Voice Recorder High Quality Download
May Mcgriff
To narrow down the contenders, the first thing we looked at was price. Wirecutter colleagues agreed that $100 was the maximum amount that most people should spend on a voice recorder. These days, the audio quality and functionality that you can get from a recorder costing $100 or less is more than good enough to earn it a place in your kit if you record vocal audio fairly frequently and care even a little about sound quality. The only people who should consider spending more are professionals who need to publish the audio they record, and they likely already know which recorder is best for their specific needs.
For voice recording apps, we consulted 10 editorial roundups covering both iOS and Android apps, noting the apps with the highest review ratings, best-reviewed interfaces, and most-useful features. We also polled Wirecutter reporters and editors about the apps they use for work. We dismissed transcription and call recorder apps, since this guide is geared toward in-person recording of meetings, lectures, and interviews. We then used the following criteria to choose our finalists:
For our 2017 update, we tested the voice recorders and apps in three settings: sitting at the back of a college lecture hall during class, in a loud coffee shop to simulate an interview, and in a quiet room to mimic dictation. We hit record on all the hardware recorders at the same time in order to directly compare how each captured the same audio; for the apps, we took turns recording with an iPhone 6 and a Samsung HTC 10. (Newer phones may have better microphones, but our experts said that on most smartphones, the app will have more of an effect on recording quality than the microphone.)
While playing back audio, the WS853 can compensate somewhat for problems you might have run into while recording: a noise-cancellation setting can reduce overall background hiss (though this comes at the expense of battery life), while a voice balancer setting can even out recordings that were made with the mic sensitivity set too low or high by compressing the overall level for a more even sound (though you might run into increased noise).
Hunting for the best digital voice recorder? We researched the market before buying the top 13 options to test side-by-side. Then we started recording, capturing audio notes in the car, bird songs, guitar practice, interviews, and controlled test scenarios. We compared microphone and audio quality, battery life, file sharing, ease of use, and playback editing features. Below, we share how each of these voice recorders shines and falters. Whether you want to record your classes or create world-class podcasts, our comprehensive review will help you find the best digital voice recorder for your needs and budget.
Our favorite overall digital voice recorder is the compact Sony ICDUX570. This effective, simple tool features an easy-to-read display and intuitive operating system. We appreciate its automatic recording templates that ensure the two stereo microphones work well for the task at hand, be that a voice memo, music recording, meeting, or lecture. You can also set mic sensitivity levels and reduce background noises manually. Though the recorder picks up background audio in modes like dictation and interview, we found them less brassy and distracting than in several other models. The Sony records in uncompressed WAV files (which it labels as LPCM, for linear pulse code modulation) at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate and a 16-bit rate. It also records in compressed MP3s, which saves on storage space. You'll have plenty though, with a microSD card you can store up to 32 gigabytes (GB).
The recorder features a T-mark button to bookmark important moments in your recordings and an A-B repeat function to loop the playback between two chosen points. Additionally, you can slow playback for easier transcription, and integrated filters enable you to clean or jazz up the audio. A USB plug slides out of the Sony ICDUX570, which allows you to share your files at all times. The claimed battery life of over 20 hours for the highest quality audio recording is fairly short for a recorder of this type. Despite being easy to understand, the audio is below par for professional broadcasting. The device offers a mini-jack for an external microphone, which can improve your recordings. Overall, the Sony ICDUX570 will take your notes for you and could serve as a backup for production audio in a pinch.
The Zoom H5 is a popular audio recorder in the radio and podcasting world. It also includes tripod and camera mounting threads to integrate into a filmmaker's setup. Its audio quality is top-notch, taking advantage of an integrated and detachable XY microphone with a shock mount to reduce handling noise. You can also buy accessory options like an attachable shotgun microphone or an extra two XLR/TRS mics or external line inputs. The H5 comes with two XLR/TRS inputs already, so if you spring for the extra two and choose to record optional backup tracks, you can capture six tracks at the same time. The real benefit that the H5 offers over the Zoom H4n Pro is that each of three optional microphones (the integrated XY and the two inputs at the bottom of the housing) has easily accessible knobs to control their gain, which controls the amplitude and thus the volume of the microphone's signal. It's a critical element to make sure you nail your levels, which is kind of like focusing a camera. The H5 also helps you capture great audio tape by allowing you to compress or limit your levels or add a low-cut filter to remove bass sounds like humming building sounds.
On the downside, the rechargeable internal battery winds down faster than most models we tested. On the plus side, you can record while you're charging the device. Be careful, though. You can also lose data if you activate the sleeper time function, which shuts down the recorder even during use, and you need to press stop at the end of every recording to save it. To stave off disaster, you can set the Evistr Recorder to automatically save and start a new file every 30 minutes, one hour, or two hours. The device has a voice-activated mode (AVR) that automatically starts recording when you cross a predetermined decibel threshold. However, the user manual warns against relying on it because that setting often misses low decibel tones. The Evistr Recorder has a few glitches, but if you're on your game, this handy and reasonably priced little gadget will capture the audio notes you need.
Part of the portability of the F3 is due to its lack of an integrated microphone, so you need to purchase one separately to use it. That means you have to throw down a bit more cash in addition to its already hefty price tag. Since 32-bit float technology records such a large volume range, the advertising around the F3 emphasizes your ability to hit the record button and not worry about your levels. For reference, recorders like the Zoom H5 require constant monitoring to get good tape. We found the F3 remarkably independent in most circumstances, but we ran into feedback at higher sampling rates at the gym. Therefore, we recommend making use of the F3's monitoring headphone port and its nifty remote-control app (F3 Control). All in all, we were blown away by the richness and texture of the soundscapes this little device creates.
If you only require basic functions to record meetings, college lectures, or job interviews, you probably don't need the complex capabilities of the H2n. It offers the most basic digital voice recorder capabilities, but it may be more recorder than you need. It is also bulky, heavy, and not meant for storing in a purse or pocket. The user interface is easy to use once you learn it, but it is far from modern. Compared to the newest, simplest, pocket-sized recorders, the H2n feels like a bit of a dinosaur. Moreover, it is limited to its five internal microphones; there are no inputs for additional mics. Drawbacks aside, the Zoom H2n is the way to go for recording 360-degree spatial audio for VR video creators.
The Olympus WS-853 is a fairly compact recorder with reasonable sound quality and all the basic functions you need, including an external microphone jack and a built-in speaker. And we love that it comes with a carrying case. The operating system offers pre-set scenes optimized for typical scenarios like telephone recordings and conferences. It also has an intelligent auto mode that adjusts the recording level based on the volume of the incoming sounds. Adjustable playback speed makes it easy to navigate your recordings quickly. Where the WS-853 really shines, however, is in storage and battery life. It achieves its (claimed) 110 hours of battery life by recording in highly compressed MP3 files at 8 KBps. These files are tiny, so they don't take up much space or juice. You can also add a microSD card to increase memory capacity up to 32 GB.
Finally, we used an Olympus telephone pickup microphone to conduct a phone interview with each device. Then we downloaded all the files, noting how difficult it was to do so, and played them back to back to compare audio quality and specs like memory storage and battery life. By the end of our extensive testing period, these digital voice recorders underwent 143 individual tests to help us parse out the very best models on the market.
From recording your thoughts at a moment's notice to capturing a piano recital in all its glory, a digital voice recorder, like a camera, is an extension of your memory. It's a great way to memorialize the soundscapes of your life. Read on to find the perfect tool to capture all the beautiful and bizarre sounds that surround you.
Before purchasing a digital voice recorder, it is important to consider how you plan on using it. If you're looking for basic recording functions for lectures and conversations, there's no reason to buy a more expensive model than the EVISTR Recorder. If you aren't concerned about audio quality and simply need to record hours of audio without worrying about storage capacity or battery life, the Olympus WS-853 is a good option.
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