Features: First ever portable MP3 recorder.

• Records at 128kbps/44.1kHz from LINE input, 16kbps/16kHz from built-in microphone.
• Remote control.
• Stores audio on MultiMediaCard (currently max 128MB ca. 2003)
• Dual MMC card slots (max 256MB capacity)
• Repeat: track, one program, all programs, random programs.
• LCD on unit displays file name, playback time, recording time.
• 4-step battery life indicator
• 3 mode music genre setting (jazz/rock/classic)
• Transfer software compatability: Windows-only

Links:

• Aiwa page

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output, SNR: > 85dB

Reviews:

Description (3rd Generation model):

• Employs Wolfson WM8731 audio codec (ADC and DAC functions, with mic and line level inputs).
• Available in 10, 15 and 30GB models
• 15-30GB models come with docking stand
• 2" 160x128 pixel backlit grayscale LED panel (0.24mm dot pitch)
• Output formats: AAC (16-320kbps), MP3 (32-320kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, WAV
• Recording mode discovered by hackers (see link below). Currently available only in test mode, and only capable of recording a few seconds of audio, the feature is sure to be made available as a normal function in future firmware releases from Apple. A line-input cable (coupling through the docking connector) is rumored to become available. Currently recordings can only be made through the headphone jack.

  Apple's feature list:

• Customize main menu
• Create On-The-Go playlists
• Rate songs
• Shuffle songs or albums
• Repeat one or all
• Sound Check on or off
• 20 Equalizer settings
• Backlight timer
• Display contrast
• Alarms on, off or silent
• Sleep timer
• Date and time
• Display time in menu bar
• Contacts sort and display by first or last names
• Clicker on or off
• Languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese

Included Accessories: Earbuds, AC adapter, 4-to-6 pin Firewire adapter, dock connector to Firewire cable. 15GB and 30GB models: Docking stand.

Links:

• Apple Page
• iPoding report of iPod recording capability.

Specifications: headphone amp: 30mW+30mW rms

Reviews:

Features:

• Unit plays and records MP3 audio files
• MP3 playback from 30-320kbps VBR
• MP3 recording selectable from 30-160Kbps.
• Records from LINE, built-in microphone, or built-in FM radio.
• 30 second "Retro" (time-machine) recording, starts recording 30 seconds before button press.
• FM tuner (88-108MHz, scan function, 30 preset stations).
• Internal 128MB flash memory (also accepts Multimedia Cards [current (ca. 2003) max MMC capacity: 128MB], but when MMC card is inserted, unit ignores internal 128MB memory).
• USB 1.1 interface.
• 112 x 64 pixel LCD panel (up to 8 lines of characters).
• Unit functions as a mountable volume -- MP3 files can be freely dragged and dropped between the desktop and the device. (Windows/MacOS compatible).
• Firmware updates downloadable from manufacturer's site.
• Manual recording level control (LINE/MIC inputs) with L/R level meters.
• Play modes: Normal, single, repeat all, suffle, queue and scan.
• Measured USB transfer speed: 700KB/sec

Links:

• Archos page

User Comments: I had an Ondio but returned it. Yes, it had very basic level meters but the build quality of the unit I had was poor. Getting a miniplug to sit in the line-in jack properly was near impossible. -Anonymous

Optional Accessories: Archos sells a US$50 external microphone and preamp designed to connect to the unit's LINE input.

Specs: SNR: > 90dB, headphone amp: 100mW.

Reviews:

User Manual: Ondio

Features:

• Unit plays and records MP3 audio files
• MP3 playback from 30-320kbps VBR
• MP3 recording selectable from 30-160Kbps.
• Records from LINE, digital input, or built-in microphone.
• Internal 20GB hard drive (over 300 hours of 128kbps audio).
• USB 2.0 interface, audio can be transferred at up to 12MB/sec (users report actual performance of 7-9MB/sec).
• Backlit LCD panel (up to 8 lines of characters).
• Unit functions as a mountable hard-disk drive -- MP3 files can be freely dragged and dropped between the desktop and the device.
• Firmware updates downloadable from manufacturer's site.
• Manual recording level control (LINE/MIC inputs).

User Comments:

• The device's user interface for making recordings leaves quite a bit to be desired. Although Archos continues to provide firmware updates, compared to Minidisc equipment, the recording procedure for this device is absolutely archaic, to wit: To record, one must first "name" the file that will hold the recording. This is done with a simple titling interface not unlike what one finds on MD equipment (using arrow keys to select characters an move the cursor). Once the file is named, recording can commence at the push of a button. When a second recording is to be made, a new file name must be created, if this is not done each subsequent recording writes over the file created in the prior recording. This makes Sony's clunky END SEARCH procedure look brilliant and modern. A much simpler interface would have been one that placed each recording sequentially in a directory on the device (or allowed the user to assign a directory to hold recordings), with each recording automatically given names like "1", "2", "3", etc.
• The user manual leaves something to be desired as well.

Included Accessories:

• USB 2.0 (A-A) cable
• AC-DC adapter
• 2 sets of NiMH Batteries (one set already installed)
• Stereo headphones
• Carrying pouch
• MusicMatchTM Jukebox software
• Manual in 5 languages

Links:

• Archos page
• Rockbox (Archos Hacking) site.
  • User comments on RockBox: The RockBox software is an incredible upgrade over the [hopeless] stock OS from Archos. After the upgrade the performance is comparable to the iPOD (its main competitor) in almost every area including speed, display options, and software stability. It even corrects skips and errors in songs that the stock Archos software does not. -Toshi Woudenberg

Optional Accessories: Archos sells a US$50 external microphone and preamp designed to connect to the unit's LINE input.

Specs: SNR: > 90dB, headphone amp: 100mW.

Reviews:

User Manual: Jukebox Recorder 20

Features:

• Unit plays and records MP3 audio files
• MP3 playback from 30-320kbps VBR
• MP3 recording selectable from 30-160Kbps.
• Records from LINE, built-in microphone, or FM tuner.
• Recorder has "retro" (time-machine) function that starts recording 30 seconds before button is pushed).
• Recordings can be edited (cut-in and cut-out points set).
• Internal 20GB hard drive (over 300 hours of 128kbps audio).
• USB 2.0 interface, audio can be transferred at up to 12MB/sec.
• 112 x 64 pixel backlit LCD panel (up to 8 lines of characters).
• FM tuner (88-108MHz, scan function, 30 preset stations).
• Unit functions as a mountable hard-disk drive -- MP3 files can be freely dragged and dropped between the desktop and the device.
• Firmware updates downloadable from manufacturer's site.
• Manual recording level control (LINE/MIC inputs).
• Play modes: Normal, single, repeat all, shuffle, queue and scan.
• Sound controls: Volume, bass, treble, loudness, balance and bass boost.

User Comments:

Second generation of original Archos Jukebox 20 with several improvments:

• Recording mode now appends a part number (pt) to the audio file name, allowing you to start a new recording in a new file with the press of a button. First file will be "mysong", second file will be "mysongpt01". (Archos could still do with a course in UI design, but this is much better than the interface on the Jukebox Recorder 20).
• LiIon battery.

Included Accessories:

• USB 2.0 (A-A) cable
• AC-DC adapter
• Factory installed LiIon battery
• Stereo headphones
• Carrying pouch
• MusicMatchTM Jukebox software
• Manual in 5 languages

Links:

• Archos. page
• Rockbox (Archos Hacking) site.

Optional Accessories: Archos sells a US$50 external microphone and preamp designed to connect to the unit's LINE input.

Specs: SNR: > 90dB, headphone amp: 100mW.

Reviews:

User Manual: Jukebox FM Recorder 20

Features:

• Unit has no uploading capability, but uses Compact Flash cards that can be attached to a computer.
• Formats CF media as FAT filesystem which allows for it to be mounted as a volume on a PC.
• Max quality/time: Linear (PCM) 48kHz / 90 min, with 2 x 512MB CF cards.
• Accepts up to 512MB CF type 1 media
• Supports MPEG 1 Layer 2 (@48kHz), MPEG 2 Layer 2 (@24kHz), as well as Linear PCM (.WAV) (@48kHz)
• Selectable sampling rate of 24kHz or 48kHz
• Selectable bit rate of 16kbps~128kbps per channel (MPEG mode) for best audio quality vs recording time
• 2 memory card slots for extended Playback/Recording
• Stereo or mono recording
• Seamless continuous recording from bay 1->2 or 2->1
• Up to 9,990 tracks can be saved within 10 sub folders
• Back lit display
• Built-in monitor speaker
• Mic Limiter, attenuator and low cut filter switches
• Stereo XLR Mic inputs
• RCA inputs and outputs
• H/P jack w/volume control
• User adjustable menu
• Runs on 6 AA batteries, or supplied AC adapter
• Supplied with shoulder strap and soft cover case
• Editing features: track divide (rehearsal mode with 0.05sec/0.024sec resolution), track erase, all erase.

Links:

• Denon recording time chart
• Denon brochure
• Pro-Audio Review
• Radio World review

Specs: Headphone amp: 12mW+12mW

Reviews:

User Manual: DN-F20R

Features:

• Accepts media in Compact Flash or IBM Microdrive up to 10gb ( when available ), allowing over 12 hours continious recording in uncompressed stereo WAV format, and much longer in compressed MP2 or MP3.
• Records as WAV, Broadcast Wave, MP2 or MP3
• Switcheable bitrate ( 16 to 384 kbps ) and sampling frequency ( 48, 44.1, 32, 24, 22.05, 16khz ) allows the user complete control over file sizes and audio quality.
• USB port for direct high speed file transfer and software updating
• Large LED screen shows a wide range of recording information
• Lockable covers for setting selectors and media slot, allows pre-setup to leave users free to concentrate on recording without concerning themselves about complex settings.
• Improved ergonomics for easier use in the field.
• Digital input and output, XLR microphone inputs, unbalanced line input and output on cinch/rca.
• Switcheable phantom power ( 48V )
• Automatic and manual recording level control
• Microphone filtering and limiter
• Mark points during recording and playback
• EDL playback modes
• Built in condensor microphone and loudspeaker

Links:

• Marantz page.

Reviews:

Features:

• Records to Compact Flash cards (audio uploaded to PC through Compact Flash adapter).
• Recording formats: 32/44.1/48kHz, stereo/mono, MPEG-1 Layer 2 & 3 (56, 64, 112, 128, 192, 256kbps), Linear PCM.
• Mic limiter
• Level meters, manual recording level control.
• Backlit 128 x 64 pixel LCD
• Editing functions: track delete.

Links:

• Mayah page.
• Available from Sonotechnique (Canada)

Specs: Headphone amp: 60mW+60mW, SNR: >94dB (PCM)

Reviews:

User Manual: Flashman

Dock: In: 2x XLR balanced mic/line. Out: line (3.5mm jack), headphones (3.5mm jack). Data: USB 1.1

Dock: 160 x 120 x 44mm, 280g

Features:

• Records to Compact Flash cards in Linear or MPEG2-Layer 2 format (8-384kbps, 16-48kHz sampling)
• File format: BWF (Broadcast Wave)
• "Time-machine" recording with 2, 5 or 10 second (selectable) pre-record buffer.
• Manual and automatic record level control.
• Docking station with recharger and speaker.
• Handheld has small internal speaker.
• Date and Time stamp recording.
• Unit appears as mountable volume when connected through USB cable to a PC.
• No editing controls other than track delete

Links:

• Maycom page

Specs: SNR: >80dB, Crosstalk: <-80dB, Harm. Distortion: < 0.005%

Reviews:

User Manual: Handheld

Features:

• Unit comes in two versions (differentiated by its "backpack"): 128MB Flash based and 20GB Hard Drive based.
• MP3 playback (up to 320kbps) with VBR support
• MP3 recording from 64-160kbps
• Record from LINE input, built-in mic, or built-in FM radio
• 2" (diagonal) LCD with orange LED backlight (128x128 pixel)
• Unit can broadcast its audio in FM band (91.MHz-104.9MHz) up to 20 feet, in mono or stereo.
• Compatability: Windows only

Links:

• Neuros 128MB page
• Neuros 20GB page
• Neuros HD backpack (optional accessory US$180)

Specs: Headphone amp: 30mW+30mW RMS

Reviews:

Features: Hard Disk based recorder. Compatability: Windows-only.

• Records in MP3 and PCM mode.
• Available with 10, 20, 30 and 40GB capacity hard drives.
• No recording level control (^*See updates, below)
• Recording files are automatically named (with date/time) at the end of a recording.
• MP3 recording: sampling rate can be set from 8 to 44.1kHz, encoding bit rate can be set from 64 to 320kbps.
• WAV (PCM) recording: sampling rate can be set to 11.025, 22.05, 32 and 44.1 kHz.
• Backlit 132 x 64 pixel LCD display
• Wired remote and Wired FM remote have built in microphone.
• Does not appear as mountable volume on desktop, special transfer software is necessary to move audio to/from device.
• Two battery slots

Updates: A reader reports that some form of gain control is available in more recent firmware updates (he surmises that the gain control is done digitally, i.e. there is no analog preamp prior to the A/D stage). An excerpt from the text file that goes with the latest JB3 firmware ( 1.32.02) reads: You can now record audio with a microphone (available separately) by directly connecting it to your player. Your player supports microphone recording with dynamic microphones and self-powered condenser microphones. If the audio that you want to record is relatively soft, your player can help boost the volume of the recording by as much as 48 dB.

Links:

• Creative Nomad page

Specs: SNR: <=98dB (LINE), <=96dB (Headphone), headphone amp: 100mW

Reviews:

User Manual: Jukebox 3

Features: Hard Disk based recorder. PC/Mac compatible.

• Records in PCM mode only (no MP3 encoding).
• Available with 6, 10 and 20GB capacity hard drives.
• Recording level control can be adjusted during recording.
• Recording files must be manually named (via simple cursor titling interface) at the end of each recording.
• Backlit 132 x 64 pixel LCD display
• Max USB transfer rate: 0.5MB/sec
• Does not appear as mountable volume on desktop, special transfer software is necessary to move audio to/from device.

Variants: Jukebox C appears to be 6GB price reduced version. Records in WAV/PCM format as original Jukebox does.

Links:

• Creative Nomad page

Specs: SNR: >90dB

Reviews:

User Manuals: Jukebox, JukeboxC

Features:

• Backlit 100 x 64 pixel LCD
• Multifunction touch keypad
• Records to MMC (MultimediaCards)
• 2 MMC slots
• MPEG Layer 3 bitrates for recording: 32-128kbps, sampling rates: 16, 32, 44.1 48kHz
• Recording level meters
• Stereo/mono recording modes.
• Auto and manual recording level modes. Manual recording level can be changed during recording.
• Editing features: track delete.
• Separate line and mic jacks, recorder can be set to mix line and mic signals.
• Compatability: Windows-only
• Vaporware? Unit does not appear to be available anywhere.

Links:

• Orban page
• MP3 newswire.net

Reviews:

User Manual: Sountainer

Features: Pogo Products line of RipFlash units are flash memory based MP3 players that also have various recording capabilities. All units can record in [at least] 128kbps stereo. Units connect via USB cable but do not appear on desktop as a storage volume. Rather, special (Windows-only) software must be used for audio file transfer to/from the device. Units do not appear to have recording level controls (neither manual nor automatic), nor do they seem to have recording indicators that show whether an audio signal is present.

Variants:

• Common to all models:
  • At least 128MB
  • LINE input jack
  • Built-in mic (available encoding rates for built-in Mic are frequently lower than those available when recording from external inputs)
  • Built-in speaker (except RipFlash DX)
  • Gap-detection (starts new file when silence occurs on input)
• RipFlash:
  • Base model
  • MP3 recording
  • 2 AA batteries
• RipFlash PLUS:
  • MP3 recording
  • Backlit display
  • 128MB and 192MB versions
  • Smartmedia card expansion slot (allows adding up to 128MB, ca. 2003)
• RipFlash DX:
  • WMA (Windows Media Audio) format recording (not MP3)
  • SD/MMC expansion slot (allows adding up to 128MB, ca. 2003)
  • 13 hours MP3 playback on 2 AAA Alkaline batteries
  • No speaker
• RipFlash PRO:
  • MP3 recording
  • Slim form factor case.
  • 128MB, 192MB and 256MB versions
  • LiIon battery.
  • Battery life: 30h MP3 recording
• RipFlash TRIO:
  • MP3 recording
  • FM radio and FM recording.
  • Slim case.
  • Microphone jack (as well as LINE input jack)
  • External lapel microphone included

User Comments: Input sensitivity on RipFlash TRIO microphone jack is somewhat low.

Links:

• Pogo Products' touting of the Direct Recording (line input recording) feature of their units.
• RipFlash UK Distributor
• Comparison table of Ripflash models at HotMP3Gear.com
• Also sold under the Jazpiper name in Hungary.

Optional Accessories: Archos sells a US$50 external microphone and preamp that can be connected to the unit's LINE input.

Reviews:

User Manuals: RipFlash, RipFlash PLUS, RipFlash DX, RipFlash PRO, RipFlash TRIO

Features:

• Playback File Support: MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3, WMA, ASF, WAV
• ID Tag support: ID3 V1 Tag, ID3 V2 2.0, ID3 V2 3.0
• 10GB Hard Drive
• Line/Optical recording in PCM (16bit/44.1kHz WAV) and MP3 (32 - 320Kbps) format
• Integrated FM tuner
• USB 2.0 interface
• 8-line Backlit LCD display on main unit, 4-line Backlit LCD on remote
• Remote has dedicated recording controls
• No microphone level input
• Recording level may be changed only while paused

Links:

• iRiver iHP-100 product page
• Available from Outward Sound

User Comments: This device is what many have been wishing for in the realm of fully computer-integrated portable recording gear. The unit is tiny and well built with many thoughtful design touches. The recording interface is intuitive and the remote has dedicated controls for each of the recording settings (file type, encoding bitrate, recording level). In fact the remote is the nicest I've seen on any unit and its display is amazing. Computer connection is exactly as it should be; no drivers or software are necessary, it simply appears as a USB hard drive on PC & Mac systems, making transfers quick and easy. Playback battery life is rated at "up to 16 hours", however real-world recording battery life is only about 2.5 hours. The only other recording hiccups are a limit on the length of single recordings (795MB/78minutes in PCM mode, 195MB or 5hours in MP3 mode) and that recording levels can only be changed when the unit is paused (like older Sony MD recorders). In my experience the most PCM audio I have been able to squeeze into a single file is 73 minutes, at which point the unit goes into REC-PAUSE mode and waits for a key press to start recording into a new file. -Mat Morgan

Specs:

• Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 20KHz
• Headphone output: 20mW(L) + 20mW(R) : 16 ohm at Max. Volume
• Frequency Characteristics: !> 2dB (Lineout)
• S/N Ratio: 90dB(L), 90dB(R) - MP3
• FM Tuner: Frequency Range: 87.5MHz ~ 108MHz, S/N Ratio: 50dB, Headphone/Earphone Cord Antenna
• Operational Temperature: 00C ~ 400C

Reviews:

User Manual: iHP-100