Expert little recorder satisfies an old pro
Written: Dec 14 '01 (Updated Mar 03 '02)
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Pros: Interface, layout, buttons, construction, size-weight ideal, LCD, HQ mode, simple edit-move features
Cons: No memory card, backlight, cover, lanyard (strap) missing.
The Bottom Line: Small voice recorders are great instant note devices. All other purposes aside, that is reason enough to have one, and this is one of the best.
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| xgenei's Full Review: Panasonic RR-QR240 (32 MB, 4 Hours) Handheld Digit... |
My first pro voice-recorder was a very expensive little jewel my brother gave me when I was five. It was totally non-op, but I played with it endlessly. I've been through a number of them -- the most expensive (a 1981 Pearlcorder) broke in short order. Most I just outgrew, and I haven't used one for years because of the linear tape problems -- you end up collecting tapes and everything gets buried. I haven't tried tapeless because they hadn't really been competitive for voice quality and length.
Well given a "critical mass," like this little guy's got, it works fabulously. It's like a tiny, more flexible, version of a multi-track recorder. For example lets say in an inspired moment in the dark you dictate 18 sound notes on an earlier topic that you have in a different folder. The next day you can trim awkward pauses and collect the new notes, in any order, very quickly into linear series with the first. And you do this with one-hand.
That said other features may (i stress may) be missed like copy and linear play (like a tape). And of course it would be nice to have a memory card to get these files into a computer faster than using the earphone out to re-record them.
Of course I'll be upgrading when it gets a memory card (and I hope it retains some built-in memory) -- but I wouldn't want to sacrifice the overall ease of use and form. And yes, the HQ voice quality is much clearer and QUIET. It records at a higher frequency 16khz versus 11khz) compared to Sonys and even the newer Olympus DM-1, and it shows. The mic is very good, and of course the speaker works well enough. There is an RR-QR400 with twice the memory.
I leave playback on fast 20% (chipmunk)-- and record on SP. Of course all this is in the menu, which works well, with two exceptions: 1) the date-time setting cycles every time you go through it, and 2) when you do change something, it dumps you back to the beginning.
OTHER FEATURES: TIMER RECORD like a VCR -- yowsa! -- FAST REVIEW (first 5 sec of every file in a folder) -- works great, but starts with file 1 every time.
Last night I slept with it in my hand and it didn't fall out (right where I want it). That said I would like a lanyard -- and it has a (proprietary) attachment for it -- but I couldn't find one listed as an accessory on the website.
I got one refurbished and it came bare naked with a COPY of the instruction manual, plastic wrapped to a piece of cardboard. (Of course the shipper properly boxed that.) Note I haven't had it long enough to judge the battery life.
Got to get on with it -- Genei.
UPDATE 20020303
It's three months later. Getting those handy sound bytes into a computer has proven difficult but not insurmountable. However it is a lot easier to think "USB" than "capture." The Panasonic RR-XR320 @$234 (source: http://www.wackodeals.com/panrrporsdic.html) is definitely on my shopping list. Even though I have just shelled out $329 for a new Archos recorder. I will dump the QR240 into the archos in the meantime -- which may be a long time given my priorities.
I'm still on the original set of batteries -- the meter shows 3/4 full -- after working with two hours worth of soundbytes. Because of the transfers, condensing, recording, erasing, and playing back -- that's probably about 10 hours of "moving" use. The fact that the thing has been "on" all this time is a delight. Lucky it's got a "lock" switch. Be sure that's on before you put it in a pocket.
Sound quality has proven good enough for many voice applications short of music production. The basic audio signal is strong enough and clean enough after a slight EQ adjustment downstream for FM radio programming as "live" or "location" sound. It just sounds great. Cassette tape sounds "bigger" out of the box, but the noise level is much harder to clean up than to bass boost & mid-high tweak an already clean signal. No digital artifacts at all in HQ.
One other thing -- I now double check my pockets before putting anything in the wash. Yes it's true -- the unit went in. Fortunately in the drier and not the washer. Anyway it went round and round on permanent press and came out ten minutes later. Everything snapped back in and the menu came up and I had to reset the date and stuff -- but my files were intact. I noticed one minuscule dent in the all-metal case -- not even a scratch to the window. No I will not do the WATER test. Well, maybe with YOUR recorder.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 61
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Epinions.com ID:
xgenei
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Location: Santa Barbara, CA USA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Prophet (oracle) reaching a notch to be a teacher.
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