Digital voice recorders make it easy to get audio
If you’re not using the newest generation of digital voice recorders, you’re working harder than you should. Olympus makes some great little models that start under $100.
I’m currently using the Olympus WS-100 digital voice recorder. The quality of the files isn’t FM, but it’s good enough for short listener sound bites. The best feature: it slides apart to reveal a USB plug that you can pop directly into any computer for quick file transfer. (Each file is saved as a .WMA which can then be converted to .MP3.)
The Olympus DS-2 costs a little more and requires a USB adapter cord for transferring files (included), but the sound quality is better than the WS-100′s.
I’d love to hear what you use for recording sound bites. Leave a comment below.
Themocracy
I have seen these in the store but never knew if they were any good….. now I know. Thanks.
I like to take the mini-disc out to fairs and festivals and offices when i deliver coffee and donuts but getting stuff off of it is a pain; so thanks for the voice recorder tip.
Could not agree more. Totally blown away with the Sony MX20. I did NOT have high hopes for it at all, but have gotten some fantastic results. The built in mic has a ‘Mono – Directional’ setting which, although loses the Stereo effect, when used together with the mic sensitivity adjustment, picks up great audio. I experimented a little for work, then went to my 9 year old daughter’s first singing performance where we weren’t allowed to video or take pictures. I stuck the tiny machine in my shirt pocket and, man, my wife and I were SO glad I did. Sounded great over the speakers at home. A memory captured and saved. Excellent. By the way, did I say I rather like these voice recorder things?