Recording Device reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 153 Reddit reviews across 34 subreddits and 44 posts to rank the best Recording Device brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/podcasting, r/audio, r/Beatmatch, r/piano, r/LocationSound. Top-rated brands include Zoom (4.5/5), Tascam (4.6/5), Shure (4.1/5).
Stats
Reviews153
Subreddits34
Posts44
Brands44
Products79
153 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Zoom
4.5
(40)
"Zoom recorders are fantastic for that purpose."
"For ease of use, I’d suggest one of Zoom’s lineup - H4N Pro is a good one."
"Devices from 'Zoom' company? Or if you want very nice quality --- eg. Sony PCM-D100."
"I’d recommend the H6. It has x/y microphones but you can add additional microphones through xlr."
"I have a the H4N. The noise levels are really impressively low."
"Zoom H4n Pro"
"I would probably go for something like Zoom H4n Pro. It's tried and tested."
"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."
"I have Zoom H6 and it's great."
#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."
"Great for recording interviews intended for transcription."
"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."
"An easier setup with less room tone."
"It's very easy to use with a computer and has great features for recording."
"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."
"The Shure SM57 is a versatile microphone that sounds great on just about everything."
"The mic is really directional, blocking most background noise while letting just enough in."
"Ye Olde SM57 is a great mic."
"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."
"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
4.7
(7)
"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."
"How would it be if i buy a rode sc6 and 2x smart lav plus with my phone."
"Maybe Rode Smart Lav or Cheaper Variants?"
#6
GoPro
3.6
(7)
"If you want to go the GoPro way, then get the GoPro (whichever model you want), remove the internal battery and power it via USB."
"I'd go with the Hero 9 or the Hero 8 and just record at 30FPS."
"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."
"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."
#7
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."
#8
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)"
#9
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"
"I highly would recommend the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle or Extreme."
"Read each of the differences to find out which best suits you."
#10
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."
#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
Blue Yeti
4.3
(3)
"For the under-$500 price range, you will be hard pressed to find something better than a Blue Yeti mic."
"Blue Yeti has to be connected to your computer to record. The setup is as easy as it gets though."
"But also consider the Blue Yeti USB mic if you don't need the portability."
#13
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."
#14
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."
#15
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."
#16
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."
#17
Zoom H4N
4.0
(2)
"Zoom H4N is the standard for basic stereo field recorders."
"Get a used zoom h4n."
#18
Zoom H1
4.0
(2)
"If that's required (like for an airy soundscape) look at something like the Zoom H1."
"Zoom H1."
#19
Phone
4.0
(2)
"Just use your phone and try to sit close to the professor."
"There are devices you can use from your phone and you should see if they work for you."
#20
Manfrotto
4.0
(2)
"A decent recorder app on your phone with a small tabletop tripod and bracket can enhance your recording quality."
"Both the tripod and bracket are quality products that can improve your recording setup."
#21
Digital Recorder
3.5
(2)
"Digital recorder will do it."
"There are some in-ear microphones that you can plug into a digital recorder."
#22
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."
#23
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."
#24
EchoMeter
5.0
(1)
"If active, the EchoMeter Touch 2 (it's not bluetooth but is the standard active detector)."
#25
SongMeter
5.0
(1)
"If passive, the SongMeter Mini Bat (bluetooth and the easiest to use bat detector I have ever used)."
#26
Apple iPhone
5.0
(1)
"I use my iPhone or Apple Watch. Both record really well."
#27
Apple Watch
5.0
(1)
"I use my iPhone or Apple Watch. Both record really well."
#28
Extron
5.0
(1)
"Extron SMP111"
#29
SpeakApp
5.0
(1)
"Check out speakapp com - the app works on iPhone and with Apple Watch."
#30
CallRecorder
5.0
(1)
"CallRecorder is a great app for recording phone calls on iOS."
#31
900nsx2
5.0
(1)
"OBS remembers your settings so you don't need to set them up every time."
#32
Reloop
5.0
(1)
"I personally use a Reloop Tape 2 to record mixes & it's ace."
#33
Jabra
5.0
(1)
"The college I work at has had a lot of good luck with the Jabra Speak conference mics."
#34
Livescribe
5.0
(1)
"The livescribe smartpen is super cool. It records lectures and what you write."
#35
Podbean
4.0
(1)
"Podbean and riverside have recording apps."
#36
Riverside
4.0
(1)
"Podbean and riverside have recording apps."
#37
Webcam
4.0
(1)
"A webcam might be a good solution."
#38
TC Electronic
4.0
(1)
"TC Electronics WireTap pedal"
#39
Elgato
4.0
(1)
"The elgato hd records at 30 frames and the elgato hd60 records at 60 frames."
#40
Yamaha
4.0
(1)
"I just use cheap used Yamaha Pocketrak PR-7 and it have really good sound for it's price."
#41
Tascam DR-05X
4.0
(1)
"I've been using a Tascam DR-05X and it's been a really solid recorder."
#42
Zoom H5
4.0
(1)
"[Zoom h5] or [Tascam]."
#43
Tascam DR Series
4.0
(1)
"Tascam DR series."
#44
Physical Recorder
3.0
(1)
"Also been looking for a physical recorder too. Curious if anyone has any recommendations."
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