#468 – Code your own editing tools
I've been doing this a lot lately; coding my own tools.
I find it intensely engaging, fun, liberating and, to be honest, addictive.
You should try it.
My first app transcribes foreign language audio files into subtitles, then translates those subtitles into English.
Drop those over an interview you can't understand and get cutting*.
*And yes, a local speaker will check the subs later on down the line.
FYI: I built this app for that documentary I'm working on...
What it do?
- The Elevenlabs API transcribes in 100 languages and costs only $5 for 12.30 hours of audio per month.
- Claude or Gemini's API handles the translation, which is free or very low-cost.
- Batch transcribe audio or batch translate SRT files - or both
- Track your Elevenlabs usage
- Drag and drop import, queue management and secure API key storage
Do you want this micro app?
Originally, I used Claude to write the app in Python, and it looked like this:
It's not pretty, but it's mine.
Interestingly, when I subscribed to Claude Pro and used Claude Code to recreate the same app in Swift it delivered a much more appealing design...
Want the Cut/daily Transcriber/Translator app?
One thing leads to another
I've since adapted the first app into a second version that's helping me with my (slowly progressing) follow-up ebook on Building a Second Income as a Freelance Creative**.
The app takes my (many) hours of interview audio with freelance creatives who have built successful second incomes, transcribes, and then cleans up the text into readable interview transcripts formatted for use in the book.
It's all pretty magical when it works.
It's also a lot of fun problem-solving when it doesn't.
An engaging experience either way.