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.
Features to Look for in an Audio Recorder for Music
Storage Type
Various of the best portable recorders use different kinds of memory cards. For example, smaller recorders typically use microSD cards, which have a maximum capacity of two gigabytes. However, if the device supports microSDHC (HC meaning “high capacitiy”), you can use a card up to 32 gigabytes.
A full-sized SDHC provides up to 32 gigabytes of space, while an SDXC card gives you over 32 gigs worth of storage. This is perfect for prolific musicians who heavily rely on their music recorder device.
Recording Formats
The most common recording formats are WAV, BWF, and MP3. WAV and BWF are both lossless formats, meaning they encode and retain the largest amount of binary information for a high-quality recording. Their file size is also the biggest.
MP3 is a lossy format that trims file size by cutting out “unnecessary” information in the signal. The result is lower fidelity, but would be perfectly adequate for demoing songs.
Audio Channels
A portable recorder provides the ability to record a certain number of tracks simultaneously. It typically ranges from two to six, so you could theoretically record a few musicians at once with a four- or six-track music recorder device.
I/O
Here’s one of the most important features, because it can vary quite a bit between devices. The best portable recorder for musicians is going to have flexible inputs and outputs for a variety of situations. Above all, if you plan to use external microphones with your recorder, you’ll be looking for XLR or XLR/TS combo jacks to support direct recording with a mic or instrument. As far as output is concerned, pretty much all of the best portable recorders will have a headphone output; usually it’ll be 3.5mm to keep size to a minimum.
The Best Portable Recorders for Musicians
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.
Being one of the best portable recorders, it 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)
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)
