For years I’ve used a Sony Minidisc machine to record stereo audio “in the field”, while hoping and praying some company would make an 'iPod that records”. Yes, I know there are gadgets you can attach to your iPod to turn it into an ersatz recorder - but I’ve heard these add-ons are not really up to the task. I’m looking for something “purpose-built” and it seems my prayers have been answered: two companies – Edirol (formerly Roland) and Marantz - have just introduced Compact Flash-based handhelds that can record in .wav or MP3 format, at different rates, for direct USB transfer to your computer.
The Edirol R-1 is the smaller of the two but the Marantz PMD660 has XLR microphone inputs and seems a little more “professional”. Both of these machines should begin shipping in March and can be had for around $450 each.
Both devices that you mention look very cool and pro. But if you're mostly interested in a player, try the Archos Jukebox Recorder, a 20Gb MP3 player and recorder which is sporadically available for $250 through discount sources. Admittedly, I haven't done any mic recording so I can't speak for its VBR recording capabilities, but I'm sure info is out there from other users. It has coaxial digital in/out, a built-in mic, and analog line in which I assume could be adapted to a mic. Along with USB 2.0.)
The coolest thing about it, you can completely replace the operating interface by installing a free alternative (Rockbox) which is being developed by other users in Linux-like fashion. The replacement interface can even play games like tetris and solitaire. (It can announce menus by a robotic user-configurable voice...it can even play videos that are converted to a special format - though on a small LCD the results are far from satisfying.)
Check out Rockbox.org for a description of features for the alternative interface and perhaps a discussion of recording capability on its forum.
Make sure you buy an Archos that's compatible with Rockbox, if you're interested in those features. The Jukebox Recorder may no longer be widely available and is not manufactured by Archos. Ebay anyone? (And don't drop it!)
Posted by: Guest | February 15, 2005 at 09:38 PM
The iRiver hard drive based players also record in wav or mp3 format. Rockbox is supposed to be working on firmware for iRiver as well, which I am looking quite forward to.
Posted by: kg | February 16, 2005 at 08:18 AM
If you use the linux on iPod project :
http://www.ipodlinux.org/Main_Page
You can get higher quality recording (up to 96kHz mono) and all you need is a decent mike. Of course there's better tools out there, but not any that are as cheap, well assuming you already plunked down the big bucks for an iPod.
Posted by: ben | February 16, 2005 at 09:41 AM
There is free 3rd-party firmware that allows you to hook a mic (or headphones, or any other input device with a "1/8 phone plug) into your ipod and record high-quality wav files.
http://www.ipodlinux.org/index.php/Main_Page
You have to have a 3rd Generation iPod or lower, though. They're still working on iPod mini & 4th G iPods.
Posted by: Mike | July 09, 2005 at 03:28 AM