From cameras to cell phones to iPods, the convenience of compact digital technologies has had a significant impact on the way we live. Cool new product categories are invented constantly, and one of the hottest new trends in electronics is the compact digital audio recorder. While miniature recorders (both tape-based and digital) have been around for some time, the recent emphasis is on capturing sound with extremely high resolution. In fact, many of today’s compact recorders offer better fidelity than the stereo mixdown decks used by recording studios not so far in the past. And thanks to the low cost of large-capacity flash memory cards, it’s now possible to record many continuous hours of stereo audio with superb quality, all with an affordable device that fits in your pocket.

A compact recorder like the Edirol R-09HR has a wide range of uses in the church and in church-related activities. Podcasting has become an extremely effective way to spread faith-based messages, and a digital recorder like the R-09HR can record either 24-bit .WAV files or more portable MP3 files. This makes it easy to capture sermons, music, and full services so they can be made available on the web for the local community and beyond.

Recording band or choir rehearsals is another great application, allowing you to capture musical arrangements that can be easily distributed to the various musicians contributing to Sunday services. Additionally, the portable nature of the R-09HR makes it simple to capture meetings, outdoor church activities, or events outside the church such as praise and worship workshops and worship leader conferences.

Variations on a Theme
While most handhelds only record and play back stereo audio, some also function as four-track recorders, allowing you to capture one or two tracks at once and play back up to four tracks simultaneously. This lets you use the recorder as an audio production tool, overdubbing audio such as a vocal over previously recorded tracks. Some models—such as the MICRO BR made by BOSS—even offer up to 32 “virtual tracks,” which let you record multiple takes within an individual track. It also has built-in drum machine and a bevy of effects for guitar, bass, and vocals.

Another option to consider is a portable CD recorder like the Roland CD-2e. While not pocket size, the CD-2e is an excellent option when instant CD burning capability is desired. CD recorders also play back CDs, and often have features such as built-in speakers and practice aids such as a metronome and tuner. The CD-2e will let you transpose and change the tempo of any CD, and you can even remove the vocals with its ‘center-cancel’ function so you can record your own vocals over music from your favorite CDs.

In Conclusion
Today’s crop of compact digital audio recorders offer amazing sound quality and ease of use. Their small size truly make them take-anywhere devices, and most can be found at extremely affordable prices. Not long ago, achieving such excellent recording quality required far larger and more expensive units. And while laptop computers can be equipped for high-res recording, they have many disadvantages, such as a larger footprint, complicated set up, and vulnerability to damage. Once you discover the convenience a compact recorder can bring, you may just find that it becomes one of the most used electronic tools in your church.

Jim Bybee is a technical writer for Roland Corporation U.S., and a freelance guitarist and audio engineer. For information on the portable recording products offered by Roland, Edirol, and BOSS, visit www.rolandus.com.