Digital audio recorders are more of an initial expense, but they do not require tapes, and so they save money in the long run. Also, many digital recorders can record for extraordinary lengths of time. Analog recorders require tapes and fresh tapes must be used each time the equipment is used. Reusing tapes can contaminate recording. Regardless of whether you use analog or digital recorders, using an external microphone is recommended as it eliminates the recording of sounds caused by the internal machinery of the audio device.
We chose to use an Olympus VN-2100 digital voice recorder with a PC USB link. It can record up to 36 hours in LP mode and has three folders for file management. With this, we are using a Sony omni- directional microphone (model ECM-F8). The microphone has a frequency response of 50 to 12,000 Hz and will record for up to 100 hours when used with Sony lithium batteries (CR2025). It has a cord length of 3.3 feet and the device itself is only 2” wide and ¾” deep.
