Machinery

How to choose a voice recorder for hidden voice recording from your pocket and other purposes

March 16, 2020

Without belittling the merits of modern multifunctional gadgets, it is worth noting, that with a specific task highly specialized devices still cope better. Example, such a technique is a dictaphone. The device is simply necessary when attending lectures, seminars and interviews, to record creative ideas and observations. It will be useful when holding meetings and plans, to learn languages, when it is impossible to write everything down and remember the necessary moments. Another area of ​​application is the control of communication between employees and customers. To choose the right voice recorder, first of all it is necessary to be defined with the purposes of its use.

Features of the device

The recorder is a small device, which is intended for recording and subsequent listening to the voice. The technique was developed in the twenties of last century, but then these devices were very large and inconvenient. The devices could hold no more than an hour of continuous conversation.

Progress is not standing still - media have changed, and a dictaphone with them. The device began to have numerous functions, and the convenience of the interface can not be mentioned - today you can choose the best size and appearance option.

types of dictaphones

The technique is presented ??in two types - analog and digital versions.

  1. In the first case, the recording is on tape and magnetic tape. This type is divided into cassette and microcassette devices. From the name it is clear, that the size of such a device is affected by the dimensions of the media.
  2. In the second, the material is written to an internal or external drive. Here the imagination of the manufacturer is not limited: some of the devices are able to fit in the body of the ballpoint pen and weigh everything 50 grams.

Despite the obvious advantage of the digital version, analog devices are still in demand: example, as a sound proof it is better to give this kind. You can choose a device with good recording quality at a price of about 1 000 rubles. If necessary, the tape can be rewritten. However, you should immediately prepare for such disadvantages:

  • characteristic noise from the device;
  • media search (rare today micro- and conventional cassettes);
  • limited battery life.

If you need versatility and purity of sound, it is better to "fork out" at once on digital model. The main difference of such a device is the work with a non-volatile storage device - a memory chip. The invention of such devices has increased the operating time, save on power supply. Technology is ready to impress its owner and other interesting "talents".

Current specifications for digital voice recorder

The following indicators are important criteria for the operation of such a device:

  • sensitivity;
  • work time;
  • the format of the recording.

Each of them deserves a more detailed analysis.

Why dictaphone sensitivity

It depends on this parameter, from what distance the user will record the voice (example, it is unlikely that the lecturer will be able to keep a dictaphone). Usually this figure is indicated in meters - they are what you should pay attention to.

The maximum frequency for recording any sound is reached 44 000 Hz, however, such figures are only required for professional recording of musical compositions. In the case of human language, and will suffice 4000 Hz, the minimum frequency in this composition 100 Hz, at a lower range it will be difficult to decipher the record itself.

To date, there are models, which allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone depending on the conditions, example, remoteness of the object. If the presence of noise is not so critical, then bitrate (number of bits, used to store one second of multimedia content) can be reduced. Dictaphones are more expensive than noise protection, and in cheap versions, in addition to the sound of the voice, you can also "enjoy" background noise, up to friction on the body, when the dictaphone recording is made out of pocket.

What to do, if quality is listened to is very important, and the work must be done at a distance? When buying a device for hidden recording (example, for mystery shopper research) the best advice would be to do a trial run and listen, how it meets the needs of the user.

Devices are on the market today, able to pick up sound from 12 meters. Some decide to use them (especially in the case of real miniature dictaphone) to listen to other people. The law allows this to be done only by special services - this fact should be borne in mind.

Mini voice recorder "Edic-mini Tiny + B76-150HQ»

Such kids can be a real find for a student as miniature audio cribs, but in this case requires appropriate microdynamics.

recording time

Actually, him, of course, can hardly be called infinite. The type of media plays a crucial role, which can be both built-in, and be a removable media:

  • flash cards have capacity limitations;
  • in the case of smart cards, the limitation is in their type.

Do not panic in advance: recording will take many hours and will be limited, in the first place, power sources. And portable memory cards will significantly extend the life of the device.

Voice recorder with memory card slot

The amount of media is measured in megabytes and gigabytes in the ratio "the more - the better". However, the crucial point here is the format of the record. It is necessary to understand, that manufacturers always specify the lower bitrate threshold in recording modes - this means, that promised 128 hours of continuous operation will take place in the mode 8 kbit / With, which is more like a walkie-talkie.

And the actual operating time of the device itself will depend directly on the capacity of its battery, as well as from power consumption. This value is prescribed in the data sheet: example, at power consumption 0,2 W and the specified battery capacity 1200 mA / h dictaphone in reality will work 6 hours.

One good recommendation for users is to use flash memory at the same time, and in addition to the SD card.

Usually enough for standard work 2-4 GB. However, if you plan to recycle large amounts of memory, then the storage capacity must be at least 16 GB.

Such an important format

The dictaphone device is able to record sound in a variety of formats. The most common of these are the following.

  1. MP3 is great for both memory, and in relation to the quality of work performed. This format is readable by every player - so, there will be no problems with playback either. However, according to experts, this format is not able to convey all the nuances of sound, although, on the other hand, the ordinary human ear does not need such super-quality.
  2. The WMA format was once released by Microsoft. The sound quality in it is much higher than the previous version, however, you will also need more memory in this case.
  3. DSS is a modern format, which combines high quality and compression level. It is considered ideal for interviewing. But you should immediately prepare for it, that not every player will be able to read this format, a, means, will have to or install additional software, or resort to conversion.
  4. When working with PCM, excellent quality without compression is available.

Prospective users should be encouraged: most often in the presence of DSS formats, The ACT and PCM manufacturer also provides the necessary software.

Additional features

One of the interesting features of the device is voice activation. This allows the recorder to automatically stop recording when there is silence and turn it on, when the conversation resumed. However, we must prepare for that, that activation will not be activated immediately, and in a few seconds: this can lead to the loss of the first words. Usually in devices with such capabilities there is an adjustment of the activation threshold: the user sets a certain noise value, which voice recorder will recognize, like silence (you can set a threshold from real silence to street noise).

Useful modes

Among them are special, like "street", "interview", noise reduction. They are used to record voice in noisy and crowded places. The principle of operation is as follows: when you turn on such modes (and each manufacturer has their own name) everything is cut off, that does not resemble a voice. Of course, this affects the end result, who is getting a little "poorer", but everything disappears, which interferes with quality reproduction.

The presence of an external microphone

This feature is useful, if the recorder is far from the source being recorded. It is very important to know the direction of recording, then its quality will exceed the best expectations.

In the presence of an external microphone, it will be enough to connect it to the device, put the dictaphone in your pocket, put on a buttonhole and write yourself down. It will also free your hands for more important actions.

Automatic signal gain control

An AGC was created for this purpose, which independently adjust the microphone to the output signal. It works that way: in loud voices the sound is slightly muffled, and if a person begins to speak softly, the level of perception rises. This feature is useful, example, at press conferences, when several sources speak, and each is differently spaced from the dictaphone standing on the table.

Frequency range adjustment

Conventional voice recorders support the frequency range from 300 to 3000 Hertz. To record a simple language this is more than enough. Another thing, that there are devices, designed to record music. It not only expands the range to actual values, but also use special remote external microphones.

Mono or stereo

The possibility of stereo recording is useful in this case, when the dispute was recorded. But in this case, you should prepare for such conditions:

  • the need to connect an external microphone;
  • reduce disk space.

Other interesting features

The recorder may have one or more of the following options.

  1. Built-in tuner for listening to the radio. Very useful in those cases, when you need to record from the radio.
  2. Accelerating the listening mode will allow you to find the right place on the recording. In fact, it's just speeding up rewinding, which allows you to listen to the recording in fast mode (some models will not even change the tone of voice in this case).
  3. To record telephone conversations, you will need a special adapter, which connects to a landline phone.
  4. User reviews praise the models with a user-friendly interface, especially for organizing folders. This will allow you to do non-chaotic, and purposeful recordings of each meeting or lecture. This also includes ease of management.
  5. Sometimes restrictions on recording can come in handy - this feature will make records more concise.
  6. USB port makes it much easier to work with your computer or laptop, saving time transferring the necessary files from the portable device.