. Domestic alternatives in China include 讯飞听见 and 网易见外, while international alternatives include Notta, Rev, and Happy Scribe.