Audio Recorder I'm wondering if anyone has used the voice recorder feature much, particularly to record a speaker in a larger auditorium-type space? I'd be interested in feedback on clarity, volume, total recording time, and ease of navigation through recordings later (for transcribing). Also, please indicate if a microphone is necessary for use in this manner.thanks Audio Recorder I'm wondering if anyone has used the voice recorder feature much, particularly to record a speaker in a larger auditorium-type space? I'd be interested in feedback on... » Read More Audio Recorder I'm wondering if anyone has used the voice recorder feature much, particularly to record a speaker in a larger auditorium-type space? I'd be interested in feedback on clarity, volume, total recording time, and ease of navigation through recordings later (for transcribing). Also, please indicate if a microphone is necessary for use in this manner.thanks « Show Less
1460640
After much reviewing MP3 players that recorded, I passed Ipod and Creative, Sansa 280 won!I have 3 things to mentioned about recording/interviewing:1 - Don't get the mic to close to the subject, 10-12" is close enough, otherwise you will have extra noise.2 - Use the record button left of the unit to active automatic recording.3 - Use the lock button, to avoid any problems once finished, unlock and save.I will use this unit at Coachella, so I will have further info on it.Further comments please visit me at http://www.myspace.com/paytareunionprogramPayta After much reviewing MP3 players that recorded, I passed Ipod and Creative, Sansa 280 won!I have 3 things to mentioned about recording/interviewing:1 - Don't get the mic to close to the subject, 10-12" is close enough, otherwise you will have extra noise.2 - Use the record button left of the unit to active automatic recording.3 - Use the lock button, to avoid any problems once finished, unlock and save.I will use this unit at Coachella, so I will have further info on it.Further comments please visit me at... » Read More After much reviewing MP3 players that recorded, I passed Ipod and Creative, Sansa 280 won!I have 3 things to mentioned about recording/interviewing:1 - Don't get the mic to close to the subject, 10-12" is close enough, otherwise you will have extra noise.2 - Use the record button left of the unit to active automatic recording.3 - Use the lock button, to avoid any problems once finished, unlock and save.I will use this unit at Coachella, so I will have further info on it.Further comments please visit me at http://www.myspace.com/paytareunionprogramPayta « Show Less
2271030
Not sure, it is of lesser quality than I expected. Sound system wouldn't be very good for recording if it did have the option. It is more for juvenile use where they don't care how it sounds.
84686
I tried recording from about 12 feet away and it did pick up the sound, but it was at low volume and I recorded in a quiet room. I suspect that in a lecture it would pick up lots of background noise. For your requirement I think you'd be better with a dedicated voice recorder, and perhaps one with a directional microphone.
1140371
I haven't tried that yet. I would like to know myself. And also what the yellow icon is below the headphone and microphone jacks. If it does record properly (in stereo) email me at halsmithnauvoo@gmail.com. As a fellow-owner, we have to help each other out.
109750
I have found that the 3D headphones (from Livescribe) does a great job in cutting ambient noise when recording in a conference setting (or in your case, classroom setting). Also, you can try setting the "Audio Quality" to High - the obvious downside is that your number of recorded hours goes down, but this has never been a problem for me as I sync my pen with Evernote almost daily.
320403
Well, it did record my voice right in front of it, but I didn't have time to try out other recordings, like room sounds,because the recorder snapped it's belt and now sits in the corner awaiting a part. Also, the FM antenna snapped off the first time I tried to pulled out, just before the tape recorder broke down. Good Luck!
497823
Yes but care must be taken not to place on hard surface where everytime your neighbor drops a pencil it's like the fall of a giant redwood-- positioning and aiming the mics will be important. If you are too far from the lecturer to get his / her voice loud and clear, pick an unobtrusive place within a few feet of the lectern... no reason you can't give your recorder a better seat than you. Of course you may have to get creative if you don't want the recorder to be seen. Tape your lecturer at slow speed and play it back fast and you'll finish listening in half the time the recording took. (For conference taping when you and others sit with speaker around a big table, there is a special kind of mic you buy). But for a typical college lecture in a large lecture hall just get the recorder close enough, suitably camouflaged as needed. You need to be a bit of a techie to understand all the features, but you won't need all the features. Good luck!
2237447
The recorder can be set using the 'scene selections' to allow a quick overall setting for a particular place, event, or scene wherethe user would like to record. If recording is at a lecture, that would be one choice of a scene, while dictation would be another. If you would please see this following link it is all explained pretty good... "http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_faqs.asp?id=1553#2&quo;t;
1731189
The problem is that I'd like to use it when recording video, not just for voice notes. It's been very frustrating - sometimes it records in stereo, but most of the time in mono. I haven't been able to figure out what makes the difference.
97018
OFF TOPIC, but I have really gotten unexpected value from the voice recorder - I'm something of a community activist, attend board meetings etc. and find the recorder to be more than adequate to 'tape" meetings - I load the .wav files in Audacity and export as .mp3's - lose a little volume but very compact and portable after that.
1579292
I use it to record music classes. It is outstanding. Parameters need to be turned on so sound isn't too faint nor too saturated. Outside lectures can be difficult for any device but this will do it about as well as anything. Upon getting this I would suggest recording a TV show in your home, radio blasting from your stereo and talking. Learn how to optimize the recorder for various environments and it will pay off on your trip with flawless recordings. If that sounds too complex then get TASCAM DR-40 which can be set to record everything twice. One is called a "safety track" at a lower level so you're sure to have something. Buy a bunch of SD cards and an external hard drive to back up your work. I use it to record music classes. It is outstanding. Parameters need to be turned on so sound isn't too faint nor too saturated. Outside lectures can be difficult for any device but this will do it about as well as anything. Upon getting this I would suggest recording a TV show in your home, radio blasting from your stereo and talking. Learn how to optimize the recorder for various environments and it will pay off on your trip with flawless recordings. If that sounds too complex then get TASCAM DR-40 which can be set to record everything twice. One is called a "safety track" at a... » Read More I use it to record music classes. It is outstanding. Parameters need to be turned on so sound isn't too faint nor too saturated. Outside lectures can be difficult for any device but this will do it about as well as anything. Upon getting this I would suggest recording a TV show in your home, radio blasting from your stereo and talking. Learn how to optimize the recorder for various environments and it will pay off on your trip with flawless recordings. If that sounds too complex then get TASCAM DR-40 which can be set to record everything twice. One is called a "safety track" at a lower level so you're sure to have something. Buy a bunch of SD cards and an external hard drive to back up your work. « Show Less
2281208
It is a great little recorder for the money. I like that it has both reg. record and voice. I bought it for a ghost hunt, didn't pick up ghosts but did pick up conversations from the other people so I think it would be fine. Good luck. Patty
1207899
Yes, I have recorded from the FM tuner several times. I attend conventions throughout the year and record from an FM station. The lecture goes right into the recorder (radio folder). It's as if the speaker was talking right into the recorder. Love it!
246816
Use headphones. With only the recorder's internal speaker, sound is at very low level, barely usable for checking whether you got the desired audio material. With earphones, very good, more than adequate for recreational listening, dependent on the earphones of course. I'd say with high end or monitor headphones (or a good stereo system), it produces excellent output.
209000
Hi Paula, this is exactly what I'm looking for as well. I'm also a freelance writer looking for a recorder that I can refer back to so as to transcribe my notes. I've been trying to do it by hand and I just can't keep up with it. I also have a Macbook Pro if that's a help. Did you end up buying this or do you have another you could recommend. Thank you so much.
1010981
I bought an MZM 100 a couple years ago. The stereo mic that came with it was kind of lame, but it is a great recorder with a dynamite built-in preamp. I can tell you that this one also comes with a stereo mic, and that probably means it records in stereo (2-channels) as well.As an acoustician, I think it would be nice if it recorded at 96 khz (> 4x the maximum threshold of hearing for human beings), but other than that, it has done some good work for me.
1870925
This is a great recorder, and it record in high quality... I think if you just want to record conversations, you could probably find a simpler recorder. I use that all the time as musician, because I can have a real notion of how I played listen to the recording that this thing make. Yes, if you just want record conversations, it is better to find a simpler recorder... :)