Cheap, all-in-one MP3 recorder?

[Geoff H]

Hey everyone!

My band is looking to spend a bit of money on a small, easy-to-use portable recorder for laying down ideas during our practices. I know there are a fair number of threads in here already asking similar questions, but I'd like to narrow down what I'm looking for to the following:

• Under $200
• Easy to use
• Records in MP3 format (yes, I keep hearing people recommending MiniDisc instead, but in keeping with 'easy to use', I want to be able to plug the thing into my computer, and have the MP3 files right there, ready to be e-mailed to the other band members)
• Preferably with a semi-decent built-in microphone (again, in keeping with easy-to-use).

Now, sound-quality is obviously not our number-one priority (have I mentioned 'easy-to-use' yet? ). But of course, with the criteria listed above, we'd like to have it sound as good as possible.

So, any suggestions for what we should be looking into?

Thanks!
~Geoff
http://www.modernrepublic.ca

 

[uglybassplayer]

I know it's out of your price range, but the Edirol R-09 ($399 street price) is literally the "best thing since sliced bread" in this category. I was very hesitant to plunk down that much dough on an MP3 recorder, but after hearing the rehearsal tracks (along with some stealth concert recordings) from a friend who purchased one, I couldn't resist. The built-in mics are surprisingly good, the mic preamp is outstanding as is the MP3 encoder. It's worth saving the extra money and waiting for.

If however, you can't (or aren't willing to) go that route, you can make do with an iRiver IFP-799 for under $170 (maybe even cheaper on eBay). I don't believe it has a built-in mic, but it does have a 1/8" line-in jack so you can record from an external source.

- Frank.