How to Choose a Handheld Digital Recorder

A handheld digital recorder can serve so many purposes, from everyday casual recordings to professionals conducting interviews or carrying out field recordings. In this guide, we'll be going over all the information that'll help you decide on a great recorder for whatever your application!

To make everything as easy as possible for you, we’ve broken this guide down into 3 main sections: A quick guide on the key details, a section on the brands to look out for and a final in-depth section that goes into much more detail.

Two track - Ambient Recording / Band practice / Field recording

Some very common applications to use a handheld recorder include recording a live music performance (just as a band rehearsal or live show) or field recordings – such as sounds of nature.

A two-track recorder would suit this type of application well, as you’ll be able to capture a stereo sound to give a sense of positioning in your recording.

Four track - Interviews / Conferences

A four-track recorder is a great option for recording things like conferences or interviews, where you might want to clearly capture the speakers with extra dedicated tracks used to capture crowd or background noise separately to give the listener a greater sense of immersion in the recording environment.

Our videos taken at NAMM are a great example of this method. We dedicate one track to backing music, while the mics used for commentary and interviews use 2 of the other tracks. This is done because it’s imperative to have dedicated controls for each track. Likewise, if you’re a reporter conducting an interview, you’re going to want to keep each voice isolated in a different track as different people speak at different volumes and will require different adjustments. This holds true even if you’re using less than 4 tracks.

Portable Interface

Some handheld recorders also function as handy portable audio interfaces. This dual functionality is a bonus for those who want to record to their DAW in a remote setting or on-the-go. It’s also a handy way to add overdubs to a recording.

It’s also likely to be a simpler piece of gear than your typical audio interface, which may be a benefit for those who struggle with tech or just want a quick alternative.

Video capabilities

Some handheld recorders also feature an on-board camera, which could be a crucial feature for some of you. If you’re recording your new song at band practice, you probably don’t need video to accompany the audio. However, if you’re recording a live on-stage performance for example, video footage might be a desirable addition.

Different capsules feature different polar patterns, with each suiting different applications more than others. You may want the flexibility to change out your capsule, depending on your project.

If you’re carrying out a nature recording for example, it may be beneficial to have a system in place that allows you to swap out different options.

An omnidirectional capsule could be ideal for capturing soundscapes, whereas a capsule with a directional pattern, such as a cardioid pattern, would capture a specific source like a bird with greater focus.

The build quality of any purchase is of great importance. You can often save money by buying a product made from a cheaper material, and this may be fine if the features available and the quality of recordings suit your needs. However, you may find that a more robust chassis makes a big difference, especially with a product designed to be taken out of the house and used on the go.

It's painful to open your bag to be greeted by the sight of broken gear, and this is of course a risk when buying an item made from cheaper materials such as plastic, instead of metals. Investing in a more robust recorder may cost more money in the short term, but it could mean you save money in the long run as you might avoid buying replacements.

If you need more control and options, many recorders have mic/line inputs and use common XLR or TRS connectors allowing you to plug any microphone or line-level device straight in. These extra inputs mean you can plug instruments or other line-level sources into the line input and record multiple tracks at the same time.

As dedicated audio tools, many handheld recorders feature a line-out to be used with a digital camera. Many cameras’ on-board mic quality is limited, and so they often feature a line-in for a dedicated shotgun mic or handheld recorder. This allows you to combine a higher quality audio recording with the video captured by your camera.

You’ll also want to find out the recorder’s phantom power capabilities. Many recorders can provide optional phantom power to their inputs which opens the possibility of connecting condenser mics (dynamic mics do not require phantom power).

Some recorders even allow you to choose between 24V or 48V phantom power, enabling you to use an even wider range of different microphones.

If you’re looking to record sessions in your DAW while on the go, then a recorder that can also function as an audio interface when connected to your computer might be for you. Some recorders even come with editing software. All you need is your recorder, computer and a connecting cable and you’ve got a portable interface ready to go!

One benefit of using your recorder as an interface is that you can mix your tracks in real time and adjust levels on the fly, absolutely anywhere. If you’re planning on using your handheld recorder as an audio interface regularly, be sure to check out whether the recorder you choose is compatible with your DAW of choice.

All handheld recorders run on battery power and use either disposable or rechargeable batteries and can offer operating times ranging from 2 hours to over 40 hours of nonstop use.

There are a few factors that will impact your battery life, such as the recorder itself, the audio quality you’re recording at, and the battery type. You might want a recorder that also offers power-saving modes, especially if you’re going to be in a remote location with no access to batteries or a plug socket for extended periods of time.

Some handheld recorders can be used with an AC adapter. This is of course very handy when recording indoors and you don’t need to be moving around. Using AC power allows you to record without worrying about battery life – one less thing to ruin your recording session.

From built-in effects to app connectivity, there are a wide and impressive variety of options available in different models. What do you need right now, what might you need in the future and what does the technology give you for the money spent?

Depending on how you like to work, you can opt for a hands-on recorder that features tactile buttons to navigate menus and controls, or you can go with a recorder that has a touchscreen for navigation. Some offer a combination.

Smartphone compatibility through dedicated apps or Bluetooth might be something that makes a big difference to you can be a huge benefit when you’re in a situation where physically handling the recorder is inconvenient or unviable. Smartphone control can make the recording experience even more remote and fine-tuned.

Some recorders are geared toward certain professions - such as journalism - and offer features such as slow-motion playback, which can be very helpful when transcribing an interview. Other recorders are targeted towards musicians and offer digital effects such as reverb, filters and even amp modelling.

Typically, you’ll find yourself recording at 44.1Khz, 24-bit however some recorders can go above this. You may want to use a higher sample rate/bit rate as you’ll be capturing far more detail. It’s worth noting that you can always downsample a recording, resulting in lower quality and a smaller file size, but you can’t upsample a recording.

It’s important to remember that higher-quality formats will take up more space than compressed MP3 files. Check out the Ultimate Guide later for more information on the different formats and the amount of storage space they will take up. You definitely don’t want to run out of memory right in the middle of a recording!

Internal storage capability is great for those making short recordings or those who regularly back up to their computers. The main advantage of using internal storage is that you don’t have to keep extra SD cards with you when you’re recording. However, if you’re using internal memory and run out of storage space, you won’t be able to keep recording until you back up your recorder and make some space.

External storage options for handheld recorders are small SD memory cards. We’ll cover the different types in more detail in the Ultimate Guide later.

The more space you have available, the more audio you can record. Make sure your storage method of choice will be capable of holding enough data for your general usage.

Since its birth in 1971, Tascam has supported the people involved in the recording and playback industry around the world. For decades now, Tascam has been one of the leading choices for musicians, engineers and broadcast professionals worldwide by combining industry leading fidelity with legendary reliability. With solutions designed for a wide array of audio applications and catering to today’ s top professionals, Tascam continues to define the sound of modern recording.

Roland's diverse product range includes electronic musical instruments such as electronic drums, digital pianos, synthesizers, and dance/DJ gear, plus a broad line-up of professional audio/visual and music production equipment. Since their founding in 1972, we have developed a steady stream of world-leading technologies and trendsetting products that have inspired creators and helped define entire musical genres.