Recorder

Price*

Pros

Cons

Bonus Coolness Factor

Edirol R-09

$450
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• Easy to use
• Good onboard mics
• Good menu & interface

• Windscreen not included
• Tripod adapter is optional

Optional case & tripod are terrific

Edirol R-09 HR

$450
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• Redesigned mics are more wind-resistant
• Easy-to-read OLED display
• Supports 96kHz recording
• Very easy to use

• Tripod adapter is optional
• Headphone cord can brush against mics
• Still no windscreen

Multifunction wireless remote

Korg MR-1

$899.99
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• Outstanding audio quality
• 40 gig hard drive
• Rugged metal housing with leather case
• Universal power supply

• No hardware rec level control
• Internal battery
• Hard to set recording levels

1-bit audio is a huge improvement over PCM

M-Audio Microtrack 24/96

$499
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• Easy to use
• Audio quality
• 1/4" TRS mic inputs with phantom power

• Internal battery
• Potential damage from phantom power & TRS jacks

Smallest recorder with 1/4” inputs and phantom power

M-Audio MicroTrack II

$499.95
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• Ease of use
• 1/4" TRS audio inputs with 48v phantom power
• Excellent audio quality with external microphones

• Internal battery
• No tripod or mic-stand adapter

The smallest recorder with 48v phantom power

Marantz PMD620

$499
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• One-touch recording
• Mics well shielded from wind
• Sharp OLED display

• Awkward menu interface
• Flimsy covers for USB port & SD card slot

Mono recording useful for broadcasters

Olympus LS-10

$399
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• Size
• Easy to use
• Audio quality
• 2 gig internal memory + SD card slot

• Zoom mic effects color sound
• AC power supply not included

Outstanding battery life and great audio in a tiny package

Sony PCM-D50

$599.95
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• Rugged and ergonomic
• Very high audio quality
• 4 gig internal memory + removable memory

• Heavier than the competition
• Cannot record MP3s
• Optional windscreen is expensive

Outstanding limiter means worry-free live recording

Tascam GT-R1

$244.99
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• Swivel mics for shirt-pocket recording
• Non-destructive overdubbing
• Full set of effects
• Drum patterns for practice or recording
Terrific time-stretching feature for learning riffs

• Spare battery is expensive
• No mini-tripod socket
• AC adapter is optional

Overdub recording with drums and effects = instant demos!

$399
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• Tiny but mighty
• 2GB internal memory
• Well-implemented voice-recording features
• Very easy to use

• Highest MP3 resolution is just 160kbps
• Tiny size means tiny display and controls
• Audio quality not as good as other recorders in price range

Flip-up mics make it easy to record without a tripod

Zoom H2

$199
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• Front & rear stereo mics
• Inexpensive
• Doubles as USB audio interface

• Feels flimsy
• Not exactly stellar audio

Records 4-channel “surround”

Zoom H4

$494.94
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• 3 devices in 1: recorder, 4-track recorder & audio interface
• 1/4” & XLR combo-connectors with phantom power

• Tiny display
• Confusing interface
• It’s big, Jim

It’s a portable USB audio interface with effects