Best Lecture Recorder Review – Top Rated Models in 2020 with Buying Guide
If you’re on the lookout for the best recorder for lectures yet you have little time at your disposal, you have come to the right place. Our team has examined various models available for sale and lecture recorder reviews and concluded that the Sony ICD-PX470 is the first option to consider. The item was designed to record sounds and voices clearly and comes with a built-in USB so you can transfer your files with ease. It offers up to 55 hours of battery life so you can use it for extended recordings. In case this item is unavailable, you might want to try the Sony ICDPX370.
Comparison Table
Our Top Choice
Consider this model if you’re interested in recording lectures in superior quality and do so with ease. The product comes with an intuitive menu and settings that will help you optimize your recordings. You can use it to record in MP3 format and linear PCM so you can record voices as well as music. Thanks to the built-in USB connector, you will also enjoy easy and quick file transfer.
Several users say the product quit working after a few weeks of use. These were isolated cases, though.
Give this device a try if you want a recorder that is easy to use and delivers high-quality audio.
2nd Best
Designed to help you record lectures and business meetings easily, this device should also be added to your list of options, considering its specs. The built-in USB connection ensures easy file transfer whereas the 4GB memory enables you to store up to 59hrs35m of recording. Long recordings are also possible thanks to the battery featured. It enables up to 57 hours or recording.
At least one person who tried this recorder says the device did not eliminate background noise too much.
You might want to consider this item for ease of use and generous storage memory.
Versatile and easy to use, this recorder is ideal for lectures and business meetings. Due to the direct USB connector, you will be able to transfer your files easily and quickly. The device can be used by beginners as well since the Simple Mode will display only the most important information. Voice clarity is enhanced by the noise-cancellation function. The built-in stand prevents surface vibration.
One user says the buttons are too tiny to manipulate whereas another consumer says the volume is not high enough.
Capture voices in superior quality with this easy-to-use and versatile digital recorder.
6 Best Lecture Recorders (Reviews) in 2020
Finding a good recorder for lectures might be intimidating, considering the many lecture recorder models available. To simplify your experience and help you find the right lecture recording device for your needs, we have examined both expensive and cheap recorders for lectures, selected the most appreciated ones, and reviewed them below.
- 1. Sony ICD-PX470 Digital Wide-Stereo MP3 Voice Recorder
- 2. Sony ICD-PX370 Mono Digital Voice Recorder with Built-In USB
- 3. Olympus WS-853 MP3 Digital Stereo Voice Recorder with 8 GB Flash Memory
- 4. VN-7200 Digital Voice Recorder
- 5. Sony ICDTX800B.CE7 Digital PCM/MP3 Voice Recorder
- 6. Olympus WS-852 MP3 Digital Stereo Voice Recorder with 4 GB Flash Memory
- Yearly Guide & Report
1. Sony ICD-PX470 Digital Wide-Stereo MP3 Voice Recorder
The first option you might want to pay attention to when looking for audio recorders is this model from Sony. Committed to helping you record sounds and voices in superior clarity, the unit will enable you to record and listen in MP3 format and linear PCM. This means you will be able to record both music and voices as well as long lectures.
The device features a built-in USB connection that makes it possible for you to transfer your files to your PC easily and rapidly. Thanks to the expandable memory and the long battery life, you will be able to record long meetings or lectures without worrying that you will run out of space or battery.
The unit offers various settings such as the Focus Mode, Auto Voice Recording, and the Transcription Playback Mode, so you can choose the one that suits your specific needs best. Thanks to the S-microphone system, you can even capture distant or quiet sounds.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($51.99)
2. Sony ICD-PX370 Mono Digital Voice Recorder with Built-In USB
Another product you might want to pay attention to when in need of a device for recording lectures in college or even at home is the ICDPX370 from Sony. Just like the previous model, this one comes with a built-in USB connection so you can easily and rapidly transfer files to your PC.
You can record in the MP3 format, which means that you can use it for recording long meetings and lectures as such formats require less memory. The 4GB memory will enable you to store up to 59hrs35m of recording. Plus, the battery offers the possibility to record up to 57 hours.
The various settings the unit comes with will enable you to cover various recording needs. You can thus use the Auto Voice Recording feature to reduce background noise and enjoy clearer voice recordings. The device boasts four “scene” presets that will enable you to optimize your recording even more.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($41.98)
3. Olympus WS-853 MP3 Digital Stereo Voice Recorder with 8 GB Flash Memory
If high sound clarity, ease of use, and versatility are the features you’re interested in, this model from Olympus shouldn’t go unchecked before you make your final decision. Ideal for many recording environments, this device can be used for business meetings and college lectures, just to name a few.
The direct USB connector will help you save your files rapidly and easily. Moreover, the item comes with a protective case to prevent dust from getting into the connector. Thanks to the new Intelligent Auto Mode, the product will automatically adjust the mic sensitivity based on the volume of the speaker.
The product is also easy to use and is intended even for beginners who don’t know much about how to record lectures. The Simple Mode will support novices displaying only the most important information. Due to the noise-cancellation function, the item will significantly reduce unwanted noise. Surface vibration is prevented by the built-in stand.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($71)
4. VN-7200 Digital Voice Recorder
What you get with this model from Olympus is versatility, ease of use, and hundreds of hours of recording time. The unit offers the simplicity of analog recorders yet the excellent features of modern technology. The device boasts features that render it ideal for recording in a variety of environments. You can thus take it to your classroom or even to a boardroom.
The recorder features three recording modes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. The simplistic design will make it easy to record even if you have no prior experience in this field. The menu is user-friendly and you also get the fast/slow playback feature.
What’s great about this voice recorder is that it offers 1,151 hours of recording time. Therefore, if voice recording is part of your regular activities, this product should not be ignored before you make your final decision.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($29.99)
5. Sony ICDTX800B.CE7 Digital PCM/MP3 Voice Recorder
Designed with lectures and business meetings in mind, this stereo digital voice recorder from Sony is also worth considering if you need to capture voices in high-quality audio. The unit is easy to use as well as light and thin enough to ensure ease of transportation and storage.
It features various settings that will optimize your recording based on your needs and the recording environment. The interface is user-friendly, so you can easily find your files or monitor the different levels of your recording. The device can record in MP3/LPCM formats and comes with direct USB built-in for quick and easy file transfer.
Recording long lectures is not an issue when it comes to this device as it features 4 GB of built-in storage that you can further expand via MicroSD cards. It supports both SDHC and SDXC. It has a built-in lithium battery that takes only 3 minutes to charge for 1 hour of recording.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($69.29)
6. Olympus WS-852 MP3 Digital Stereo Voice Recorder with 4 GB Flash Memory
If you’re not satisfied with the way a lecture recording app captures the seminars or classes you attend and you’ve decided to try a digital voice recorder, another model you might want to add to your list of options is the WS-852 from Olympus. The unit comes with features that will help you enjoy high-quality recording with a remarkable stereo experience.
Thanks to the True Stereo Mic system that includes two directional microphones, you will enjoy high audio clarity. This benefit is further enhanced by the voice filter that is designed to reduce the noise usually produced when small sounds are amplified.
The unit comes with a built-in USB connector, which means that you will be able to rapidly and easily transfer your files and, thus, save your data. The item offers over 100 hours of battery life. Plus, you can store up to 1,000 hours of recording. This means that you can comfortably use it even for long recordings.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($49.95)
Yearly Guide & Report
Whether you need to record seminars and lectures or business meetings, the use of quality recording equipment is mandatory if you want to enjoy clarity and high-quality audio when listening to those recordings. If you think the best way to record lectures is by using a digital recorder and you are thus interested in finding the best voice recorder for lectures, you might find this guide to be of help.
Just like when you’re looking for studio recording microphones or home studio mics to help you with your practice, there are some features you need to keep in mind in order to find a quality lecture recorder. We have highlighted them below.
Storage space and battery life
Recording lectures usually involves long recordings. Plus, there is a difference between recording musical instruments such as an electric ukulele or your voice accompanied by an acoustic electric guitar and only the voice of a lecturer or of the people involved in a business meeting.
This means that you will not only need a recorder that was specifically designed for that in order to enjoy high-quality recordings but you will also need a generous storage memory and battery life. Therefore, look for a device that has at least 4GB internal memory and offers the possibility to expand it via a memory card.
Consider the battery life of the device you want to buy as well. Many models available for sale come with a battery life that enables up to 60 hours of recording time. Some expensive models offer even a longer battery life.
USB connection and recording settings
Voice recorders come with settings that will allow you to minimize background noise and thus improve voice clarity. You might want to check the settings a device offers before you place your order. Many models feature options such as the Auto Voice Recording setting in order to reduce unwanted noise and thus enhance the speaker’s voice clarity. Consider such a model.
If you need to transfer your recordings to your computer, then you might want to get a recorder that features a built-in USB connector. Such a specification will enable you to save your data and transfer files to and from your PC easily and rapidly.
Moreover, you can even recharge the battery using the USB connector. This possibility will help you save money as you won’t have to buy new batteries that often. You can simply plug in the recorder into your PC and let it charge while you’re doing something else or simply overnight.
Still, it is recommended to use a cable to connect the recorder to your computer. You can thus prevent the USB connector from breaking off or getting damaged when transferring your files.
User-friendly menu
Thanks to the latest technologies in this field, you can now find lecture recorders that will make it easy to capture the voices you’re interested in even if you don’t have any prior experience. Some units come with simple and advanced play modes to meet the needs of users of different experience levels.
In the simple mode, you would usually see only the most important information regarding your recording levels and settings. It is best to try the menu a bit before you make any purchase. See if it is easy enough for you.
In case you’re more advanced as far as voice recording is regarded, you can always opt for a more complex device in order to customize your experience according to your needs.
Durability and budget
Just like when you’re looking for studio microphones for vocals or studio headphones for your practice, another important aspect to keep in mind is durability. This feature is usually directly related to the price of the device. Still, you can find durable recorders even if they are not expensive.
Therefore, look for a compact, sturdy recorder that can keep up with extended use. Avoid designs that feature cheap plastic parts that are likely to break or have components that stick out. Choose a device that sports quality materials no matter if you use the recorder extensively or just now and then.
Bibliography:
2) Lecture recording – what you should know
3) How to Get the Most of Recording College Lectures
5) The value of recording lectures
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