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The Kitchen Table

Do you have a digital voice recorder that's easy to use?

7 years ago

We're attending a party for my brother-in-law's 75th birthday and I've decided to give him a recorder and a book as to how to go about recording family history. (Hes' full of great stories and likes to relate them.) I know it would be best to have someone interview him from time to time and I'm hoping one of his kids might do so. (We live in another state.) Anyway, my head is spinning, reading all the reviews. Most of all, it needs to be easy to use. Any suggestions?

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Comments (7)

Jane
7 years ago
Have you considered an app on the ipad?
sjerin
Original Author
7 years ago
Well, I wanted a separate device that was only for this purpose. Are these passe now?
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There's software that will let you clean it up, but personally, I think it adds to it. It's not a "professional production" and I wouldn't give it any thought unless you want to record it again. If you do, try to set the recorder down or use a handheld microphone. Better yet, a lapel microphone will do nicely. Only a few dollars to buy one. If you have a mic/headset you can record it on your computer too however my experience with them is you can often record the breathing so it could have its own issues. I wanted to get my dad to record his war stories. Had I owned a microcassette at the time I would have recorded them when he started talking about them. My sister went through some old cassettes I had given her a long time ago and found a recording of my mother. She was quite surprised, as was I. Didn't remember having a recording of her.
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PRO
MDLN
7 years ago
I use this Sony and like it for recording lectures. Easy to transfer recording from device to computer.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/wirecutter/2015/08/03/the-best-voice-recorder-you-can-buy/#65b7e77245ee

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/925994-REG/sony_icdux533blk_icdux533_digital_flash_voice.html
sjerin
Original Author
7 years ago
How funny, mdln, that's one of the two I'm considering. Do you think a tech-wary 75-year-old can figure it out?
PRO
MDLN
7 years ago
LOL, am not 75 but wanted an even more simple one for myself. Following is one I considered, but it was not in stock when I needed it.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/audio/digital-recorders/dp-311.html
sjerin
Original Author
7 years ago
That does look good--I'll look for it. Thanks for passing on the info!
cynic
7 years ago
Passe, maybe, still worthwhile. Dang right, for me anyway. I use them all the time. One is carried on me most all the time. If I don't make a note of things, I tend to forget. Plus it's handy for price comparisons, remembering in what lot you're car is parked and much more.

The Sony is a nice unit but the buttons are small. If that's an issue, the Olympus one linked is much better. Buttons are big and easy to figure out as far as basic record/play functions. I have 2 old Sonys that are quite basic by todays standards but they're so user-friendly, they are advantageous. But they're no longer made. I have a newer Sony that is similar to one linked and I have an Olympus that is very similar to the Sony linked. I don't like that Olympus. I also have an Olympus very similar to the one linked and I like it but it's not used too much. Why do I have so many? I had one I would carry on me for work, I'd leave one in the vehicle and left one next to my chair. Got one for free that I couldn't turn down and I bought one for a gift and it was already one received so I decided to keep it since the old ones were starting to show their wear.

Much of your challenge will be whether he's willing to do it and if he is excited about doing it, there won't be much of an issue getting him to use the recorder as long as you have one that's pretty self explanatory.

I wanted to do a similar thing when my Dad was alive. Didn't happen. Good luck getting it going.

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