Need a device to record voice (lectures). Please advice.

K

kudilkrishna

Disciple
MOST crucial decision - please please help me...!

please please read the whole post....please have patience....

WHAT I WANT:

To be able to record lectures delivered by my professor so that I can later on listen it while commuting and also make notes. ( My professor talks in low voice )

WHY I WANT:

Because our professor delivers lecture at a very very rapid pace and although it is great listening him and understanding his concepts...its so so fast that its impossible to write or make note of anything...

This creates problem because although I am able to understand everything while he teaches BUT later on I forget everything as I am unable to make any notes.

The net result is I am where I was when the classes started.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS:

After doing a very thorough and deep analysis on net and gathering as much information as was possible for me...I concluded that I am having the following options:

A. To record the lectures using Apple iPod along with either griffin italk or belkin voice recorder.

OR

B. To record the lectures using Nokia mobile handset using its inbuilt microphone (or attaching some external microphone)

OR

C. To record the lectures using dedicated digital voice recorders such as Olympus etc.

OR

D. To record the lectures using a laptop which is having inbuilt microphone or attaching the laptop with external microphone.

OR

E. To record the lectures using flash based MP3 player like those of transcend etc.

OR

F. To use dictaphone

WHY I AM CONFUSED:

Because

1. I do not own personally any of the devices in all options referred above and therefore unable to make a choice which one suits my needs best

AND

2. Dont know which one would be MOST suitable for purpose of recording class lectures from a reasonable distance (say 5-10 feets away) for 1 hours lectures.

AND

3. Dont know which device would be MOST reliable and durable

AND

4. Dont know which one provides Best Value for Money as there are extra benefits associated with each device and extra costs too.

EXAMPLE:

I have heard that

# Griffin italk or Belkin Voice recorder at times may NOT record properly always (I have just heard NOT at all sure)

# Again Apple Ipod which allows extra voice recording functionality is NOT mini or shuffle so Again I dont know whether its better to have Nokia Mobile which has so many extra features as well and would cost less than Apple ipod.

# Again if Nokia Mobile is to be purchased which particular model suits my needs best.

# Or is it that dedicated digital voice recorders are best as they have one single function of digital voice recording.

And so on........................

BOTTOM LINE:

There are so so many variables involved that I am really unable to decide. This is further complicated by the fact that I have never used such gadgets and NOt sure.

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..........................!
My budget is very very flexible (which means that I am ready to spend upto Indian Rs 30000 or 600 USD )

The single most imporatnt reason I am intending to buy such a gadget is to record the class lectures daily which are normally of 1 hours duration and the professor and my sitting distance varies from 1 feet to 10 feets.

If i get extra features Its welcome BUT this digital voice recording feature is something which I do NOT want to be compromised.

Please suggest me out of A, B, C, D OR E what should be my ideal choice and what costs i would incur. If possible please specify the exact product number or detail or specification.

I Know I have written a very very long story and it must have tested your patience and consumed a lot of your valuable time. I genuinely and most sincerely appreciate your time and effort with me from the bottom of my heart and trust me I am really in serious trouble or else would NOT have written such a long story.

I am very anxiously awaiting the words of wisdom and valuable advice from more knowledgebale and experienced (and most importantly helpful) members here.

I am sure that someone here will be able to help me out with his advice and suggestions.

Again I express my deepest sincerest appreciation and gratitude for reading this post and possibly replying.

Please reply in detail and advice to your best as your decision may be very very crucial and infact the whole basis on which I am going to make the purchase. So please be concerned and kind.

Thanks and best of regards
Krishna
 
A couple of things.

1) A digital voice record is your best bet. Good ones are in the $50 - $100 region. I remember one of my friends doing this in college. He had a Sony branded one, and older model of this one I believe. Amazon.com: Sony ICD-PX312 Digital Flash Voice Recorder: Electronics

2) Check with the professor if he is OK with you recording the lecture. Explain to him that you want it for your use only and will delete all copies of it after the semester/year. (We had one professor who was annoyed and worried that my friend was going to record his lecture and put it up online or sell it.)
 
Or if you have a spare WM phone lying around with a good mic, you could try and use that first with required app from *ahem* sources. Just ensure that you record at highest MP3 quality possible.
 
You might need Sound Forge Pro to edit your recorded lectures.

These software helps you to remove extra noise,hiss and other disturbance and gives you crystal clear output.

(I remember doing this in my collage days)
 
Thats a good budget :p

Grab a zoom h1. It will work. Phone and ipod wont give you that quality even though ipod can do pretty good.

If you Want a overkill, Grab a sony pcm-50. I used it to record foley and still use it when my recording rig isnt with me. the quality is really superb. But you really dnt need it for the lectures.

For the record, i have tested all in my med-school lectures too.
 
Amazon.com: Sony TCM150 Standard Cassette Voice Recorder: MP3 Players & Accessories

I used this device in college for the exact same purpose as you.But i also used it to record discussions and once also to record a business deal (james bond style) .The mic on this thing is amazing.these kind of sony cassette recorders were used by journalists to record interviews in those days.This is still a very solid option and a very cost effective one.I think you will have to use Audacity to record from cassette player to your pc.good quality cassette tapes are still available.you just need to buy 2-3 120 min tapes.

This has become cheaper now.I bought it for 3500 Rs.

You will be able to purchase it in india ,I am sure.try it out ,if it suits your purpose-use it! I would have gifted you mine but my cousin just took mine a month ago.sweet memories of crazy recordings.

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here i just found this listing! no harm in trying it out .it might save you money if it serves your purpose!!!!!!

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

sorry it is out of stock.

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--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

I think i got carried away in my nostalgia! Sony has many different digital recorders too starting from 100$ .What i wanted to stress was the mic quality and range,i am sure they have similar or better mic than the cassette recorder.the sx series should serve your purpose of recording adequately.

What you are going for is probably overkill but if you just have to have it, accessories and all and are willing to pay the premium to indulge yourself there is no alternative to that.

Just saying that for the purpose of recording lectures,a humble sansa clip clipped to your professors shirt will do the trick too! ( it is what i use to take notes myself now).
 
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