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Getting Started
Your First Project

Creating Your First Project

This guide walks you through creating your first transcription project in HeyDonna.

Starting a New Project

From your dashboard, click the New Project button to launch the project creation wizard.

Step 1: Choose Project Type

HeyDonna supports two project types:

TypeBest ForFeatures
GeneralStandard transcription, interviews, meetingsBasic formatting, speaker labels
LegalCourt reporting, depositions, hearingsLegal templates, Q&A formatting, certifications

Step 2: Enter Project Details

Provide the following information:

  • Project Title - A descriptive name (e.g., "Smith v. Jones - Day 1")
  • Date - The date of the proceeding (optional)
  • Notes - Any additional context (optional)

For Legal projects, you may also enter:

  • Case number
  • Court/jurisdiction
  • Witness names

Step 3: Upload Audio

Drag and drop your audio file or click to browse. Supported formats:

  • MP3 - Most common, good compression
  • WAV - Uncompressed, highest quality
  • M4A - Apple format, good quality
  • FLAC - Lossless compression

Tip: For best results, use audio with:

  • Clear speech
  • Minimal background noise
  • Separate microphones per speaker (if possible)

Step 4: Select a Template (Legal Projects)

For Legal projects, choose a formatting template:

  • Standard Deposition - Q&A format with witness examination
  • Court Hearing - Judge, attorneys, and parties
  • Custom - Start from scratch

Processing Your Audio

After uploading, HeyDonna processes your audio:

  1. Transcription - AI converts speech to text with timestamps
  2. Speaker Diarization - AI identifies different speakers
  3. Waveform Generation - Creates visual audio representation

Processing Times

Audio LengthTypical Processing Time
30 minutes~1 minute
1 hour~2-3 minutes
2 hours~4-5 minutes

You'll see a progress indicator and receive a notification when processing completes.

Opening the Editor

Once processing finishes:

  1. Click Edit on your project card
  2. The editor opens with your transcript and audio waveform
  3. Start reviewing and editing

Tips for Success

Audio Quality

  • Use a good microphone when possible
  • Record in a quiet environment
  • Keep speakers from talking over each other

Speaker Identification

After processing, assign proper names to speakers:

  1. Open the Speaker Panel (right sidebar)
  2. Click on each speaker label (S1, S2, etc.)
  3. Enter the speaker's name and role

Save Regularly

While HeyDonna auto-saves your work, you can manually save anytime:

  • Press Cmd/Ctrl + S
  • Or use File → Save

Next Steps

Quick Start GuideOverview