Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is a solid little recorder and has served me well for several years now. It will hold many hours of recordings and it uses AAA batteries available anywhere. It will keep its memory for at least 5 days if the batteries are dead. You _can_ digitally record the output from the headphone jack and save the recording on your computer. It is not as easy as a USB interface but it is do-able. I am a storyteller - it was a fun hobby. This spring thanks to a great mentor/teacher, I started getting offers for paid gigs! I needed to up my game quickly! I had this recorder already and loved it - and didn't have the cash to upgrade immediately. First I downloaded the audio recording/editing computer software Audacity. Second, got a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio jack. eForCity 3.5MM JACK CAR AUDIO AUX AUXILIARY CABLE FOR iPod touch. I plugged the audio cable into "Ear" on the recorder and "Mic" on computer. I set the recorders volume to 7 or so, and I also TURNed OFF Noise Cancellation. (Hold the recorders Menu button 10 seconds then tab through the different setting - Noise Can? = No.) I started a New recording in Audacity - then I pushed Play on the recorder. I have to monitor the recording. The recorder's playback stops automatically but I have to stop Audacity's recording manually. You can use edit functions in Audacity to cut off the lead, or filter out background noise, cut bloopers, etc. Also note, in Audacity it will be a Mono recording. You can copy and paste the recording to right and left tracks to make it Stereo. Export the file when you are done as an MP3. I use it to record storytelling shows, practice and memorize new stories, send good sets to a far away friend. It is not super high quality recording but it is good enough for the spoken word. Three things about using the recorder itself... when you are recording always slide the power button down - that is your hold button. More than once I have accidentally bumped a button and turn off the recording 5 minutes into a performance! Also as soon as your recording is done, lock the file! I accidentally erased 2 months worth of performances in one fell swoop. I am not sure how I did it either. To lock a file, hold the menu button for ten seconds. Then tab through the selections until you get to Lock. Change it to Lock=Yes, then tab some more and press Stop. When a file is locked it has a tiny padlock above it. Do it so you won't regret it. Last I keep the Mic setting on Low all the time (again, hold Menu button 10 sec...). On High Mic I get a lot of background noise, and a Lo mic will easily record people talking to me, an emcee introducing me with a PA system, audience applause, amplified lectures, etc. If in doubt (like in a group discussion around a big table) check the recording quality at your earliest convenience. Good luck and happy recording.