You want to start doing interviews, but you’re not sure what’s the best voice recorder for interviews out there in the market. Or maybe you want to improve your interview technique. Whatever it is, there are a lot of points that you need to take into consideration before buying voice recorder for interviews. After reading this guide on best voice recorder for interviews and audio recording devices, you’ll know what to do next.
The audio recorder is an essential tool for anyone doing interviews. You’ll see in this article why you need the best voice recorder for interviews and the best audio recorders for interviews. It can’t be just any old recorder or someone may manipulate your answers. Using a good voice recorder or audio recorder for interviews can make your workflow faster, more efficient and save you a lot of time overall.
Voice recorders are a great way to record interviews, meetings and speeches so that you can listen to them again later. This also makes it easier to keep notes during the meeting. Here we have three voice recorders that have been selected as good choices for recording interviews and speeches.
These days, people are recording everything they do — so it is not surprising that people want to record their interviews as well. Check out our list of the best voice recorders for interviews and you’ll be able to choose the right recorder for your next interview. (And if you need help with interviewing, look no further than our guide to great interview questions.)
What Are the Best Voice Recorders?
There are a few basic functions you’ll want from a good voice recorder, including superior audio quality, a size that is convenient to carry, plenty of storage space, and the ability to easily share and edit files. Here’s what else to look for:
Convenience: Recording devices can be impressively small without sacrificing functionality or sound quality, which is an important feature. We like a device small enough to be tucked into a pocket without awkwardness, or with a lanyard attachment. We also look for devices that are intuitive and easy to use. Some can be awkward to figure out, especially when looking for additional features.
Storage Space: A good voice recorder will have a large memory capacity so you can continue recording for long periods of time without needing to delete files.
Sharing Files: In addition to large storage space, we look for devices with easy file-sharing capabilities so you’re never struggling to transfer a recording to your computer. In most cases, the simplest way to do this is with a usb plug-in. These can be tricky depending on your computer software, however, which don’t always recognize the folder right away.
Editing and Playback Features: You’ll want to be able to easily playback and edit your recordings. Ideally, recorders will have functions to adjust speed, which is particularly helpful any time you’re doing transcriptions. You should also be able to skip ahead or skip backwards in small increments in case you need to repeat a section or find a particular moment.
Audio Quality: Excellent audio quality is a must. We like recorders that automatically filter out ambient or peripheral noises to enhance the sound of the voice you’re recording. We also look for recorders sensitive enough to pick up sound from a wide range, and which can be heard clearly via speakers or headphones.
1. EVISTR Digital Voice Recorder
This voice recorder may look basic but it’s anything but. Its small size fits neatly in a pocket and its intuitive design makes it easy to use right out of the box.
It’s also packed with helpful features, like a voice-activated mode, so it will start up automatically when your lecturer begins speaking, for example. Sound quality is exceptionally clear with a wide range, filtering out ambient noise.
It is also rechargeable via USB, which is handy, and also makes it easy to download audio files to your Mac, PC, or phone. For listening on the device itself, it has a built-in speaker as well as an earphone jack. Just don’t forget to press stop while recording or it will not save.
Amazon Buy: EVISTR Digital Voice Recorder at $39.99
2. Sony Mono Digital Voice Recorder
This recorder includes many of the features we like about the device above, including auto voice recording, which captures vocal frequencies and reduces background noise. You can also optimize the audio with the device’s four preset scenes: music, meeting, interview, or dictation.
This recorder also includes a USB connection which allows you to plug the device directly into your computer to download files. It records in MP3 audio; these files are compressed and require less memory, making them better for recording long lectures or meetings.
In fact this recorder’s biggest claim to fame is its large memory and super-powered battery life. Its 4 GB of memory records up to 57 hours of audio, but this can be expanded by adding a micro SD card for an additional 32 GB2 of memory.
Amazon Buy: Sony Mono Digital Voice Recorder at $45.55
3. Olympus Voice Recorder
This Olympus voice recorder is a must-have in our reporting kit, thanks to its high-quality MP3 recording, 8GB of internal memory and ability to transfer files to a micro SD card or to your device via USB.
Olympus introduces a ton of technical features that help it stand out too, including an “Intelligent Auto Mode” function that automatically adjusts microphone pickup and sensitivity based on how loud someone is speaking. Noise-cancellation technology helps to filter out ambient noise — say, traffic or an air conditioner — so you can clearer playback.
Playback controls let you slow down or speed up your recordings for easier transcribing.
Olympus’ “True Stereo Mic” uses two microphones positioned at a 90 degree angle to deliver an authentic stereo experience. The mics automatically monitor the distance between the person speaking and the recorder, to make the recording feel more accurate.
Amazon Buy: Olympus Voice Recorder at $86.38
4. Digital Voice Activated Recorder
We really like the range of this voice recorder, which captures sound from 60 feet away, making it perfect for places like large lecture halls. We also like the robust 16GB of memory, which allows for up to 1160 hours of recordings.
Like other picks, this recorder has a voice-activation function, as well as power-on password protection which is useful for any sensitive recordings.
If you do a lot of transcribing, this is a particularly useful device, as it includes 16 levels to adjust play speed and functions to jump quickly to a particular point you’d like to replay. So if you’re trying to type up a lecture or interview with a particularly fast-talker, you can slow down the voice speed and save yourself the trouble of rewinding the same 15 seconds over and over.
Wide pick-up range and good audio quality. The ability to slow down audio makes it great for transcribing interviews or taking notes.
Amazon Buy: Digital Voice Activated Recorder at $39.87
5. Digital Voice Recorder 16GB SuperEye
This is a multi-functional voice recorder with auto record and A-B repeat, which allows you to flag a particular section and easily jump back and forth. You can easily download recordings onto your computer via USB, but this device also allows for downloading MP3s from your computer and onto the recorder itself.
It allows up to 72 hours of WAV recording, or 1,000 hours of MP3, which is more than enough for most purposes. It has a noise-reduction chip to enhance human voice recording and most people agree that the sound quality produced is excellent.
The best part: this voice recorder doubles as a music player, with the ability to play MP3 files through the built-in speakers or by plugging in a pair of headphones. That said, audio heard through earphones is much superior to the sound produced by the built-in speaker.
Like the other recorders, it is small enough to fit in a pocket, but this one also comes with a protective carrying case which we think is a nice touch.
Amazon Buy: Digital Voice Recorder 16GB SuperEye at
7. Sony ICD-UX570 Digital Voice Recorder
Sony
Why it made the cut: Expandable storage and quick-charging features make this pocket-sized recorder a good option for frequent use on short notice.
Specs:
- Memory: Up to 64 GB
- Weight: 1.76 ounces
- Recording Format: WAV, MP3, WMA, M4A
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Built-in USB connector; no cable required | User interface has learning curve |
| MicroSD slot for expandability, plus 4 gigabytes of built-in memory | Non-dimmable display |
| One hour of operation from three minutes of charging | |
| Quick-search playback function |
This compact voice recorder from Sony features automatic file organization and a handy selection of onboard controls. The design makes it the best voice recorder for interviews. Key among its front-panel buttons are two playback navigation buttons. One fast-forwards ten seconds, and the other rewinds three seconds. This functionality combined with the unit’s automatic file labeling system allows users to review recordings quickly and efficiently, making this a good tool for transcribing interviews and other spoken-word recordings.
Other standout features of this design include a headphone jack for playback and 27-hour battery life. The external microphone input appeals to users who want more control over their recordings. When using the unit’s onboard stereo microphones, users have the option to toggle between normal stereo, wide-field, and focused recording modes. When it’s time to transfer files to the computer, this voice recorder has its own USB connector that pops out and retracts with a simple switch.
In giving this voice recorder a streamlined design and minimalist control panel, Sony has made some compromises when it comes to user-friendliness. Navigating the menu system requires a variety of button presses and toggles via the front-panel arrow keys. Complex features such as file and folder management and pitch control, for example, are accessible through the device’s controls, but require a bit of tinkering around to learn. Additionally, the bright and easy-to-read screen on this device can’t be turned off or dimmed, making it potentially disruptive when recording in dark environments.
8. Zoom H1n Portable Recorder
Zoom
Why it made the cut: The H1n is a rugged portable recorder built by an industry-leading audio company that features easy controls and 90-degree stereo recording.
Specs:
- Memory: Up to 32 GB
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
- Recording Format: WAV, MP3
| Pros: | Cons: |
| High SPL limit for recording loud sources like concerts | Requires AAA batteries |
| Built-in microphone cage | Plastic construction can be noisy when handling |
| Wide 90-degree stereo recording | |
| Records to SD card for flexibility |
Zoom portable recorders are well-known in the audio and video production industry as a great option for capturing audio on-site at events due to their relatively high durability and sound quality. The H1n aims to pack this reputation into a compact and affordable digital recorder that can be used for a wide variety of purposes from concerts and musical sampling to interview and lecture recording. Because it has a high volume limit and records in resolutions of up to 24-bit/96 kHz, this is the best digital voice recorder to consider if sound quality is your primary concern.
Design-wise, the H1n has a relatively streamlined user interface and a monochrome display that are controllable via a series of buttons on the front panel. It has one-touch recording and automatic distortion prevention, which are key features that help this recorder excel in settings where setup time is limited or non-existent.
Its array of two condenser microphones record in a fixed X/Y stereo configuration, allowing users to pick up a wide field of audio without any adjustment required, and these microphones are protected within a cage that’s integrated into the body of the recorder.
The H1n’s plastic construction allows it to be portable and lightweight. Ideally, the H1n should be mounted on a stand using its built-in threaded mount, but if you need to operate it in handheld mode, consider wrapping the body in a microfiber cloth or other type of dampening material. The H1n also operates using traditional AAA batteries, which can feel slightly inconvenient and antiquated in terms of portability, but it does prevent the need to stop and charge up when the battery runs out. That’s another reason pros like it.
How we picked the best voice recorders
Since they’re often used for capturing live discussions, interviews, and lectures in critical scenarios with the intent to review and playback, we selected the best voice recorders that have a quick startup time and an easy-to-use interface.
Most of our picks have the ability to record with the single press of a button, which ensures that you don’t miss out on any details when capturing audio. We also aimed to include voice recorders that are small and portable, which is an important design consideration that helps users travel light and draws less attention to the fact that they’re recording in the first place.
The most compact picks on our list tend to record lower-quality files, while those that are relatively bulkier have the ability to record high-fidelity audio. In making sure the entire spectrum of audio quality is represented, this list is able to accommodate everything from the most casual recording applications to critical production situations.
Conclusion
You are going to perform interviews in order to gather information. And you will want to record those interviews to be reviewed later. Here, you would want the best voice recorder for recording interviews so that you can play them back later and make notes. Since there are so many options out there, it is essential that you make the right decision while buying a voice recorder. Voice recorders these days have multiple features and here, this article will help you pick the best one for your needs.
Phrasing plays an important role in any type of writing activity. In order to make your written document successful, you should choose the right words and phrase them accurately according to the given situation. Voice recorders for interviews