Recorders

[PhilaYank36]

I'm thinking about picking up a new digital recorder. Anyone have any suggestions? Plus, are there ones out there that you can download interviews on to your computer?

[Oz]

I have a standard digital recorder. No complaints, save for when I would tape for nine or 10 minutes, meaning that if I were to hit the wrong button, I would have to start from the top and fast forward to that spot again.

[MonitorLizard]

The digital ones are great, especially if you get one that allows you to set bookmarks while you're recording. Makes going back through it a lot easier.

If you get one with a mic port, you can buy a device at radio shack that lets you record phone interviews, if it's legal in your state. To put stuff on your computer, get a cord that can plug into the headphone jack on the recorder and the mic jack on the computer, then play the tape while you record on the computer, using whatever program you have. I've never done it, but a colleague has.

[2muchcoffeeman]

The digital ones are great, especially if you get one that allows you to set bookmarks while you're recording. Makes going back through it a lot easier.

If you get one with a mic port, you can buy a device at radio shack that lets you record phone interviews, if it's legal in your state. To put stuff on your computer, get a cord that can plug into the headphone jack on the recorder and the mic jack on the computer, then play the tape while you record on the computer, using whatever program you have. I've never done it, but a colleague has.

Huh? I have a Radio Shack gadget that plugs into the phone line and the recorder, but I have no frakkin' idea what you're talking about.

[John]

Plenty of digital records, the more expensive models, allow you to download the files onto your computer. All the ones I've seen mention a PC, but I don't know if there is any problem with Macs.

I have a basic Olympus model that works fine -- it has a button that will slow down the speed, which makes transcribing a lot easier.

[Trouser_Buddah]

I probably have one similar to John's...it's nice being able to download the files to my computer, where the program that comes with it allows me to sort them by name, date, etc.

The bookmark thing is nice, too.

[jgmacg]

I've been very happy with my Olympus DS-2. Stores a lot of information, downloads to your computer with a USB cable, and comes with software to organize the files you download. Seems pretty bulletproof, too.

[Clever username]

The Sony ICD-P320 has great sound pickup even outside and in loud gyms and has a ton of memory even on the high quality setting. It also comes with software to load the files on to your computer. I've never used that, though, so I don't know good it is.

[write then drink]

I use

[Clever username]

I use

Fucking savage.

[dragonfly]

i just bought an olympus digital recorder on amazon.com for like $43 dollars or about half the radioshack price. saw a lot of other good deals on amazon. the recorder is 1000 times better than my last one, which cost over $100 at fry's and didn't pick up sound well or have a lot of memory.

[PhilaYank36]

I use

GD neanderthal. BTW, I like your Geico commercials.

[Trouser_Buddah]

I use

That's a good backup I always use in case the recorder craps out...But for some reason I can't get it to download to my computer...maybe that works with Macs

[The Legacy of Mike Lum]

They are popular with young kids learning to play an instrument.

[HejiraHenry]

They are popular with young kids learning to play an instrument.

And come in a variety of nice colors:

[John]

Watch out for the brown noise.

[HejiraHenry]

Watch out for the brown noise.

Made me laugh, as this Wiki entry also refers you to Brown Note Records:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_note

[Eagleboy]

I swear by the Olympus DS-2. Incredible machine - though expensive - and the software is even better (but what would I know? I lost mine.)

[fishwrapper]

I just picked me up one of these:

[HeinekenMan]

I have a standard digital recorder. No complaints, save for when I would tape for nine or 10 minutes, meaning that if I were to hit the wrong button, I would have to start from the top and fast forward to that spot again.

I absolutely hate that shit. I had a damned 45-minute meeting. I tried to be smart and write down the time for the quote I wanted to pull later. But the thing counts down the time backward as it plays, which left me trying to do math in my head while holding down a damned button for four minutes. Then my finger accidentally presses too hard on the pause, which stops the recording completely.

[HeinekenMan]

The digital ones are great, especially if you get one that allows you to set bookmarks while you're recording. Makes going back through it a lot easier.

If you get one with a mic port, you can buy a device at radio shack that lets you record phone interviews, if it's legal in your state. To put stuff on your computer, get a cord that can plug into the headphone jack on the recorder and the mic jack on the computer, then play the tape while you record on the computer, using whatever program you have. I've never done it, but a colleague has.

Huh? I have a Radio Shack gadget that plugs into the phone line and the recorder, but I have no frakkin' idea what you're talking about.

My wife bought me the Radio Shack device for Christmas. I plugged it into my recorder and my phone. But I couldn't hear the sound on my phone. I fixed that by plugging in some earphones. But then I still couldn't talk to the person on the other end of the line. My understanding is that I need earphones with the mic.

[lantaur]

I'm thinking about picking up a new digital recorder. Anyone have any suggestions? Plus, are there ones out there that you can download interviews on to your computer?

I have an Olympus which can then plug right into a USB jack and thus get the audio on to my computer. Olympus (I think) makes another one (as I'm sure there are other models) with USB plugs so you can upload the info. Of course, if you want to edit it or whatever,  you'll need something like Adobe Audition.

[HeinekenMan]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I really can't imagine why I'd want to save many interviews on my computer.

[Eagleboy]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I really can't imagine why I'd want to save many interviews on my computer.

I do it for times when the coaches will start going off about "next season this, next season that, this is what workouts will be like in August," etc. and I just write down "1115-1448 - Offseason workouts." Then I can go back and listen to the file when August rolls around.

[PTSportsWriter]

iPod or iPod Nano with a recorder attachment.

Works great. Hard to delete on accident. Jumps to the PC or MAC when you plug it in.

Does a good job and can be very compact and handy.