1. Audio Recorders
What type do I have and what are
its capabilities and limitations?

2. Types of Recorders
• Geared for music recording
• Geared toward news gatherers
• Analog Recorders – Use tape to record
information. Must be converted to digital to edit on an N.L.E.
• Digital recorders – record in a compressed or
uncompressed digital format
• Consumer recorders – inexpensive, not meant
for rough service
• Professional recorders – cost more, but are
made to take more abuse and capture higher quality audio

3. Choosing an audio recorder
• Cost - Generally, newsrooms purchase several audio recorders to
supplement their staff. With prices too high, bulk purchases can
become very costly. You must also weigh in maintenance and repair
costs.
• Quality - Does the recorder give you the ability to use an external
microphone? Very few recorders have built-in microphones that are
useful for field reporting. Does the recorder have XLR (professional
grade) input, Tip-Ring Sleeve (TRS) input or just a mini jack?
• Format - There are two types of audio files: compressed and
uncompressed. Cheap audio recorders will compress all of the audio
it captures. This not only brings down the quality during the capture
process, but when you edit that audio and then re-compressed it,
the audio is further degraded in the finished project. Buy a recorder
that will allow you to capture uncompressed audio (.wav, .aiff)

4. Choosing an audio recorder
• Durability - This is important. Some of these audio recorders are
as expensive as a digital SLR camera, and repairs are on par with
high-end electronic devices as well.
• Power - Probably one of the most overlooked attributes of audio
recorders. Can the batteries be removed? What type of batteries
does it take? Can they be easily obtained? What is the power
consumption of the device? Will it last a long time on a single set of
batteries/charge?

5. Cost vs. Quality
• “Good enough for the web”
• Advanced in technology and cheaper equipment
means quality and cost can live together

6. Inputs
• XLR: This is the highest quality
connector. It is called a "balanced"
connection, which means both the
positive and negative signals are
balanced out to prevent interference.
The third plug is a ground, which also
helps to eliminate unwanted
interference. The cable itself is
generally high quality and can span
long distances. Also, the connector has
a locking mechanism that prevents
accidental removal.

7. Inputs
• Tip-Ring Sleeve (TRS) or 1/4"
jack: This connector is also a balanced
line, so you get all of the benefits of an
XLR cable. The drawback is the lack of
a locking mechanism on the connector,
so these plugs are easier to remove.
This is great for instruments on stage
and sound mixers, as they need to be
unplugged often. For audio recorders,
however, this could mean accidental
disconnects.

8. Inputs
• Mini or 1/8" jack: This is the worst
type of connector. They are generally
very low quality, and the plugs are
notorious for static/drop-outs. Most of
the time, the connector is unbalanced,
so the possibility of interference is
greatly increased. Often, just moving
one of these plugs in their sockets can
result in static, or audio drop-out.

9. Different file types
– WAV (.wav) - "Wave" or waveform audio format. An industry standard
uncompressed format.
– BWV (.wav) - "Broadcast Wave" format. Uses the same extension as wave,
but it includes some additional features for synchronization and larger file
management. (also .w01, .w02, .w03, etc.)
– AIFF (.aif) - "Audio Interchange File Format." An Apple proprietary audio file
format that uses lossless compression, meaning it doesn't lose any quality.
– MP3 (.mp3) - "MPEG 1 Audio Layer 3" format. The most ubiquitous audio
file format. This is a lossy compressed file, meaning you will lose some quality
when recording to this file.
– AAC (.m4a or .aac) - "Advanced Audio Coding" format. A very similar type
to mp3 used heavily by Apple for its iPod and iPhone players. It also uses lossy
compression.
– WMA (.wma) - "Windows Media Audio" a Microsoft Windows proprietary
format that can be both compressed or uncompressed.

10. Power
• One of the more overlooked aspects of audio
recorders. Some audio recorders take
rechargeable batteries. And at least one recorder
has non-removable rechargeable batteries. This
could be very bad should it die in the field.

11. Audio Recorders
What type do I have and what are
its capabilities and limitations?