Yes, currently You have a device in your pocket that can record audio: your cell phone. But the quality of the audio you get from those tiny microphones leaves a lot to be desired. If you try to record an impromptu jam session with a band, the mic will quickly overload. You won’t get a good stereo capture of the surrounding sounds. And a reverberant auditorium will muddy any speakers.
There are many reasons to buy a field recorder: you can use it to record lectures in school, record audio for video shoots, use it as a mobile podcast studio, collect samples to use in music, or create IRs (Impulse Responses) to build custom audio effects.
There’s also the act of field recording itself – going outside and recording the sounds of your surroundings. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it. It can help you listen more carefully and observe the world around you more closely.
If you work with audio in any capacity, even as a hobby, a good handheld field recorder is a must-have. Below are our current favorites. Be sure to also check out our guides to the Best Recording Software, Best Wired Headphones and Best USB Microphones. If you’re interested in recording at home as well as outdoors, be sure to check out our guide to leveling up your home recording studio.
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