Best recording device on Reddit

144 reviews from r/audio, r/podcasting, r/Beatmatch and 30 more subreddits

144 reviews from
and
By Brand
/
By Product
#1

Zoom

4.5
(31)
"Zoom recorders are fantastic for that purpose."
·
"Devices from 'Zoom' company? Or if you want very nice quality --- eg. Sony PCM-D100."
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"I would grab a pair of Sennheiser MD-46 microphones an a Zoom recorder such as a Podtrak P4 or a H6 Essential."
·
"I would do a zoom recorder like the with as nice of a mic as you can swing."
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"I have Zoom H6 and it's great."
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"The H5 would be a smarter long term investment because of its versatility."
·
"For run and gun recording with a tiny footprint, the H2n is fantastic."
·
"It comes with a great mic, but you can add more XLR mics as needed. And it sounds great."
·
"The Zoom H series are just fantastic. They might cost a little more than cheap recorders, but they are dirt cheap compared to other professional audio recorders."
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"Room to grow into. Can use xlr and phantom power mics. Can record at different levels for each channel. Lotsa features good for musicians."
·
#2

Tascam

4.6
(16)
"Still works great for both Podcast and Field Recording."
·
"Tascam DR-40x and the Zoom h4n Pro are commonly used in linguistic fieldwork."
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"Great for recording interviews intended for transcription."
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"Very good quality as long as it’s kept out of the red."
·
"Tascam DR-40X works well for me."
·
"Sure, they're called portable audio recorders."
·
"Tascam is also great. I have a DR-40 and it's every bit as good as the Zoom H4N."
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"An easier setup with less room tone."
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"It's very easy to use with a computer and has great features for recording."
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"I get the appeal of using a Tascam or Zoom; they're both solid options and probably won't disappoint in terms of audio quality."
·
#3

Shure

4.1
(9)
"I also have a Sure MV7 that sounds awesome recording directly into any cell phone recording app."
·
"Great microphones for interviews and podcasting."
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"The Shure SM57 is a versatile microphone that sounds great on just about everything."
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"The mic is really directional, blocking most background noise while letting just enough in."
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"Ye Olde SM57 is a great mic."
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"The Shure SM57 is an incredible microphone."
·
"The SM58 is also great, a more traditional dynamic mic."
·
"The SM48 works very well and is about $50."
·
"You have to get in VERY close with the SM58 to get great sound."
#4

Apple

4.7
(7)
"It was worth the $8 and allows me to use my nice mic and my iPhone 15 pro as a camera for my videos."
·
"It's like having a very flexible mixer that also records."
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"Notability is great for recording while taking notes."
·
"Apple has a built in screen recorder you can find by going to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls."
·
"IPhone with a field recording mic will be plenty good."
·
"Using an iPhone as a lapel mic is effective when paired with hands-free headphones."
·
"All iPhones come with these, making them convenient for recording."
#5

Rode

4.8
(6)
"The Rode Wireless Go is brilliant."
·
"Easy to wear and records at a constant level, ideal for older users."
·
"A great microphone that plugs directly into your phone."
·
"If you're going for an external mic, I'd consider a Rode Reporter as opposed to an SM58."
·
"Great for lavalier setup."
·
"Maybe Rode Smart Lav or Cheaper Variants?"
#6

Audacity

4.4
(5)
"Audacity is fantastic. It should remember the recording settings from your last session."
·
"Using Audacity for recording phone conversations results in cleaner sound and easier transcribing."
·
"Some (like Audacity) are free; some (like [Reaper](https://www.reaper.fm/)) are re"
·
"Audacity is easy to use for beginners."
·
"Audacity is a free and user-friendly recording software."
#7

Sony

4.5
(4)
"You can do all that with the PS4 itself ... nothing extra is needed."
·
"You can record stuff right on the PS4."
·
"Not terrible for music; enjoys the slight hiss and imperfections in the background."
·
"If you really want a recording Walkman I’d suggest the Sony recording Walkman lines (the gx-677 f404 etc)"
#8

Blackmagic

4.5
(4)
"That would take an HDMI straight in, and record to a USB C connected drive, something like a Samsung T5/T7."
·
"Blackmagic hyper decks"
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"I highly would recommend the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle or Extreme."
·
"Read each of the differences to find out which best suits you."
#9

Atomos

4.5
(4)
"The Atomos Ninja 5.2" 4K HDMI Recording Monitor is excellent for recording to SSDs."
·
"Probably anything made by Atomos."
·
"The Atomos Ninja is a budget-friendly product that works reliably."
·
"The Atomos Ninja V provides high-quality video recording options."
#10

GoPro

3.4
(5)
"A friend of mine used GoPro footage from underwater with his coaching."
·
"A GoPro is a good option for quality recording at a reasonable price."
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"I am planning on buying a hero 5 with the GoPro Supersuit housing."
·
"A GoPro (or a knockoff) probably won't be great either."
·
"They're designed to have wide-angle lenses, fit in small places, and stand some jostling. As a result they're ill suited to anything else, especially compared to a general purpose camcorder."
#11

Evermix

4.7
(3)
"The Evermix4 has built-in attenuation, which solves the problem of monitoring levels while recording."
·
"Evermix 4."
·
"Works pretty well. Haven’t had any problems yet."
#12

Blackmagic Design

4.0
(3)
"I’d recommend the Blackmagic Design Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7" Recorder/Monitor for its ease of use and functionality."
·
"The ATEM Mini Pro is convenient for recording multiple inputs simultaneously, making editing easier."
·
"The BMD Video Assist is an entry-level device but isn't 100% reliable."
#13

Recording Device

4.5
(2)
"I literally call it my exogenous memory to my wife."
·
"I love this device it does a great job of recording even in a loud large room and the battery lasts forever."
#14

Focusrite

4.5
(2)
"I would strongly recommend saving for Focusrite Solo or Presonus 24c Studio interface."
·
"If you have a computer, you can use a USB audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett."
#15

Olympus

4.5
(2)
"The Olympus tp-8 in ear mic coupled with your dictaphone is a great solution and easily carried in your bag/pocket."
·
"I think the quality is pretty good."
#16

Zoom H4N

4.0
(2)
"Zoom H4N is the standard for basic stereo field recorders."
·
"Get a used zoom h4n."
#17

Zoom H1

4.0
(2)
"If that's required (like for an airy soundscape) look at something like the Zoom H1."
·
"Zoom H1."
#18

Phone

4.0
(2)
"Just use your phone and try to sit close to the professor."
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"There are devices you can use from your phone and you should see if they work for you."
#19

Manfrotto

4.0
(2)
"A decent recorder app on your phone with a small tabletop tripod and bracket can enhance your recording quality."
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"Both the tripod and bracket are quality products that can improve your recording setup."
#20

Digital Recorder

3.5
(2)
"Digital recorder will do it."
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"There are some in-ear microphones that you can plug into a digital recorder."
#21

Blue

3.5
(2)
"It's not studio quality but far better than the internal mic on the phone."
·
"A decent option for entry-level recording, but not the best sound quality."
#22

GV

3.0
(2)
"The GV-USB 2 has records in pretty high quality and is remarkably reliable and simple to use."
·
"I've heard questionable things about its quality."
#23

Apple iPhone

5.0
(1)
"I use my iPhone or Apple Watch. Both record really well."
#24

Apple Watch

5.0
(1)
"I use my iPhone or Apple Watch. Both record really well."
#25

Extron

5.0
(1)
"Extron SMP111"
#26

SpeakApp

5.0
(1)
"Check out speakapp com - the app works on iPhone and with Apple Watch."
#27

CallRecorder

5.0
(1)
"CallRecorder is a great app for recording phone calls on iOS."
#28

900nsx2

5.0
(1)
"OBS remembers your settings so you don't need to set them up every time."
#29

Reloop

5.0
(1)
"I personally use a Reloop Tape 2 to record mixes & it's ace."
#30

Jabra

5.0
(1)
"The college I work at has had a lot of good luck with the Jabra Speak conference mics."
#31

Livescribe

5.0
(1)
"The livescribe smartpen is super cool. It records lectures and what you write."
#32

Boldbeast

5.0
(1)
"It works really well and allows instant recording."
#33

Roland

5.0
(1)
"It's great. Saves to SD card so simple to take out and put in laptop when done. You can 'test' a recording and see the levels before committing."
#34

Neewer

5.0
(1)
"Effective pop filter for clear audio."
#35

OBS

5.0
(1)
"You can always do it the simple way and install OBS (freeware) on the laptop they're using, and record the screen in full HD."
#36

Matrox

5.0
(1)
"A Matrox Monarch HD can record HDMI and also has an HDMI out for your monitor."
#37

WavePad

5.0
(1)
"WavePad Lite is free and has all the features you’ll probably need."
#38

AJA

5.0
(1)
"Not cheap, but the best."
#39

Dazzle

5.0
(1)
"It works fine, I've had it since high school."
#40

Agptek

5.0
(1)
"It records to a USB 3.0 flash drive and works great."
#41

Comica Audio

5.0
(1)
"The dual head lavalier is perfect for capturing audio from two speakers."
#42

Automatic Call Recorder

5.0
(1)
"The app works well for recording calls on Android phones."
#43

TC Electronic

4.0
(1)
"TC Electronics WireTap pedal"
#44

Elgato

4.0
(1)
"The elgato hd records at 30 frames and the elgato hd60 records at 60 frames."
#45

Yamaha

4.0
(1)
"I just use cheap used Yamaha Pocketrak PR-7 and it have really good sound for it's price."
#46

Tascam DR-05X

4.0
(1)
"I've been using a Tascam DR-05X and it's been a really solid recorder."
#47

Zoom H5

4.0
(1)
"[Zoom h5] or [Tascam]."
#48

Tascam DR Series

4.0
(1)
"Tascam DR series."
#49

Physical Recorder

3.0
(1)
"Also been looking for a physical recorder too. Curious if anyone has any recommendations."

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