8.4: Buying a Recorder

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Page ID: 305820

Mark Briggs
University of South Florida

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Like most digital tools, there are plenty of options on the market today and deciding which one is right for you starts with a basic question: How much can you afford to spend? You can buy a new digital recorder for as little as $50, but if you spend even a little bit more you can dramatically improve your capacity to participate in this game. And, of course, if you spend even more you will go from “entry level” to “professional” in no time.

The key points to consider include recording time, digital file format and compatibility with your computer, ease of use and transferring files, and quality of recording. Let’s look at a few options in different price levels and evaluate them on these aspects.

Important note: You might be tempted to buy a $50 version because, hey, it says it’s a digital recorder. But unless you can transfer the files from the recorder to your computer, you will be unable to get the files onto a Web site where readers can listen to them. So it would be like writing a story on a computer and not being able to send it to your editor.

$100 Olympus WS-100

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/ product.asp?product=1170

Recording time: Up to 27 hours. Unit is also a USB mass storage device with 64MB of capacity.

Digital file format: Windows Media, which isn’t perfect (especially if you’re a Mac user) but does work.

Compatibility: Files can be quickly downloaded onto a Windows or Mac computer through a USB 2.0 port. If you have a PC you won't need any additional software. If you're using a Mac, you will need a file converter to change the WMA files to MP3 or some other format readable on Mac software such as iTunes. EasyWMA is only $10 and works well (www.easywma.com).

Ease of use: Recording is one-touch and easy. It’s tiny — about the size of an iPod Nano — so very portable. Has mike and headphone inputs, which are required. It’s clunky to review recordings with fast forward or rewind. This can be done more easily on your computer.

Battery: One AAA battery.

Transferring files: The best feature on this recorder is the built-in USB port. Just pull apart the device and directly insert the recorder into your USB port. No extra wires to pack along.

Quality of recording: As good as it gets for $100.

$200 Diasonic DR-51128

http://www.justrecorders.com/dr51128.htm

Recording time: 35 hours. Unit is also a USB mass storage device with 128MB of capacity

Digital file format: MP3 or Windows Media.

Compatibility: Windows or Mac.

Battery: Two AAA batteries.

Transferring files: USB connection allows for easy drag and drop of files.

Quality of recording: Good.

$400 Edirol R-1

http://www.rolandus.com/products/product details.aspx?ObjectId=744

Recording time: 137 minutes when using the included 64MB memory card.

Digital file format: WAV.

Compatibility: Mac or Windows.

Transferring files: USB 2.0 or memory card.

Quality of recording: Excellent.

$350-500 M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...2496-main.html

Recording time: Ample, depends on size of memory card.

Digital file format: WAV or MP3.

Compatibility: Mac or Windows.

Ease of use: Simple yet powerful.

Transferring files: Compact Flash (CF) cards make it simple.

Quality of recording: Excellent.

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