Even though a modern smartphone can successfully replace almost any gadget, the good old highly specialized devices remain in demand even today. That's why the questions "how to choose a voice recorder / camera / e-reader" remain relevant today. The fact is that highly specialized devices cope with their task at times better than the notorious smartphones, and every specialist can confirm this in his field. That's why no professional journalist will ever agree to replace a full-featured recorder with a combined gadget.

Dictaphone is necessary not only in professional activities, but also in everyday life. At various seminars, lectures and collective interviews, it is simply indispensable, because it allows you to quickly and efficiently record information. In this regard, the recorder has no equal, and rightfully holds the palm of primacy. Just a decade ago, this review would be devoted to two types of sound recording devices - film and digital. But since the film devices have long since sunk into oblivion, it is better to pay attention solely to the digital version.

Before you buy a dictaphone, decide on your goals. A professional journalist should choose a more serious option, for study, you can buy a simpler sample.

Format and quality of recording

The recorder can record sound in various formats. Usually this:

• MP3 is the most common audio recording format. A good option both in terms of memory used, and in terms of quality. This format is read by almost every player, so there will be no problems with playback and decoding. Experts say that MP3 can not transmit a full-quality sound quality, but the hearing of an ordinary person still can not determine this difference.
• WMA - a format that appeared thanks to Microsoft. The quality of the recording here is slightly better than in the case ofMP3, but at the same time memory, this format takes considerably more. There is no particular difference between the two options.
• DSS is a modern format for recording sound with a high level of compression. Excellent voice transfer and best suited for interviewing. The only downside - not every player is able to reproduce such a record.

Recording can be performed with a different bitrate, which you can select in the settings of your device. Each modern recorder provides a choice of bitrate, in which you are going to record sound.

If you stop at 256 kbit / s, you will get an excellent high quality recording, if at the mark of 8 kbit / s - indigestible noise, similar to interference in the walkie-talkie. The bitrate is directly related to the file size - the better the quality, the larger the size.

In modern dictaphones there is both mono and stereo modes. In most cases, mono mode is more than enough, but if you want to record a press conference with a large number of participants, recording in stereo will do much better. Thanks to the recording in the stereo you can perfectly hear each voice and avoid confusion when decrypting.

Pay attention to the frequency range - the optimal option will be 400-4000 Hz.

Memory

The capacity, or the amount of memory, is the main criterion in choosing. The more memory you have, the more information you can record. The capacity of sound recording devices varies from 16 MB to 8 GB, and which option to choose is your business. Whatever it was, the stock does not pull the pocket, so the more information your voice recorder can hold, the better. The optimal option will be the amount of memory in 2-4 GB.

Nowadays, the possibilities of electronic devices are practically unlimited, and the recorder is no exception. Many models are designed to use additional memory cards, which can significantly increase the number of recorded hours.

Do not forget that in the column "maximum capacity" manufacturers usually quote figures from the calculation of the minimum bitrate.

Therefore, do not be guided by the primary data - before you buy a dictophone, you should carefully study the instruction.

The possibility of indexing

Indexing is the ability to make original bookmarks that will help you quickly find the right moment of recording. For example, if you have recorded a lecture from several topics, you can mark each of these topics with your own index for more convenience.

Additional Features

Modern recorder offers a lot of additional features, and one of the most important can be called the ability to connect an external microphone. An external microphone will increase the recording quality, especially when the sound source is far away from you. A microphone is usually not included, so it will have to be purchased separately.

Very useful is the choice of different modes - "on the street "interview" and so on. They allow the best way to adapt to any situation, and to avoid extraneous interference. Also, you can adjust the sensitivity of the microphone according to your needs in order to achieve maximum quality.

Excellent addition - activation with the help of voice. With these features, you can control the device directly during the interview, without pressing any buttons. Stop recording, continue it, turn off the voice recorder - voice control makes operation easier and allows you to save battery power.

If you get a voice recorder withUSBentrance, you simply have to buy it if you appreciate the maximum simplicity and efficiency. Thanks to this input you can connect the device to the computer as a USB flash drive, which will save time.

Some voice recorders can be used as a wiretap for a phone. The system is simple - to make a wiretap, the device is connected to a fixed telephone, and all conversations are recorded on the memory card.

It is worth recalling that such a method of wiretapping is not always legal, and it must be used cautiously.

Whichever recorder you choose, before you buy it, check out its power sources. The best choice will be a voice recorder with built-in battery and charging fromUSBthe entrance. As most people think, charging fromUSBport has long superseded all other methods, so it is advisable to keep up to date.

Of course, many recorders are equipped with an alarm clock,MP3 player, organizer and other delights, but all these additions turn them into the above mentioned combined gadgets. Which option to choose - the choice is yours. If the recorder you selected meets all of the above criteria, you can safely buy it and appreciate all the benefits. The main thing is not to try to save on quality, and then success is guaranteed to you.