Editor Overview
Navigate the recording editor, timeline, transcript, and draft outputs.
The recording editor keeps the source audio, metadata, transcript, and generated drafts together.
Opening the editor
Select New recording to create a draft, or choose a recording from Recordings. You can also start from a matter so the client and matter are already selected.
The recordings sidebar stays open beside the editor and groups Drafts, Active, and Completed. Switching recordings waits for a confirmed save when audio is at risk.
Header
Depending on your permissions and the recording state, the header can show:
- Title and recording status
- Client and matter links
- the save indicator
- actions for export, completion, sharing a document to the matter, or queue hand-off
The client and matter fields associate this recording with a file. They do not publish audio or drafts. Generated documents use Share to matter when the team should see them.
Group membership can route queue work, but it does not automatically grant access to every recording. Use the Workspace's permissions and Matter grants.
Tabs
| Tab | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Capture or upload audio, edit the timeline, Finalise, and start generation |
| Transcript | Review and correct the transcript that matches the current Finalised audio |
| Notes / Documents | Review and edit generated working drafts |
Recorder tab states
The primary action changes as the recording moves through its workflow:
- Setup: choose Dictation or Meeting and select a source.
- Recording: capture audio; Pause saves the current part.
- Draft: resume recording or review and edit the timeline.
- Finalising and processing: Ardela prepares the submitted audio and runs batch transcription.
- Transcript ready: correct the transcript before generating.
There is no live transcript in the browser recorder.
Settings (gear icon)
Available controls can include:
- microphone selection;
- playback speed;
- rewind on pause;
- keyboard shortcuts.
Clara split view
Open Clara from the editor to ask about the current content or request a rewrite. Clara presents content changes for approval before applying them. See Clara in recordings.
Saving and leaving
Ardela saves draft metadata and audio parts as you work. Do not close or navigate away while the interface says audio is still being saved.
For a manual save, use Save now or Ctrl+S on Windows and Cmd+S on macOS when the shortcut is available.
Continue recording
Return to the Recorder tab of a draft to append or edit audio. Adding audio after transcription makes that transcript out of date. Finalise the revised timeline and wait for a matching transcript before generating.
Human review
The editor keeps source and draft work together, but it does not certify the transcript or approve a legal document. The responsible fee-earner must check the audio, transcript, matter details, and generated text before completion or export.