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Voice recorder for a journalist

post #1 of 20
12/10/03 at 8:44am
Thread Starter 
My GF is a journalist and has to record interviews and presentations. She's looking for a recorder to replace the one she's currently borrowing.
The one she has is pretty small and stores the clips on the device's memory (fixed memory, not a memory card).
I'm thinking that a mini-disk recorder might be a better solution for her; something that she can store on physical media and also on her computer.
I'm not sure what her bugget is but it's probably not too high. So cheaper solutions are preferred.
Any suggestions for MD recorders or another type of recorder for a journalist (e.g. mp3 player with recorders)?
For any recommendations please comment on the need or not for an external mic.
thanks
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post #2 of 20
12/10/03 at 10:24am
Just off the top of my head, there's that Belkin Voice Recorder accessory for the iPod. I believe that I-River also offers either line-in recording (external mic?) and sometimes mic recording on some of their players. Not sure about that though.
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post #3 of 20
12/10/03 at 11:15am
I am paranoid and don't trust digital memory - yeah it's supposed to be stable but I like removeable media. With a MD or cassette recorder, you are basically stuck with either having all your material on the media itself, or if you want to upload it to a computer, you have to output it in real time from the unit's headphone out (or line out) into your computer (no USB or digital upload capability with MD recorders.) I know Sony makes a couple of digital IC recorders that have USB upload, but those are somewhat pricy. Myself, I use a mini-cassette recorder for note taking and a regular size portable cassette recorder for longer stuff - not as high tech but trustworthy and I can play the tapes anywhere.
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post #4 of 20
12/10/03 at 11:20am
The iPod voice recorder files can be transfered to your computer via which ever sync cable you have.
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post #5 of 20
12/10/03 at 11:35am
http://www.computers4sure.com/produc...affid=10000483

Rip Flash Trio

128MB onboard memory
Onboard Mic
Line recording
FM recording
Mic Jack
Uploads to computer

One sweet deal. Should record a decent amount of 32K/s 44100KHz Mono. (8 hours worth).

The iRiver recorders are worth a look, but none have Mic Jacks' (Which is highly unfortunate)

Edit: Also has built in speaker
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post #6 of 20
12/10/03 at 2:06pm
The iRiver iFP players have a built in mic and a mic line in. I believe you can upload to your computer you just have to change the designation from a .wav to (aw, crap I forget) something else.
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post #7 of 20
12/10/03 at 7:32pm
jasonwilderwood

The iRiver iFP series do not support directly supporting Mic's. They can only accept line level signals. *sigh*

But, yes.. they do a decent job of line in recording, from my experience. (I own one) and they do well with a preamp (Although very expensive).
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post #8 of 20
12/11/03 at 2:38am
Personally I'd suggest a MD player with a Mic in and a external MIC.

They have a MD with a internal MIC and speaker, but it is RATHER expensive.

A n707 would be a great choice, they aren't currently in production (last years model) so you may get a good deal at Best Buy or Circuit City.

****, forgot to mention that you can't do digital uploads from MD -> computer. Sadly, SONY records has a strangle hold on Sony consumer electronics.
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post #9 of 20
12/11/03 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally posted by iPodophile
Just off the top of my head, there's that Belkin Voice Recorder accessory for the iPod.
I own the Belkin Voice Recorder, and it's made for short voice memos. I wouldn't recommend it for a journalist or for interviews. The iRiver, Archos, and other MP3 players simply aren't geared towards hard-core voice recording. MD is the best for recording out of these choices, but still not ideal for voice/interviews.

You should be looking at dedicated voice recorders. The Olympus models get great reviews:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...lrecorders.asp

I've heard a lot of good things about the DS-2000:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...25&product=666
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post #10 of 20
12/11/03 at 3:52am
i also recommand MDs for voice recording.

reasons:
- long battery life
- most MD recorders have built-in mic jack
- MD blanks are very cheap and can be reused + easy to sort
- MDs are easy to edit on the unit itself (title, group, cut, combine) without a computer

only downside is no digital upload
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post #11 of 20
12/11/03 at 6:08am
The Sony MZ-B10 is an ideal MD recorder for voice applications. It has a built in (mono) speaker and mic (+ external mic provision), one-push button recording, and great battery life from 2 AA's.
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post #12 of 20
12/11/03 at 6:05pm
never mind
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post #13 of 20
12/12/03 at 12:47am
Let's review the criteria:
1)voice quality recording
2)removeable media for storage
3)cheap
4)can store on her computer
5)workable internal mic

My solution would be to use a microcassette recorder with a analog line out, e.g. the Panasonic RN-305 Handheld Voice Recorder ($22 at Office Max)

+ a cheap analog input card.

I know its not elegant but this approach seems to fit the requirements. We are not talking high fidelity here, folks.
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post #14 of 20
12/12/03 at 1:14am
Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff E
[B]Let's review the criteria:
2)removeable media for storage
3)cheap
Removeable media wasn't a criterion

And he said "cheaper solutions are preferred," not "cheap


But seriously, again, if the person is a journalist, you want a product made for such uses. If the Olympus DS-2000 is too expensive, the DS-330 can be found for around $100.

- USB docking station for transferring files to a Windows PC or Mac
- 330-minute recording time
- storage folders on the unit, to organize recordings
- backlit display
- only 2.6oz
- noise canceling technology to reduce background noise while recording
- built-in mic (can even be used as a mic for your computer)
- voice-activated recording
- digital indexing
- recording editing (move, erase, overwrite, lock, etc.)
- alarm clock

These kinds of recorders are specifically designed for journalists and interviewers. Get the right tool for the job, IMO.
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post #15 of 20
12/12/03 at 1:24am
Quote:
Originally posted by MacDEF
[B]Removeable media wasn't a criterion

And he said "cheaper solutions are preferred," not "cheap
He wrote, "I'm thinking that a mini-disk recorder might be a better solution for her; something that she can store on physical media and also on her computer. " I interpret that to mean removeable media.

You got me cold on the cheap vs. cheaper. So I would opt for a higher quality microcassette recorder like the Sony Pressman M-565V. We are up to around $40 now. Note the name implies "a product made for such uses".
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