Frequently Asked Questions
at Wingfield Audio
Here are the questions most frequently asked by our customers. We love hearing from you, but checking this page first may save you some time.
Which recorder should I buy? It depends on your budget and personal taste. Most available field recorders are at least "good," so chances are that there is one that's right for you. Compare specifications and battery life. Read reviews and listen to any available sound samples.
Are the recorders compatible with Mac computers? Yes. Your Mac will recognize it as an external storage drive when it is connected via USB cable. Although some of the software bundled with the handheld recorders may be for PC only, you can use your Mac-compatible software to manage and edit any of the files you make with your recorder.
All of the recorders are PC compatible.
What audio editing software do you recommend for Mac computers? Many good choices are available. Popular products for Mac are Garage Band, Amadeus, and Bias Peak.
What audio editing software do you recommend for PCs? Many good choices are available. Popular products for PC are Audacity, Sony SoundForge and Steinberg Wavelab.
What software can I use to convert recorded files from wav to mp3? Many good choices are available. Two possibilities for Mac are Garage Band and Monkey Tools Sound Grinder. Two possibilities for PC are dBpoweramp Music Converter and Switch Sound File Converter.
How can I listen to the files I've recorded? Do any of the handheld recorders come with speakers? You can listen to the files on your handheld recorder with a pair of headphones or a set of external powered speakers. None of the handheld recorders have true playback speakers. Although the little speaker monitors on sone models are quite useful, they are not powerful enough for satisfactory extended playback.
How long can I record on a flash memory card? It depends on the size of the card. See the table below for approximate maximum recordable times for flash memory cards.
| Maximum Recordable Times for Flash Memory Cards (minutes) | | Stereo Mode | Data Format | Memory Size | 2GB | 4GB | 8GB | 16GB | MP3 | 64 kbps | 4166 | 8333 | 16,666 | 33,332 | 128 kbps | 2083 | 4166 | 8333 | 16,666 | 192 kbps | 1388 | 2777 | 5554 | 11,108 | 320 kbps | 833 | 1666 | 3332 | 6664 | WAV | 16bit / 44.1kHz | 188 | 377 | 754 | 1508 | 24bit / 44.1kHz | 125 | 251 | 502 | 1004 | 16bit / 48kHz | 173 | 347 | 694 | 1388 | 24bit / 48kHz | 115 | 231 | 462 | 924 | 16bit / 96kHz | 86 | 173 | 346 | 692 | 24bit / 96kHz | 57 | 115 | 230 | 460 | | 4-Track Mode (mono tracks) | Data Format | Memory Size | 2GB | 4GB | 8GB | 16GB | WAV | 16bit / 44.1kHz | 188 | 377 | 754 | 1508 | 24bit / 44.1kHz | 125 | 251 | 502 | 1004 | | *Recording times are approximate. Actual times may differ. |
I don't live in North America. Will these products work in my country? Yes. Many international customers use batteries to avoid voltage compatibility problems with electronics rated for North America. Most of the recorders are rated for 100-240V. (Exceptions: Sony and Zoom - they are rated only for 120V). Recorders rated for 100-240V will most likely work with the voltage available in your country. However, you will need a plug adapter to plug the North American 2 flat parallel blades into your wall outlet. Recorders rated only for 120V (Sony and Zoom) will require a voltage transformer to work in your country. Plug adapters will NOT convert voltage. If you use a plug adapter to plug a 120V recorder into a 240V wall outlet, you will FRY the recorder.
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