Portable Digital Recorder Roundup

What does a portable digital recorder have in common with a farm-fresh egg? You can use an egg to glaze an apple pie, cook a Denver omelet or to make fresh gnocchi. Likewise, you can use a portable digital recorder to capture live music, record the sound in a video shoot or to create a podcast in the field. Just like eggs, portable digital recorders are used by all kinds of different people to do different things. Sadly, you cannot incubate a portable digital recorder and hatch a baby chicken.

Portable digital recorders have become wildly popular, and there are gobs of different models on the market—some of which look almost identical to one another. It’s become really difficult to tell the difference between them. This article was created to help you understand the little details that differentiate the available options, so you can find the one that suits your needs perfectly. B&H InDepth also has a non-model-specific guide that explains various features, inputs, outputs and settings, in the Portable Digital Recorders Buying Guide.

There are several features that most of these recorders share. Most of them can record in different resolutions, from high-quality 24-bit 48 kHz WAV files, to compressed MP3s. All of them are compatible with both Windows and Mac computers. All of the recorders in this article are small enough for handheld use. However, there are some features you may assume every recorder has, when in fact they do not.

The recorders are presented in reverse alphabetical order, with dedicated feature charts for each of the manufacturers. You can use the charts to quickly find the features you need. For example, if you want to mount a recorder to the shoe of a camera with an adapter, you can scan the tables for models that feature tripod mounts. Accessories are suggested for every model as well, including crucially important fluffy windscreens, which are required to create clean recordings outdoors.

Zoom

The Zoom H1 is an ultra compact, candy-bar-sized recorder. Even though it’s small in size, it comes with great sounding stereo microphones, and features a mini mic/line input for external sound sources. The H1 was designed to be easy to use, with a single RECORD button on its face and hardware controls for every setting. It runs on a single AA battery, and includes a 2GB microSD card (it’s compatible with up to 32GB microSDHC cards). There are fluffy windscreens available for the H1 from K-Tek, WindTech and Rycote.

The Zoom H2 was one of the earlier portable recorders to enter the market, and it offered impressive features, like four built-in mics as well as the option to record in stereo or in 5.1 surround. The H2 can also be used as a USB mic when connected to a computer, and has a built-in metronome and instrument tuner. A 1GB SD card is included, along with several other accessories (a table stand, AC adapter, windscreen, etc). B&H offers a Zoom H2 kit that includes the recorder, a 4GB SD card, a protective silicone jacket, a fuzzy windscreen, batteries and a hard case.

The Zoom H2n builds on the popularity of the H2. Like the H2, it too can record in surround, be used as a USB mic, and has a built-in tuner and metronome. The H2n ups the ante by adding an additional mic and the ability to record in Mid-Side mode (for complete info on this feature, check out this B&H InDepth review). The H2n also has a built-in speaker, a better display, improved ergonomics and a dial to control input levels. The Zoom APH-2n accessory package is available separately and includes an AC adapter, remote, case, windscreen and more. K-Tek makes a fluffy windscreen specifically for the H2n.

The Zoom H4n is the first portable digital recorder in this article that features XLR inputs. The H4n is a popular choice for recording the sound in both HDSLR video shoots and for live music, thanks to its ability to record four channels simultaneously, two from the built-in stereo X/Y mics, and two from inputs. In addition to the combo XLR inputs, there is also a 3.5mm stereo mic input. The H4n can supply condenser mics with phantom power, has hi-Z inputs for guitar and bass, built-in effects, variable speed playback, and can act as a USB audio interface. Fluffy windscreens are available from K-Tek and Rycote.

Tascam

The Tascam DR-08 is an ultra-compact portable recorder with versatile built-in mics whose axis can be changed. The mics can be folded upwards to use the recorder like a handheld interview mic. If you’re recording music, you can fold the mics outward for a wider stereo spread. You can flip a small kickstand out of its back, place it on a table, and point the mics upward to unobtrusively record meetings and interviews. Foam windscreens and an AC adapter are available separately.

The Tascam DR-05 is an inexpensive recorder that appeals to musicians on a budget. The built-in fixed omnidirectional stereo mics can handle recording loud sounds (the mics won’t overload in a loud rehearsal room), and the unit has a handy instrument tuner. DR-05 users often praise its extra long battery life and ease of use. An AC adapter and an external battery pack are both available separately.

The Tascam DR-07mkII is also known for being easy to use and having exceptionally long battery life. Its built-in stereo cardioid microphones can be adjusted to record in two positions: X/Y or A/B. The A/B position gives you a wider stereo field, which is beneficial for recording music. The X/Y position has a tighter stereo field, and is useful for general-purpose recording. An AC adapter and an external battery pack are both available separately.

The Tascam DR-1 is a unique recorder with adjustable angle stereo mics and dual external mic inputs, and a dedicated 3.5mm line-level input. It’s not designed to record with two mics simultaneously; the two mic inputs give you the option between a 1/4" and a 1/8" mic input. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that recharges inside of the unit when connected via USB, or when connected to the separately available PSP520 AC adapter. Additional battery packs and a Rycote fluffy windscreen are available separately too.

The Tascam DR-40 is a stand-out recorder because it’s inexpensive, yet it has two locking combo XLR inputs, it can provide phantom power to condenser microphones, and it has the ability to record four tracks simultaneously. You can record with its two inputs and its adjustable stereo cardioid mics at the same time, or you can create a duplicate “safety” version of two tracks internally at a lower input level setting. This way, if you get a spike in volume and your main recording peaks and distorts, the second copy that you’re recording internally will be free of distortion. An AC adapter, external battery pack and a wired remote are available separately.

The Tascam DR-100 is a favorite among HDSLR video shooters. It features four built-in mics (two cardioid and two omnidirectional), and a pair of XLR inputs with phantom power. Hardware dials are provided for adjusting the gain of the mics, and it runs on both an included BP-L2 rechargeable battery and a pair of AAs for nine hours of usage. There are many accessories available separately for the DR-100, such as fuzzy windscreens from K-Tek and Rycote, the STR-DR100 custom case, additional battery packs and a power adapter.

Just in time for the holidays, Tascam has announced the new DR-100mkII. After listening to customer feedback on the original model, the new version of this popular recorder improves upon the quality of its four built-in microphones, adds improved microphone preamps, S/PDIF digital inputs, balanced XLR line-level inputs and locking connectors on the dual XLR inputs.

Sony

The Sony PCM M10 (available in both black and red) is a compact recorder with an impressive build quality, excellent sound quality, and class leading battery life performance. The entire line of PCM series recorders from Sony is among the most highly regarded designs in the industry. Users always gush about their intuitive interface and superior sound quality, and the PCM M10 packs all of these perks into an ultra-compact form factor. Sony makes a nifty carrying case accessory called the CKSM10 that has built-in speakers, and a custom fluffy windscreen called the ADPCM2 for outdoor recording.

The Sony PCM D50 is a favorite amongst those who strive to create the best-sounding recordings. Unlike most recorders, it features separate circuit boards for analog audio, digital audio, recording and power. The result is an ultra-low noise floor for pristine recordings. Many of the built-in microphones in this article look similar, but they are not equals. The built-in mics on the PCM D50 have earned a reputation for being a step or two above the others in sound quality. The D50 offers metal construction and a host of separately available accessories, like the AD-PCM1 fluffy windscreen, VCT-PCM1 table stand, the XLR-1 mic adapter box, an injection molded SKB case, the LCPCMD50G carrying case and the RM-PCM1 remote control.

If you like the way the Sony PCM D50 offers improved circuitry and microphones for superior portable recording quality, but you want to strive for even better sound capture in the field, the Sony PCM D1 is the only way to go. It has a pressed-titanium body and even better sounding built-in microphones than the PCM D50, as well as higher-quality preamps and line input circuitry. The XLR-1 mic adapter, table stand and AD-PCM1 fluffy windscreen accessories for the PCM D50 are also perfectly compatible with the PCM D1.

Roland

The Roland R-05 is a well made, compact recorder with a sturdy aluminum body and features that benefit musicians and new users. A reverb effect is built in, which helps sweeten the sound for singers and instruments. The R-05 has a “rehearsal” function, which automatically adjusts the recording levels for inexperienced users. There’s a bunch of accessories available for the R-05, such as the OP-R05S silicone case, the OP-RP1 carrying pouch, the PSB6U AC adapter, a custom Rycote fluffy windscreen and the OP-MSA1 microphone stand adapter (which is a useful accessory for any portable digital recorder with a 1/4" tripod thread).

The Roland R-26 is one of the more recent portable digital recorders to hit the market, and it has a slew of impressive features. There are two pairs of built-in stereo mics; one set is omnidirectional, the other set is X/Y. It has a pair of combo XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs that can feed external microphones phantom power and accept line-level signals. There is a 3.5mm stereo mic input as well. The R-26 is capable of recording six channels of audio simultaneously, so you can record using the dual combo XLR inputs and the four built-in mics at the same time. It can also be used as a USB audio interface on a computer for recording music and voice-overs. The OP-R26CW accessory kit is available separately and includes a case, shoulder strap and a fluffy windscreen. Porta Brace also makes a dedicated case for R-26.

Marantz

The Marantz PMD620 is a sturdy, compact portable digital recorder that’s surprisingly lightweight (under six ounces). It has large, tactile buttons and a bright OLED display. You can change the font size of the information presented onscreen in the menus. It has some handy transcription features. You can highlight a segment of a recording and copy it into a new, separate file with the press of a button. The Skip Back function allows you to jump back to hear a portion of the recording again during playback. There are accessories available for the PMD620, like the MM-50 fluffy windscreen and the Micro Recorder Pack zippered case.

The Marantz PMD661 is a well-rounded portable digital recorder that’s small enough for handheld use, yet packs enough professional features to make it suitable for heavy-duty field recording. Its XLR inputs are switchable between mic and line-level, and can provide mics with 48 volts of phantom power. A coaxial S/PDIF output enables you to patch recordings out digitally. A large OLED display, its backlit RECORD button and a pair of 10-segment LED meters allow you to operate the recorder with ease. Rycote makes a fluffy windscreen for the PMD661, and Marantz makes a dedicated carrying case.

Korg

The Korg MR 2 is the only handheld portable digital recorder that can record sound using 1-bit Direct Stream Digital (DSD) formats. It enables you to capture sound at 64 times the sampling rate of a standard compact disc. In addition to being able to create these audiophile-pleasing, high-resolution recordings, the MR 2 can also record everything from 24-bit 96 kHz WAV files to compressed MP3s. One of the benefits of recording 1-bit DSD files (aside from the fidelity) is that you can convert them into any other format with the included AudioGate software. The built-in X/Y stereo mic can be rotated 210 degrees (so you can point it at the sound source), and an instrument tuner is included to make life a little easier for musicians.

Korg MR 2
	Microphones	Rotatable X/Y stereo mics
Mic Inputs	3.5mm mic, 3.5mm line
Outputs	3.5mm
Tripod Mount	Yes
Speaker	No
Power	AA Batteries
Memory	SD
Connectivity	Mini USB
Special Features	DSD recording formats, built-in tuner

Alesis

The Alesis TwoTrack is extremely compact and budget friendly. Opposed to being packed with loads of features, it offers a streamlined “do one thing and do it well” approach to portable recording. The result is a recorder that’s easy to use. It has 128MB of internal flash memory and a slot that accepts microSD cards (in capacities up to 8GB). It can record CD-quality 16-bit 44.1 kHz WAV files, or compressed MP3s. It’s a nice little recorder to keep in your backpack or guitar case to capture sounds when inspiration strikes.