How to choose your dictaphone?

There are several types of Dictaphones on the market. Each has its own assets and therefore suits each utility according to the needs of the users. The features then vary depending on your need. To guide you in your choice, here are some necessary tips so you don't get the camera wrong. Student, professional or private, you will always need it in one way or another.

Focus on your physical appearance

Seeing the physical aspect is to see the design, the make and the size of the device. The design can be modern or classic. Everyone's taste differs according to their preferences. If for a student, a pocket dictaphone, of trendy design is ideal for recording courses and field research, the professional leans instead to another one with a rather classic design, but whose functions are more wide. Some dictaphones have a screen where the menu is displayed. The latter offers greater accessibility to features. It is therefore both physical and technical since it encompasses both. 

The size follows almost the same criteria as the design. For example, a field agent prefers a pocket dictaphone, which is easy to slip into the bag and used discreetly. Instead, Grandpa or Grandmother would opt for a large, easy-to-spot recorder so you don't miss anything on your daily to-do list. 

As for the brand, it's the young people who think about it. There are several on the market. However, preferences differ from person to person. Middle-aged people don't really ask themselves that point, unless it's related to the capacity of the device. 

The technical capacity of the device

The capacity of a dictaphone is divided into several criteria, including its AutonomyHis recording speedThe sound quality that it produces, theStorage spaceEtc.

First, the autonomy of such a device is judged from its power supply. Currently, the most well-known power source is the rechargeable battery, but there are still those that work with batteries. 

The speed of the recording translates into the quality of the sound that will come out of the device, i.e. the quality of the recorded elements. To know it, you have to see if the device is equipped with a good microphone or not. 

The wider the storage space, the more sounds the dictaphone can record. For analog dictaphones, storage memory remains the microcassette. This limits its capacity to only 90 minutes of data. On the other hand, a digital dictaphone has an internal memory that can hold up to several gigabytes of recorded data. 

Value for money

We are sometimes too interested in the aspects of the device that we forget that price is also a criterion not to be left out when choosing. All brands have their own price. Sometimes the latter is an expression of the brand's notoriety. In some cases, the value for money does not reflect the expected capacity of the device. So when you choose your dictaphone or the one you plan to offer someone, don't stop at the physical aspects. Give yourself time to evaluate the features of the device and especially see if these actually match the price displayed.

What are the important criteria in choosing your dictaphone?

The above tips have been spread out to guide you in your choice. To be clearer, we will go into even more detail about these criteria. 

As the analog dictaphone is increasingly disappearing from the market, we will no longer drag ourselves into detailing its various features. What will interest us is the digital dictaphone. A handy gadget for audio transcription, the digital dictaphone makes it easy to record sound data by then releasing high-definition files. 

If you want to get the best voice recorder, take a good look at the technical aspects of the device rather than its physical appearance. These include its storage capacity, its autonomy, the sound quality it records, the speed of recording, the range of the microphones and other features that can help you in your work. 

Storage capacity

In general, everyone knows what storage capacity is. Indeed, any device that can record data, sound, videos, etc. has a storage capacity. Expressed in Bytes, Capacity is used to measure the usable space of the device, that is, the space in which the data will be stored until it is transferred to the computer. The larger the capacity, the more data the device can receive. Most dictaphones for sale have an internal memory of variable capacity (2GB, 4GB, 8GB, etc.) and expandable. A memory is said to be expandable when it is possible insert a memory card inside for the purpose ofIncrease its storage capacity. So, if you want to get a dictaphone with a large capacity, you have the choice between buying a device whose memory is not very large, but is expandable, and another with a large storage memory.

The battery life of the device

The dictaphone's autonomy means its ability to operate off electric power. In other words, this is the length of time you can use the gadget as a recorder or as an MP3 player, without having to connect it to an external energy source. 

Autonomy depends on the type of power supply. If it is done with batteries, the battery life of the device will be a reflection of that of the batteries. Once the batteries are flat, the dictaphone discharges and stops working. On the contrary, if the device is operating with a battery, its battery life depends on the capacity of its battery. The higher the quality of the battery, the longer its battery life will be. In this case, it should be noted that this is the lithium battery which provides more autonomy. 

The quality of the recorded sound

The recording is done all the time with parasitic noises such as wind, the voices of other people or even dogs barking. Some dictaphones are equipped with a feature to eliminate these parasitic voices. As a result, the sound quality recorded is good.

The speed of recording is also responsible. A good sound recording speed allows the dictaphone to release a high-definition voice.

The quality of the microphones or microphones

When you plan to buy a dictaphone, consider opting for a recorder with a omnidirectional micro. An omnidirectional microphone captures voices from a 360-degree angle. When you record, you will no longer need to hold the device in an inert position; the microphone assists you in order to get the same power, regardless of the position of the device in relation to the recorded sounds. 

There are dictaphones with two functional microphones. This increases their reach. A long-range dictaphone is especially useful when taking sound in a crowd or in the classroom. 

It may be that a dictaphone has interchangeable microphones. In this case, you can change the microphone depending on the circumstance of its use. Generally, one of the microphones is more powerful than the other. Thus, you can use the weaker microphone in the room while the most powerful will be intended for external uses: outdoors, for example. 

Other essential features

• Voice controlIt makes all the difference because it makes your tasks much easier. With a voice-activated dictaphone, you can record simply using your voice without having to touch the device. This is very handy when you have busy hands and you should save data.
• The transcription softwareWhen a dictaphone is equipped with this feature, it automatically transcribes your audio files into written files. This is possible with a cable connected to the computer.
• The MP3 player functionThis feature gives you a kind of entertainment. Indeed, with your headphones, you can listen to your MP3 files, recorded data or songs, in order to kill time. You can also review your lessons or think carefully about your file while eating, for example.
• The different kits included according to their respective usefulness: in general, a dictaphone comes with batteries or a battery depending on its type of power supply. For the battery, the charger is included. And if the device has other features, the related kits must be delivered with it (transfer cable, headphones, etc.).

It is undeniable that technical aspects matter more than physical aspects. However, it is necessary to give some assessments on the design and size of the dictaphone. Design and size play more or less some role in the use of this device. Practicality, manoeuvrability, these are criteria not to be overlooked. 

We take this opportunity to present you the selection of our best sellers in order to illuminate you.

The selection of our best sellers

If you want to get a good dictaphone for your studies or for your work, here are a few that may bluff you. Investing in such a device will not be in vain if you know how to make the right choice. Here is the selection of our best sellers to which you can focus your choice according to your tastes and preferences on the one hand, but also according to your budget on the other hand. 

Digital voice recorder with double microphone

This digital dictaphone has an unrivalled recording capability. Available in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB, its memory is expandable, can accommodate a memory card of up to 64GB. 

With his Lcd which displays its menus, you have the freedom to access it easily. What makes it different from others is how it tracks your recording progress in real time. So you can observe directly the state of free memory.

Aside from its exceptional menu, this dictaphone has several buttons to control it, like the LED button with which you can directly delete files you don't want to back up. The same is true when you listen, you can switch to the next or previous file just by pressing the NEXT or PREVIOUS button. These buttons help you move away from the menu to get directly to the task you want. 

This dictaphone also has a function that reduces noise. What will offer you High-definition (HD) sound. This quality, it also owes to its high recording speed. This can reach up to 1536 kbps. Its name comes from its two built-in microphones allowing it to optimize sound intake. As for naming your files, it will be very easy and chronological (precise time and date). 

The voice command and securing your data is a plus you'll benefit from with this revolutionary device. In addition, It can run continuously for up to 100 hours in a row with its 800mAh battery. This dictaphone will also allow you to take advantage of its MP3 player that can play MP3 or WMA files.

Professional USB voice recorder with multiple capabilities

Available in three models depending on storage capacity (8GB, 16GB and 32GB), can do up to 60 hours of recording. Its strong shock resistance combined with its strong energy-saving capacity from its 220 mAh lithium battery makes it an unrivalled professional device. With its miniaturized size, it has a sleek design with dimensions of 97/33mm and thickness of 11 mm.

With his 360-degree integrated omnidirectional micro, you have the power to optimize your registration. His Lcd shows both the basic settings and the recording time performed. Although small in size, it offers several features other than save, MP3 player or USB stick, among others. 

Through the jack input, this dictaphone can record up to 60 hours of recording using an external microphone in normal times compared to 48 hours in playback mode. The external microphone is not a futile accessory, it improves the quality of the sound to be recorded. To connect it to your computer, all you have to do is use its USB cable. This allows you to transfer your data easily. 

Professional digital audio recorder

Among our best sellers is this dictaphone with the HD sound offered by its microphone 90. With such a type of Microphone, you'll feel like you're reliving the events recorded during your listening. The HD quality of the sound it produces makes one of its strengths. 

As simplistic as it is, its design suits him very well as long as his backlit LCD screen accesses the state of the recording. You'll also find the state of the battery. Although it does not have internal memory, this dictaphone can be used by inserting a micro SD up to 32GB of capacity, with the port on its side. 

In order to record your voice dataSimply press the REC button. The same gesture has to be done again to stop the recording. Other control buttons like play-pause, advance-rewind, etc.) are also below the record button. The device is therefore of exceptional ease of use. For listening, you can use the audio player function with the speaker or use headphones that you will plug into the jack input if you prefer discretion.

HD portable digital audio recorder

This Dictaphone can pick up any sound that occurs within a 50m radius to release them in WAV or MP3 format. Its memory is expandable up to 64GB through an external memory card. The clarity of the recorded sounds is achieved thanks to its recording speed of 1536Kbps. The latter is combined with its technology Smart noise reduction. 

The battery life, on the other hand, is 13 hours if you record continuously. This high capacity is due to its rechargeable and environmentally friendly lithium battery. To control the battery level, you just have to check it out by looking at its high-resolution LCD screen.

You can listen to your recordings via recorder audio. These listenings are done as much through the speaker as by the headphones. The volume adjustment buttons will help you adjust the volume to your preference. This makes it easy to use the built-in MP3 player function so you can listen to your favorite songs at any time.

To copy these files, all you have to do is connect your device to your computer via a USB cable. The same procedure applies to copying your registered files to your pc. Your files are all named concisely, date and precise time, thanks to the Timestamp feature so you can search for them easily.