New Gadgets Offer Options For Recording Audio

Taking accurate notes has always been a challenge for students, journalists, and writers. Gadgets like tape recorders and portable computers (laptop, palm top, tablet, and otherwise) have helped somewhat, but now digital audio technology lets note takers record lectures and interviews with ease. The gadgets that do this are a lot like souped up MP3 players. In addition to being able to play back audio in several formats, modern digital audio recorders can also record audio and even edit it either on the fly or by uploading it to a computer.

Taking accurate notes has always been a challenge for students, journalists, and writers. Gadgets like tape recorders and portable computers (laptop, palm top, tablet, and otherwise) have helped somewhat, but now digital audio technology lets note takers record lectures and interviews with ease. The gadgets that do this are a lot like souped up MP3 players. In addition to being able to play back audio in several formats, modern digital audio recorders can also record audio and even edit it either on the fly or by uploading it to a computer.

One model in particular that's generally well respected is the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96. This gadget makes good enough recordings to pick up even the most subtle vocal inflections and easily transfers recordings to a computer for editing or archiving. The M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 also benefits from having removable flash memory modules to extend the amount of recording time between computer uploads. On the downside this model is expensive, bulky, and doesn't have a removable battery. The fact that this model's storage capacity can be expanded by changing out the flash memory module, but doesn't provide the option of getting more than four hours of performance between charging is definitely a shortcoming in the design.

Another model, the Olympus DS-40 is also a good contender. At two hundred dollars, it's very affordable and provides the advantage of noise canceling technology for higher quality recordings. The Olympus DS-40 also comes with an interactive feature that uses a female voice to guide the user through various menus. This model is also especially good at playing back audio files, making it a good MP3 player. The fact that this model is fairly compact offers a drawback of sorts in the form of a small screen that makes menus difficult to read (the guide feature does help to counteract this though). The software that comes with it for editing sound files on a separate computer is less than ideal as well.

The Philips Digital Pocket Memo 9600 is another more expensive model, but it comes with a number of features that make it arguably a decent value. For one thing, this model will allow users to edit audio without uploading it to a computer. For example, it's possible to add notes to go along with a lecture or interview after the fact without recording over anything in the original recording. (This in particular is something that's just not possible with a tape recorder.) Disadvantages of this model come in the form of a ridiculously expensive docking station and the fact that the unit gets really hot during use.

A fourth option is available in the form of the Panasonic RR-US470. This gadget has the two unique benefits of being able to pick out and record sounds in the specific direction in which it's aimed, and being able to translate audio from English into five other languages and back again. These features and the affordable price are offset to some extent by the small screen and confusing menus.

Generally gadgets like these provide a good deal of options for people who need to record audio notes.