Best Reviewed
Digital Voice Recorders
- Budget digital voice recorder Olympus VN-6200PC *Est. $60
- Best digital voice recorder with MP3 player Olympus WS-500M *Est. $100
- Professional-grade digital voice recorder Samson Zoom H4n *Est. $300
- Digital voice recorder for dictating and transcription Sony ICD-MX20 *Est. $250
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Professional-grade digital voice recorder
- Pro-grade audio quality
- Memory expandable to 32 GB
- Excellent build quality
- Spacious 2-inch LCD screen
- Good menu navigation features
- Somewhat bulky design
- Mic input is in odd place
- Expensive
If you need a high-quality digital recorder for high-fidelity recordings such as music performances, rather than for straight dictation, the Samson Zoom H4n makes an excellent pick, reviewers say. The Zoom H4n records at a sampling rate of up to 96 kHz and can save these recordings in WAV or MP3 formats. The device comes with a 1 GB SD memory card, but the card slot on the Zoom H4n can accept SD and SDHC memory cards up to 32 GB. The H4n also acts as a USB audio interface allowing for recording directly to a computer. It comes bundled with Cubase LE 4 recording software from Steinberg but is compatible with most recording software. If you are on a tighter budget, Samson's Zoom H2 (*Est. $150) offers similar features and produces recordings that are nearly though not quite as good, but at a lower price. However, the H4n has superior build quality.
Among reviews of the Samson H4n, the most complete comes from CNET's Donald Bell, who tests the device for design, features and performance and makes clear comparative references to other similar models. There is a good review at PortableDigitalRecorders.com that includes a video demonstrating sound quality and insight from an owner who has used the device for several months. Amazon.com has many detailed opinions posted by users.
| Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder | |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET's Donald Bell tests the Zoom H4n and calls it "a mobile recording dynamo with features that outperform competitors that cost twice as much." Bell likes the two built-in microphones that can record in two-channel or four-channel mode; plus, the Zoom H4n has jacks for plugging in two external mics for additional flexibility. On the downside, Bell says the design of the Zoom H4n is somewhat bulky but it can still fit in a pocket.
Review: Zoom H4n, Donald Bell, April 13, 2009
2. PortableDigitalRecordersSite.com
This is an in-depth report on the reviewer's experience with the Samson Zoom H4n after six months of use. Overall, he is very pleased with the recorder and calls it "one of the best new portable units on the market today." The review includes a video demonstrating the Zoom H4n's sound quality when recording classical guitar. The reviewer says sound quality is "excellent" and he finds the recorder very easy to use. On the downside, he says load times are slow and he would have liked to see a protective cage around the microphones.
Review: The Best Zoom H4n Review, Editors of PortableDigitalRecordersSite.com, July 7, 2010
3. Amazon.com
More than 70 customers contribute to the Zoom H4n's overall rating of 4.5 out of 5, citing excellent sound quality and sturdy build among the recorder's best features. Reviewers include professional and non-professional users. Some post video demonstrating the recorder's sound performance. Cons cited include its slightly large size and problems when using a line level source, such as from a sound board or stereo receiver, rather than a mic. Regarding the line level issue, one user suggests that "the Zoom recorders may not be a good choice" for this purpose.
Review: Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder, Contributors to Amazon.com
This roundup of best digital recorder choices names the Zoom H4n as the top pick, saying it offers the best sound quality. The reviewer says that the Zoom H4n's microphone placement enables it to filter out white noise and other extraneous sounds when recording.
Review: Finding the Best Digital Voice Recorder, Tia Ahmed, July 16, 2010
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