Hi folks, we've been busy researching external audio recorders to help you figure out what you need to make your best audio and video content and stay on budget.
Links to all the products on Amazon are included, as well as on other online retailers where available. Links are regionalised to your local Amazon store where possible.
Now, before I move on, I'd love to hear what external audio recorder you're using right now and what you think of it. Let me know in the comments!
Let's get into it!
Evistr L53 PCM
The Evistr L53 PCM audio recorder has a sensitive microphone that is helpful when recording lectures. It also supports an external microphone that lets you record audio and hear it at the same time. This external audio recorder is used mainly for simple recordings but it does its job well. The Evistr L53 can record audio from up to 12 meters or 40 feet away and hold around 300 hours of recording with its built-in 8-gigabyte memory.
If simple operation is what you're looking for, the L53 can deliver. It has a voice activation feature that lets you save storage by stopping the recording when there is no audible sound. The operation is straightforward and doesn't waste time.
The audio and gain control feature lets you control your recording on the spot, giving you better sound quality.
The Evistr L53 is small and compact but very durable; you don't have to worry about space when you're carrying this as it fits in most pockets.
It is a good value recorder for people who will use it for daily recordings, like writers, students or professors who wish to record their lectures.
EVISTR L53 - (PAID LINK) - https://geni.us/IRdRFF
Roland R-07
The Roland R-07 is a high-quality, stylish and portable audio recorder. It fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it a great external audio recorder for on-location interviews.
The wireless monitoring afforded by its Bluetooth feature lets you monitor and control the settings from any compatible device.
It has a hybrid limiter and dual recording, as well as wireless headphone and speaker playback. This is incredibly useful to ensure that your recording is perfect.
Musicians don't have to be left out because the Roland R-07 also employs a tuner, metronome and rehearsal function.
With the press of a single button, the Roland R-07 demos and adjusts your levels with ease. It also has one mic or aux input and a headphone input. The Roland R-07 differs from other pocket recorders because of its all-rounder nature; it is a simple yet versatile device that is great for beginners.
The small package makes the Roland R-07 a clutter-free recorder that does not need too many wires to give you the sound quality you desire.
Another great feature is its screen, which bridges the simplicity of pocket recorders and sophisticated audio recorders. The Roland R-07 gives you the quality you want without the complicated setup other audio recorders need. It has its own app that lets you connect to a nearby R-07 device without the need to change your wifi settings.
Overall, the Roland R-07 is a great choice for anyone looking for a portable and easy-to-use external audio recorder without wanting to sacrifice the good features you may find in bulkier recorders.
Buy the Roland R-07 - (PAID LINK) - https://geni.us/poKR
Zoom H1n
The Zoom H1n is a versatile and handy recorder that has kept the features that were well-loved in its predecessor and further improved on them.
It has a simple stereo pickup and unlimited overdubs that make recording music, audio, and speech easier.
The Zoom H1n's upgraded features include one-touch buttons dedicated to recording, playback and audio settings.
If distortion when recording high-volume audio has ever been a concern for you, the Zoom H1n will put you at ease. It allows distortion-free audio recording of up to 120 decibels. This is a feature that will let you pull out the dynamics for dialogue or musical performances without sacrificing sound quality.
Let's not forget battery life. With two triple-A batteries, the Zoom H1n promises up to 10 hours of operation. If that isn't enough, it also has a crisper backlit display, auto-record and self-timer.
Storage won't be a problem as the Zoom H1n supports a micro-SD card of up to 32-gigabytes.
This audio recorder fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it simple and versatile, two of its strongest features.
The Zoom H1n also has built-in XY microphones but still supports external microphones. This gives you the freedom to choose your own sound source by adding any microphone you like.
The Zoom H1n is a safe choice for anyone looking for a good audio recorder. Nothing is sacrificed when it comes to quality, but it won't leave such a large dent in your wallet.
Buy the Zoom H1n - (PAID LINK) - https://geni.us/zmbNO8J
Tascam DR-40X
The Tascam DR-40X is an external audio recorder for music, podcast and sound effects.
This portable recorder is capable of capturing up to 4 tracks of high-quality audio without the need for an external microphone.
The DR-40X has onboard unidirectional condenser microphones with stereo capture, and when used with a line input microphone 2 times stereo capture as well.
This audio recorder also has flexible powering methods. It supports double-A batteries, USB power or an AC adapter. This feature lets you use the DR-40X on the go during interview-type recordings or computer-based audio production.
There are also selectable modes that give you options to achieve a clean and undistorted recording aside from the built-in mics, such as stereo safety track recording, peak reduction, limiting and auto-level.
If the thought of more storage has ever crossed your mind, then the Tascam DR-40X can grant your wishes. This recorder surprisingly supports up to 128-gigabyte SD cards, which is ideal for continuous recording.
The compact and light design of this recorder adds to its portability. Whether you use the device in your hand, sticking out of your pocket, on a tripod or mic stand, the design ensures that you won't have a difficult time accessing the buttons.
The Tascam DR-40X has features that will be useful for filmmakers or people who record line level.
Overall, this device ensures that every penny is well spent with the quality and versatility it offers.
Buy the Tascam DR-40X - (PAID LINK) - https://geni.us/vLhYN
Zoom H4n Pro
The Zoom H4n Pro is everything you want and more. This external audio recording device was designed to be many things to many people. The one thing you can confidently call it is functional.
The H4n Pro has an onboard stereo microphone that provides clear and phase-accurate capture. It can also capture sound in two different X Y positions; a 90-degree angle for a tight area and a 120-degree angle for a wider range. These features make it a useful tool to record practice sessions, podcasts, interviews, and more.
The Zoom H4n Pro can also record sounds of up to 140 decibels without distorting the original quality of the audio.
You can also record up to 4 channels live and overdub the layers.
If storage is an important feature in the audio recorder that you're looking for, don't worry, the Zoom H4n Pro has your back. It supports an SDHC card with up to 32-gigabyte capacity.
It has two power options: you can use either double-A batteries or an AC adapter.
The rubberized body of the Zoom H4n Pro allows you to grip it comfortably when using it handheld.
There is also a threaded hole in the back for mic stands or a tripod. This eliminates the need for a stand adapter.
The audio processing that the Zoom H4n Pro offers is also extensive, with effects such as compression, limiting, reverb, delay, echo, modulation, a low-cut filter, and more.
Ideally, the Zoom H4n Pro is a good match for musicians and vocalists. You can record and produce studio-quality tracks on just one portable and compact device.
Buy the Zoom H4n Pro - (PAID LINK) - https://geni.us/UzpDeT6
I have the original Zoom H4 and it was amazing at the time with built-in effects for guitar. It is a bit fiddly to operate. I still use it now and then, especially if I am out somewhere I don't want to be lugging lots of gear. For a while it was my PC audio interface and microphone. Obviously things have moved along a bit, but audio quality is the main thing.
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