Yamaha Corp. Digital Audio Recorder 40 hrs

I auditioned this unit in comparison to the $100 less expensive Yamaha 2G which is very similar but with lower quality mics built in. Both function very similarly. I found the sound quality for spoken word to be great, and for acoustic jamming, also quite fine. For recording a live band in a practice space (my intended use) I found the cheaper 2G to be a tad compressed and "washed out" sounding with a not very extended high end. The CX sounded clearer but with a reedy high end and poor bass response. Both models sounded FAR better when using a plug-in external stereo mic like a ATM-822. Lastly, the 2G plugs directly into your USB port without a cord. Convenient, but the design makes the USB port support the device, and it feels like it is putting strain on the port floating out of the side of your laptop 6". The CX uses a micro-USB cable to plug-in.

At $400, I'm not sure this product is a great deal. I'd expect the mics to be better for the money, otherwise, you can just use the cheaper 2G model with a external mic and get better sound than the CX.

I have owned this for a month now and it keeps amazing me. I use it for Voice recording not musical recording.

The quality is superb and has a ton of features so it takes a few days to really get acquainted with it. The battery life, and recording times are off the chart good, plus the mic is super sensitive. It picks up everything. I would think for music use its equally as good.

Pros:

1. Long battery life and uses only 1 AA(comes with rechargeable Ni-Mh)

2. recharges directly through the unit

3. records to microSD and includes 2GB card and usb cable

4. Wav playback if needed.

5. Superb frequency response and mic sensitivity

6. lots of recording quality settings

7. Markable playback and sweet FF Rew options

8. PCM modes(uncompressed WAV) expandable to 12 hours with 8GB card

9 Amazing recording time on 2 GB card, has a low power processor

10. good editing software

11. actually a decent MP3 and WMA player for a VR

12. real 5-band Equalizer functionality

13. Can Edit and Divide files

the list goes on and on!

Cons:

NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You really can't go wrong for the $300 price or even below, it's by far the best $ for $. Plus you will save money on batteries. non-proprietary battery and media. I mean WOW it's close to perfect.

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I just got the Pocketrax CX. The first thing that I noticed about it is how reasonable Yamaha is. Unlike a number of other portable audio devices, the CX has a standard AA removable NiMH battery, a standard MicroSD memory port, and looks like a memory device when plugged into a USB port. No proprietary memory, hidden built-in battery, or computer-slogging software needed to access it!

I really like this little guy, but it does have a few limitations.

The CX has very good audio quality using the internal microphones, and supports external mic's through a standard stereo 1/8" (3.5mm) jack that supplies electret mic bias voltage out. I have seen that larger digital recorders support XLR inputs with HV phantom power but you won't get that in this little palm-sized recorder.

I did find that, with the MIC SENS on high, and the gain setting cranked all the way up, that a bit of digital noise gets in. I popped a Sony mini-stereo mic into the input and the noise went away. It may be an artifact of the mic circuitry layout or internal mic power. Once again, this is with every part of the input stage maxed out definitely not what most folks would do.

Speaking of setting the mic gain, while recording, pressing the >> and

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