On the odd occasion I've had a bit of trouble with transcribing interviews with bands where I've had to interview multiple members.

Usually, if we're sat around a table, I have to quickly point the dictaphone in the direction of whoever is talking, usually not picking it up very well and missing off the ends of sentences.

I've also at times got the names wrong when transcribing it because of voices/accents that sound similar. How do you get round this?

Obviously it's not a problem when it's just one person, or even two, but three or more all jabbering on at once can make it all very confusing.

Before you ask - no, I can't write shorthand quick enough to take notes. Would it be a silly thing to ask the band members to hold the dictaphone themselves and say their first initial before they speak or something like that? Would I just get a funny look?