
Also, the connector has a locking mechanism that prevents accidental removal. The cable itself is generally high quality and can span long distances. The third plug is a ground, which also helps to eliminate unwanted interference.

It is called a “balanced” connection, which means both the positive and negative signals are balanced out to prevent interference. XLR: This is the highest quality connector. While the type of connector alone doesn’t ensure good quality in your recordings, generally audio recorders with higher quality connectors tend to be classified as among the best. There are three basic microphone inputs that you will find on digital audio recorders. It is quality that will set them apart from the cacophony of bloggers, self-publishers, PR firms and government agencies that are all taking part in news production. As journalists have perfected their craft in traditional media, we believe they should aim for the highest standards when publishing to the Web.

A person entranced in the narrative of a powerful story can just as easily be distracted from it when they become interrupted by a “hiss,” some wind noise, or sound drop off.

We acknowledge this and try to support all news organizations with varying budgets by listing devices from cheap to expensive, and noting both the benefits and flaws of each device.įurthermore, we believe quality enhances the ability to tell a story in such a way that the viewer forgets about the medium they’re consuming. We realize cost is a major concern for newsrooms in these times. Trends in audio recording devices are also following suit. Now you can purchase an entry level kit for about $600. Some of the first SLR digital still photo cameras were over $10,000. A broadcast quality 3-chip video camera would have cost tens of thousands of dollars a decade ago now it can be purchased for under $2,000. This argument does have some validity in an age where services like YouTube deliver sub par quality video to an audience willing to accept its flaws.įortunately, the market of cheap equipment that produces high quality content is growing each day. There is a train of thought that cheap equipment, as long as it does the job, is “good enough for the Web” (a common phrase used in newsrooms). In the world of multimedia storytelling, a debate is raging over the importance of quality of content on the Web. Can the batteries be removed? What type of batteries does it take? Can they be easily obtained? What is the power consumption of the device? Will it last a long time on a single set of batteries/charge?

#AUDIO RECORDER PORTABLE#
These are things to consider when purchasing portable digital audio recorders: We have broken down our reviews of audio recorders into five considerations. It is important to understand the unique differences among all of the different recorders, and what each one offers in terms of features. Although, every year the gap narrows, and a growing “prosumer” market begins to fill that void.
#AUDIO RECORDER PROFESSIONAL#
There is a large gap between cheap “consumer” audio recorders that do not provide quality high enough for general broadcast standards, and professional audio recorders of acceptable quality. Portable digital audio recorders are still in their infancy in terms of cost and ubiquity. It is important to understand the differences in the features each recorder offers. Some are geared specifically for musical recording artists, others are built for electronic news gathering in the field. Portable digital audio recorders are designed for many different uses.
