True musicians know that carrying a quality audio recorder with them wherever they go is a serious necessity. In fact, recording sounds in an instant is a great way for musicians to help along the creative process, as well as lessen those expensive sessions at the recording studio.
But if you’re having a hard time choosing a compact digital recorder for those spontaneous recording sessions or live performances, don’t fret. Listed here are some of the best portable recorders for musicians who are interested in capturing crisp sounds and vocals.
The Best Portable Audio Recorders for Musicians
Tascam DR-22WL ()
The Tascam DR-22WL features Wi-Fi capabilities for transport control, file transfer, and audio streaming to the user’s computer or smartphone. It delivers perfect stereo imaging through a true XY pattern arrangement on its stereo condenser mics. Recording excellent audio and sharing them with your peers online is much easier as well, thanks to the recorder’s Scene Dial function and other innovative features.
This compact digital recorder is perfect for capturing live sound: It can clearly record rehearsals, concerts, and other environments with loud audio, making it one of the best portable digital recorders for live music. And if you’re just recording guitar riffs or vocals, the Scene Dial feature gives you optimal settings that’ll suit your current recording environment. The DR-22WL even provides a larger display and four function keys for better menu navigation.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: microSD/SDHC/SDXC Cards
- Recording Formats: WAV, BWF, & MP3
- Audio Channels: 2 Stereo Channels
- Analog Input/Output: 1 3.5mm (⅛”) Stereo Mini Input Jack & 1 3.5mm (⅛”) Stereo Mini Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB & Wi-Fi
- Weight: 6 oz / 170 g with Batteries; 4.3 oz / 121.9 g without Batteries
Tascam DR-05 ()
The DR-05 is a user-friendly, compact powerhouse with high-quality stereo recording capabilities. It features built-in condenser mics with up to 125dB SPL sensitivity for crisp sound in loud recording environments. The sensitivity rating lets the recorder capture every modulation and detail that a performance has. It also delivers higher noise performance through separate digital and analog circuit boards.
When it comes to operability, the DR-05 offers an updated layout for fast and simple operation using your thumb. Pressing a button will let you use various functions such as recording, level adjustment, and adding markers. There’s also a Peak Reduction setting, which changes your audio input to the best level after listening to it. Other features include Variable Speed Audition and Level Align functions, as well as a built-in speaker.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: microSD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: BWF, MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 2 Stereo Channels
- Analog Input/Output: 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) Stereo Mini Input Jack & 1 3.5mm (⅛”) Stereo Mini Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 4.1 g / 116 oz (Without Batteries)
Zoom H6 ()
The first Zoom recorder on our best digital music recorder list is hailed as the audio arena’s ultimate chameleon with four interchangeable input capsules. The H6 lets you record live concerts using its X/Y capsule. This capsule allows for overall audio recording in stereo, while the other inputs can directly record mixing board audio or certain instruments and the room sound from external spot mics.
But if you just want to record songs on-the-go, plugging a Dual XLR/TRS capsule into this recorder turns it into your very own six-track studio. You can even create more polished recordings and balance out any acoustic issues or restrictions with the H6’s array of onboard effects. This portable music recorder also features an onboard chromatic metronome and guitar/bass tuner for capturing instrumentals and vocal pitches.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards
- Recording Formats: BWF, MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 6 Tracks
- Analog Input/Output: 4 Combo XLR 3.5 mm (⅛”) Input Jacks & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) Stereo Mini Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 9.9 oz / 280 g
Zoom H4n Pro ()
The H4n Pro offers a 140dB SPL sensitivity rating, letting it record a variety of musical genres live. Its X/Y microphones allow for room ambience capture using a line-level feed from your mixing console. These features make the recorder an ideal tool for recording live performances.
Making full tracks wherever you go is also a breeze with the H4n Pro. That’s because it features overdubbing, punch-in functions, and studio-quality instrument effects and emulators. You can even use this Zoom recorder as a USB audio interface for your Mac or PC. This feature gives you two audio inputs and outputs.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: SD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 4 Tracks
- Analog Input/Output: 1 XLR Combo Input Jack & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 10.4 oz / 294 g
Zoom H5 ()
With the H5, you get four-track simultaneous recording capabilities and great mic options for different recording environments. Its X/Y recording feature is a perfect tool for capturing all live recording situations in stereo sound, since it provides broad area coverage with clear, defined sound. The H5’s X/Y capsule lets you achieve this effect through a pair of 90° unidirectional condenser mics, which provide up to 140dB SPL of sensitivity.
This portable music recorder also enables overdubbing through its Multi-File mode, where you can add instrumental tracks to your first recording. And just like the H4n Pro, the H5 works as an audio interface for a Mac or PC set-up. It offers a Loop Back function for easier playback narration when you connect it to your computer via USB. The recorder even provides you with free Cubase and WaveLab LE licenses if you’re keen on making actual music.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: SD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: BWF, MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 4 Tracks
- Analog Input/Output: 2 XLR Combo Input Jacks & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TLR Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 6.2 oz / 176 g
Zoom H1n ()
If you want a compact recorder that can easily capture clear live sound (and is user-friendly), this next Zoom device is your best bet. The H1n gives you a distortion-free audio signal up to 120dB SPL with its onboard limiter. This limiter records clean sound in live performances, even if you’re recording the loudest of bands. And with a low-cut filter, you’ll get no pops and undesirable frequency rumbles as you record.
The H1n delivers richer and fuller recordings through its overdub function, as well as an easier recording experience, thanks to one-touch button controls. This recorder provides free Cubase and WaveLab LE software licenses for producing and editing tracks on your computer.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: microSD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: BWF, MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 2 Tracks
- Analog Input/Output: 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Input Jack & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 2.1 oz / 60 g
Zoom H2n ()
Packed with five built-in mics and four recording modes, the H2n lets you capture live concerts and rehearsals in stereo or surround sound. The built-in mics have different configurations: a X/Y pattern for two mics and a MS (Mid-Side) arrangement for the three other mics. These mics let you record performances in stereo when you use them separately. You can even produce recordings in two or four-channel surround sound by combining the built-in mics.
The H2n also offers other features perfect for music recording. These functions include various onboard effects, a metronome, and a chromatic guitar/bass tuner. It even has a USB port for file transfer and audio interface functions. The latter comes with four inputs and two outputs.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: SD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: BWF, MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 4 Tracks
- Analog Input/Output: 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Input Jack & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 4.6 oz / 130 g (Without Batteries)
Tascam DR-40 ()
The DR-40 features four-track recording using built-in, high-quality condenser mics and XLR mic or line inputs. It also offers various recording options such as dual recording, four-channel recording, and overdubbing. Dual recording lets this recorder capture the same sound source at two different audio levels, while four-channel recording allows it to record two different stereo sources at the same time. On the other hand, the DR-40’s overdubbing mode lets you create your own music or song demo by capturing a new sound source over a pre-recorded one.
The recorder boasts other features and functions as well. A digital EQ and a Level Align function help prevent sudden volume increase while you record. It even detects peaks and automatically adjusts them to ideal levels through the Peak Reduction function. You also get rich and full vocals and instrumentals with a reverb effect. And last but definitely not least, the DR-40 delivers less low frequency noise through three low cut filter levels.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: SD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 4 Channels (with 2 Stereo Channels)
- Analog Input/Output: 2 ¼” Combo XLR Input Jacks & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) Stereo Mini Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 7.5 oz / 213 g (Without Batteries)
Roland R-07 ()
Don’t let the R-07’s stylish and extremely compact design fool you: it comes with essential features for recording. The device offers one-touch recording, which gives you completely professional results and makes it user-friendly. It even adjusts different settings such as the sample rate, record mode, and input level to ideal recording levels through its Scene function.
The R-07 also offers Dual Recording and Hybrid Limiting features for hassle-free sound capture. The Dual Recording function lets the recorder produce two recordings at the same time: a full-level clip and a lower-level recording with higher headroom. It even lets you use a specific part of the latter as a replacement for a clipped part in your first recording. That’s where Hybrid Limiting comes in: it automatically handles the above-mentioned change.
You can record musical tracks using this digital music recorder as well. It features a digital tuner and metronome, as well as several reverb effects, leading to more creative productions.
Key Specifications:
- Storage: microSD/SDHC Cards
- Recording Formats: MP3, WAV
- Audio Channels: 2 Tracks
- Analog Input/Output: 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Mic Input Jack & 1 3.5 mm (⅛”) TRS Headphone Output Jack
- Connectivity: USB
- Weight: 5.3 oz / 150 g (With Batteries)
