| Make | Model | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Weight (kg) | Indicative cost (UK web prices where available) | Storage medium | Bit depth (max) | Sampling frequency (max) | Mic Input connector | Phantom power? | Line In connector | Line out connector | Headphone out | Filters? | AGC/ALC? | Limiter? | MS decoder? | Pre-record buffer? | Power supply | USB Download | Open source or dedicated software? | Computer requirements | More info. | Comments |
| Core Sound | Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) + PD Audio interface + 24/96 pre-amp | 76 | 51 | 146 | 0.5 with batteries | PD Audio card: $199. PDA + PD Audio card + software:$375. PDA + PD Audio card +24/96 preamp +software: $975 . Recording software (alone) 'Live 24/96': approx $50. | PCMCIA, SD or CF card | 24 | 96 | 24/96 preamp: 5 pin TA5 mini XLR. Break out connectors to XLR, jacks etc available | P48 by setting internal jumpers in 24/96 pre-amp, 4mA max. | 24/96 preamp: via mic inout through attentuating break-out cable | No | 3.5mm jack on PDA | No | No | No | No | No | PDA - depends on model. PD Audio card powerd by PDA. 24/96 preamp can use PP3, NiMH, Li-ion etc via adaptors | No. Download to PC via CF card. S/PDIF digital input/output on PD audio card | Open source | PDA is an integral part of the kit. Recording software for the PDA is needed | http://www.core-sound.com/pdaudio_system/3.php | Audio recording using a combination of a PDA (models specified by Core Sound), the Core Sound PD Audio interface and the Core Sound 24/96 preamp/adc, together with recording software. Pre-amp input connectors is mini XLR, with 'break-out' converter cables to other connectors available. Digital optical output from the pre-amp is fed to the PD-audio interface and into the PDA where it is stored on a flash memory card (type depends on PDA). |
| Edirol | R-1 | 99 | 134 | 30 | 0.205 w/o batteries or CF card | £319 incl VAT | CF card | 24 | 44.1 | 3.5mm jack stereo | No | 3.5mm jack stereo | 3.5mm jack stereo | 3.5mm jack stereo. SP/PDIF optical out on this socket | Low cut via audio processor | No | ? | No | No | 2 x AA | Yes USB 2.0. | Open Source | Windows XP/2000/Me or MacOS9.2 or OS X | http://www.edirol.it/europe/details.asp?id=12&la=UK&gid=-1&gruppo=Search%20products&code=346 | Built-in Mic. Built in sound effects processor. Records in WAV or MP3. |
| Edirol | R-4 | 254 | 222 | 72 | 1.7 | £999 incl VAT | 40GByte internal hard disk and CF card slot | 24 | 96 | XLR or 6.3mm jack | Yes, on XLRs | As mic inputs - switch selectable | 2x Phono | 6.3mm jack | On-board Graphic EQ | No | No | No | Yes | 8x AA | Yes USB 2.0. | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.edirol.it/europe/details.asp?id=12&la=UK&gid=-1&gruppo=Search%20products&code=356 | 4 channel recorder. Digital coaxial input and output. Built-in omni mics. Built-in loudspeakers. Jog Dial playback. Built-in waveform editor sing LCD display. Price includes case and AC adaptor |
| Fostex | FR-2 | 250 | 220 | 77 | 1.5 w/o battery | £999 incl VAT | CF card or PCMCIA hard disk | 24 | 192 | 2x XLR | P48 | 2x XLR | 2x Phono (unbalanced) | 6.3mm jack | Yes. -switchable low cut | No | Yes - switchable | No | 10 Sec | 8x AA (NiMH preferred) | Yes | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.fostexdvd.net/fxdvd_route/docs/product/fr2/fr2_overview.htm | Digital output on XLR. Concentric rotary gain controls. Built-in loudspeaker. Line and mic inputs are switched on same sockets |
| M-Audio | Micro-Track 26/96 | 69 | 21 | 102 | 0.15 with batttery | £350 incl VAT | CF card | 24 | 96 | 6.3mm TRS jacks (balanced). 3.5mm jack unbalanced. | Yes but 30V, 2mA max. | As mic inputs - switch selectable | 2x Phono | 3.5mm jack | No | No | No | No | No | Internal Li-ion battery -not removable. Charged via USB port from computer | Yes USB 1.1 or 2.0 | Open Source | Windows 2000, XP (SP1) . Mac OS X 10.3.9 or greater. | http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MicroTrack-focus.html | Records in WAV or MP3. S/PDIF coaxial digital input. Editing software included. Battery and AC adaptor included.. Comparisons by University of Wisconsin-Michigan suggest mic pre-amps are noisy relative to Sony NH-900 and Sound Devices 722 - see http://www.uwm.edu/~type/Mic%20Preamps/. |
| Mayah | Flashman | 127 | 147 | 53 | 0.6 bare; 0.715 with batteries and CF card | £1150 + VAT | CF Card | 16 | 48 | XLR balanced mono, 3.5mm jack unbalanced stereo | 12V | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack | No | No | Yes | No | No | 4x AA (NiMH preferred) | No. Download via RS 232, or using CF card in a PC | Not clear | Edit Pro software (supplied) needs PII 350MHz or better; Win 98SE or later | http://www.mayah.com/content/download/pdfs/brochures/flashman_e.pdf | Digital input and output. RS232 port for firmware updates. Designed for single handed Interview) use. It is not clear whether or not the EditPro software is needed when down-loading to PC from the CF card. |
| Marantz | PMD 660 | 113 | 47 | 184 | 0.5 | £389 incl VAT | CF Card | 16 | 48 | XLR | P48, 5mA | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack | No | Yes, switchable | No, except via AGC | No | Yes 2 sec | 4x AA | Yes USB 1.1 | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp | Built-in microphones. Built-in loudspeaker. Concentric rotary level controls. Mic attentuator. Records in WAV or MP3. |
| Marantz | PMD 670 | 264 | 185 | 55 | 1.3 | £650 incl VAT | CF Card | 16 | 48 | XLR | P48, 10mA | Phono (RCA) jacks | Phono (RCA) jacks | 6.3mm jack | Switchable low cut and band pass filters. | Yes, switchable | Yes, switchable | No | Yes 2 sec | 8x AA in battery carrier. Dedicated NiNH and Ni-Cd batteries available. | Yes USB 1.1 | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp | Superceded by PMD 671. Built-in microphone. Built-in loudspeaker. Digital coaxial input and output on RCA jacks. Concentric rotary level controls. Mic attentuator. Built-in battery charger for dedicated batteries. |
| Marantz | PMD 671 | 264 | 185 | 55 | 1.3 | £895 incl VAT | CF Card | 24 | 96 | XLR | P48, 7mA | Phono (RCA) jacks | Phono (RCA) jacks | 6.3mm jack | Switchable low cut and band pass filters. | Yes, switchable | Yes, switchable | No | Yes. 1 sec at 24 bit; 2 sec at 16 bit | 8x AA in battery carrier. Dedicated NiNH and Ni-Cd batteries available. | Yes USB 1.1 | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp | Built-in microphone. Built-in loudspeaker. Digital coaxial input and output on RCA jacks. Concentric rotary level controls. Mic attentuator. Built-in battery charger for dedicated batteries. |
| Nagra | Ares-M | 123 | 53 | 23 | 0.15 | From 1350 Swiss Francs | 1GByte internal memory | 16 | 48 | 3.5mm stereo jack | No | 3.5mm stereo jack | 3.5mm stereo jack | 3.5mm stereo jack | Yes. -switchable low cut | Yes, switchable | No | No | No | 2 x AA | Yes | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.nagraaudio.com/pro/index.php | Dedicated microphone supplied. Has built-in loudspeaker. Menu-driven set-up. Level adjustment by up/down bottons |
| Nagra | Ares-BB+ | 160 | 168 | 56 | 0.9 | From 1400+ VAT | PCMCIA card; CF card | 16 | 48 | 2x XLR | P48 | 2xXLR | 2x XLR | 6.3mm jack | Yes. -switchable low cut | Yes, switchable | No | Yes | No | 6 x AA or Li-ion battery pack | Yes | Open source | Not stated | http://www.nagraaudio.com/pro/index.php | Built-in loudspeaker. Adjustable mic sensitivity. Line and mic inputs are switched on same sockets. Internal battery charger. Menu-driven set-up. Level adjustment by up/down bottons. Intended for over-the-shoulder or table-top use. Basic machine cost does not included battery box or case. Software updates via RS232 download cable (extra at £215+VAT!) |
| Nagra | Ares-PII | 188 | 80 | 28 | 0.45 | From £1334 + VAT | CF card | 16 | 48 | 12 pin locking DIN | P48 | 12 pin locking DIN | Lemo | 3.5mm stereo jack | Yes. -switchable low cut | No | No | No | No | 5 x AA | Yes | Open Source | Not stated | http://www.nagraaudio.com/pro/index.php | Built-in loudspeaker. Menu-driven set-up. Level adjustment by up/down bottons. Breakout cables (eg to XLR) available to connect in to 12pin DIN input socket. Shares the same electronic circuitry as the BB+. Intended for hand-held use. Software updates via RS232 download cable (extra at £215+VAT!) |
| Nagra | V | 290 | 20 | 115 | 2.75 | From 9000 Swiss Francs | 20GByte HDD | 24 | 96 | 2x XLR | T power, P48 | 2x 'Sub D' | 2x XLR | 6.3mm jack | Yes. -switchable Low cut | No | Optional extra | Yes | Yes -up to 20 sec. | 8x D cells or Li-ion battery pack | Yes | Open source | Not stated | http://www.nagraaudio.com/pro/index.php | Also Firewire down load. External hard disk drive is removable, internal hard drive also available. Digital inputs and outputs. Adjustable mic sensitivity |
| Sound Devices | 722/744T | 209 | 125 | 45 | 1.2 w/o battery | 722: £1895 + VAT. 744: £2950 + VAT | Internal 20GByte HDD or CF card or both | 24 | 192 | XLR | Yes, 10mA per mic | XLR (switchable from mic connector) | TA3 mini XLR balanced | 3.5mm jack | Low cut. Switchable frequency and roll-off rate | No | On mic inputs | Yes. Decoding selectable on the headphone output | Yes 10 sec. | Sony Li-ion battery pack or external 10-18V supply | No USB. Download via 'Firewire' port | Open source | Windows 2000, XP or Mac OS X | http://www.sounddevices.com/products/722.htm | 744T is 4 channel version with timecode and 40GByte HDD. Menu-driven. LCD backlight display. 76 segment LED metering (adjustable brightness). Stepless level adjustment on mic inputs; 0.5dB steps on line inputs. Test tone oscillator. MP3 encoding. Digital input and output on BNC connectors. Internal transfer between HDD and CF card. Data connector for software upgrades. Built-in charger for Li-ion battery. To save power, record on CF card only, turn off display backlighting ('stealth mode' with no illumination is available); to maximise data security, record on both the CF card and the HDD simultaneously. |
| Sony Hi-MD | MZ-NH900/MZ-RH-10 | 82 | 82 | 21 | 0.15 | NH-900: as low as £100. RH-10: £155 (web) | 1GByte HiMD Minidisk | 16 | 44.1 | 3.5mm jack | No | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack shared with headphones | 3.5mm jack | No | Yes | No | No | No | Ni-MH 'gumstick' battery and/or external screw on battery pack (1xAA) | Yes. USB 1.1 | Sonic Stage | PII 400MHz or better. 200MB hard drive space. Windows 98SE or greater | http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=MZ-RH10&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=Features&category=PAW+MiniDisc+%26+Net+MD+Walkman | 1st generation (discontinued) and 2nd generation Hi-MD respectively (also consider NH-700 & RH-910). NH-900 - LCD display. RH10 - electroluminescent display. Sonic Stage essential for USB digital transfer - use version 3.0 or greater. Sonic Stage places restrictions on high speed digital transfer to PC (ie once only) but this can be overcome by using real-time transfer. Avoid MZ-NH1 - unique Li-ion battery only, no screw on pack for AA cells. Strong user community - see http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php. Pre-amps surprisingly quiet - see http://www.uwm.edu/~type/Mic%20Preamps/ |
| Tascam | HD-P2 | 246 | 188 | 60 | 1.2 w/o batteries | £880 incl VAT | CF card | 24 | 192 | 2x XLR also switchable as balanced Line In | P48 up to 10mA | 2x phono (RCA) unbalanced | 2x phono (RCA) unbalanced | 6.3mm | 18dB/octave roll off below 100Hz | No | Yes on/off switch selectable. | No | Yes - up to 10 seconds | 8x AA. Ni-MH recommended - but see Notes. | No USB. Download by 'Firewire' port | Yes | Windows XP. Mac OS X 10.3. | http://www.tascam.com/Products/hdp2.html | SMPTE/LTC Timecode board. Broadcast WAV file format. Digital S/PDIF input/output on RCA jack. Built-in mono microphone. Built-in speaker. 'Re-do last take' button. PS/2 keyboard input socket (allows remote control of machine). Best running time with alkaline cells ( 5 hours). Ni-Cad and Ni-MH can be used, but shorter running time and no internal charger. 12V DC adaptor included. Menu-driven. Adjustable metering decay speed, peak hold and clip hold display. Software updates via download onto CF card. Mic pad switches (-20dB). Concentric rotary level controls. |