Learn More About Recorders

What type of recorder do you need?

Cassette recorder

Ideal for: Occasional recording of meetings, lectures, presentations, or dictation. Records sound on a removable cassette (usually sold separately). Least expensive type of recorder available. Is not as flexible and sophisticated as a digital recorder.

Key features:

Generally small, lightweight, and portable. Usually about 2" wide by 5" high by 1" deep or smaller. Weighs between 3 and 8 ounces.
Has built–in microphone. Look for high–sensitivity microphones for clearest sound recording.
Most have one–touch recording and pause button, which makes operation easy. Some models have two–speed selector that provides the option of recording at normal speed or half speed for extended recording occasions. Look for voice activation capability, which automatically turns the recorder on only in the presence of sounds, conserving tape and eliminating lengthy noiseless passages.
Automatic end–of–tape shut–off conserves battery power and reduces mechanical wear, while alerting user that recording has stopped.
Most have variable–speed playback to aid in transcribing or finding sections of the recording. Look for fast playback, which plays tape 20% faster than normal speed, reducing review time.
Many models have tape counters to locate sections of the recording. Some have cue and review, which plays sound during fast forward and rewind modes to help find specific passages quickly. For easy reference, look for cue marker indexing, which inserts an electronic mark at specific tape segments.
Uses removable cassette or microcassette tapes (sold separately), which record either 60 or 90 minutes of sound. These tapes can be recorded over several times.
Requires batteries (sometimes sold separately) or AC adapter (usually included). Some models have battery level indicators. Most have jacks for external microphones as well as headphones/earphones for playback privacy or transcription.

What’s available: Many models have carrying straps or travel cases and belt clips that can be purchased separately for convenience and protection. To record telephone conversations, look for a model that provides telephone recorder capability.

Digital recorder

Ideal for: Frequent and extensive recording of meetings, lectures, presentations, or dictation. Captures sounds on an integrated digital chip that can store more than a cassette and be recorded over and used again repeatedly. Smaller, lighter, and offers better sound quality and more flexibility than a cassette recorder.

Key features:

Compact, lightweight, and highly portable – fits easily into a shirt pocket. Weighs about 3 ounces, and is approximately 2" wide by 4" high by less than 1" deep.
Provides efficient file organization system for recorded material. Allows the recording of hundreds of messages, or individual recordings, that can be stored in multiple file folders (from 3 to 340, depending on the model). Instant retrieval by folder name and message number is possible. Files are usually date and time stamped, can be moved, divided into smaller files, and deleted individually. Files can also be emailed.
Provides up to 5.5 hours of built–in recording time or unlimited recording with removable memory sticks (not available on all models). Many models have three recording modes depending on user’s needs: normal (half hour), best sound quality (15 minutes), or extended recording time (100 minutes). Most have cue and review, which plays sound during fast forward and rewind modes to help find specific passages quickly.
Editing of recordings is extremely flexible. Additional recordings can be inserted into an existing recording. Some models have the ability to play back the first couple of seconds of each file. Most have variable–speed playback to aid in transcribing or finding sections of a recording.
Has voice–activation capability, which automatically turns recorder on only in the presence of sounds, conserving memory and eliminating lengthy noiseless passages.
Has LCD display, which provides easy–to–read information, such as number of files recorded, recording length, date, time, and battery power remaining.
Offers playback volume, speed, and pause control.
Ability to set recording stop and start times within 24–hour period.
Requires batteries (sometimes sold separately) or AC adapter (usually included). Some models have battery level indicators. Most have jacks for external microphones as well as headphones/earphones for playback privacy or transcription.