These are handy portable devices which record digital audio. After recording, all of them will connect to your computer via a USB cable where you can transfer the files. These files can then be edited with an editing program like Audacity or Garageband and uploaded to your podcast. You can also burn the files to an audio CD.
You can compare the features to see which ones you might like. Here are some features/options to consider.
- Mics: Does it have a built in microphones, or do you have to attach a mic(s) to them?
- Mics: Does it have phantom power? (to power external professional condenser microphones)
- Mics: Does it allow you to record with multiple patterns (90º, 120º, adjustable angles?)
- Media: Does it record to CompactFlash, Secure Digital, or built-in media? Or does it record to a hard drive?
- Form factor: How big is the unit? Handheld?
- Input: Does it have a digital input or only analog? Do you need digital?
- Batteries: Rechargable or disposable? Internal (not easily replaceable)?
- Batteries: How long do they last, on average?
- Recording format: Does it record compressed (mp3) and uncompressed (wav) formats?
- Audio Interface: Can it double as a USB microphone for recording directly to your computer?
Compare Small Digital Recorders
(click on an image or use the arrows to see more)
They are listed by price, from lowest to highest.
Zoom H2
Tascam DR-1
Zoom H4
M-Audio Microtrack II
Edirol R-9
Marantz PMD-620
Korg MR-1
Sony PCM-D1
Zoom
H2
Price: $199 retail
Good:
Bad:
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2007/09/13/review-zoom-h2-surround-recorder.html
Price: $199 retail
Good:
- least expensive of all recorders to date
- offers recording with several mic options (90 and 120 degree X/Y, 4 channel surround)
- very small, lightweight
- decent quality audio
- records to SD cards
- can double as a USB audio interface for direct recording to your computer
- comes with lots of accessories
Bad:
- none really, a great value
- maybe not as high quality audio as recorders twice the price...
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2007/09/13/review-zoom-h2-surround-recorder.html
A band new product!
Check here for more specs.
- Retails for $299
- Rechargeable, yet removable lithium-ion batter
- overdubbing capabilities -- good for adding narration to existing recordings
- tuner and vocal cancel features
- moveable microphones
Check here for more specs.
Zoom
H4
$299 retail
Good:
Bad:
$299 retail
Good:
- Provides phantom power to external microphones
- XLR mic inputs
- built in microphone
- multitrack capabilities
Bad:
- larger size than the others, feels fat
- the buttons feel cheap and plasticy
M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 II
Price: $299
Good:
Can be good or bad:
Bad:
Price: $299
Good:
- 2nd generation product (improvements have been made)
- Phantom powered mic inputs (requires XLR to balance 1/4" adapter or cables)
- Digital and analog inputs
Can be good or bad:
- internal rechargeable battery -- good because it lasts long, bad because it's not easily or quickly replaceable, expensive to replace too.
Bad:
- has mic that plugs in which is not built into the body of the unit.
- records to CompactFlash (older, larger, becoming less-common media)
Edirol R-9
Price: $399
Good:
Bad:
Price: $399
Good:
- Slim, compact design
- built in mics
- high quality recordings
Bad:
- No USB audio interface function, only USB transfer
- expensive for the number of features
Korg
MR-1
Price: $699
Good:
Bad:
Price: $699
Good:
- Features 1 bit recording, which will be the next standard in recording technology -- VERY high quality recording.
Bad:
- 1 bit recordings require software to convert to standard 16 bit
- expensive
Sony PCM-D1
Price: about $1800
Good:
Bad:
• EXPENSIVE
• WAV recording file format capability (no MP3 recording)
• Weight 18.5 ounces (with batteries) -- pretty heavy
Price: about $1800
Good:
- nearly 30kHz frequency response
- pro quality
- nice LCD display with comprehensive recorder status indication and menu selection
- Four AA nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries and charger (supplied) Battery life at 96kHz approximately 4.0 hours with rechargeable AA batteries
Bad:
• EXPENSIVE
• WAV recording file format capability (no MP3 recording)
• Weight 18.5 ounces (with batteries) -- pretty heavy
These products are being developed quickly and new models are always being introduced. In addition, they keep coming down in price!! They are great way to capture voices or instruments in a portable unit, without worrying about a computer.
Zoom H2!! I love the feature to price ratio! I have had great results with it so far. I have used it to record close voice conversations and many podcasts.