Rating: ★★★★½
The Sony ICD-SX712 Digital Voice Recorder is ideal for almost every situation. Whether you are a student, business person, musician or just someone who needs to do a great deal of recording, this is the product for you. Small enough to fit in your pocket, or the palm of your hand, you can just as easily set this digital voice recorder on your desk or take it with you when you travel. Though there are many types of digital voice recorders available to choose from, it is important to take your time reviewing all aspects of the recorder before making a final decision.Check out the latest offer on Amazon
Key Features of the Sony ICD-SX712 Digital Voice Recorder
There are several features to consider, when purchasing this type of recorder. Of course, some features will be more important than others, depending on what you will typically be using the device for. Things to look for include:
- Recording Quality
- Memory
- Easy Search Capability
- Folder Organization
- Software
Owning a digital voice recorder can make your college years, or professional meetings, much easier. Having a voice recorder that you can rely on makes it possible for you to concentrate on the meeting at hand instead of struggling to write notes. I am going to show you why this Sony digital voice recorder is a model that you should seriously consider.
Recording Quality
Probably one of the most important features of a digital voice recorder is sound quality. There really is nothing worse than recording an important lecture or your favorite concert, only to discover that sound distortion makes it impossible to listen to.
The Sony ICD-SX712 utilizes “Intelligent Noise Cut” technology which greatly reduces unwanted noise from the recording so that your playback is always as crystal clear as possible.
This recorder has a 2-position microphone, as well. It is one of the most powerful mics that Sony offers with this type of device. The microphone also has a handy pause button, which allows you to stop for a moment to gather your thoughts, whenever necessary.
Because the recorder automatically starts and stops at a certain noise level, you will never waste space or time recording when there is very little or no sound.
Memory
If you do your fair share of recording, an expandable memory is paramount. This Sony recorder has a memory slot that uses standard flash memory media cards. So, all of your important audio files can be transferred to your computer quickly and easily.
Easy Search Capability
Again, if you record things quite often you want a device that offers an easy search function. There is nothing worse than not being able to find what you are looking for. The recorder fast forwards and rewinds in short increments. This makes it extremely easy to find the section of recording that you want to listen to or review.
Folder Organization
The Sony ICD-SX712 features a folder organization system that makes it simple to keep track of all of your files. Creating a file for individual clients, classes or bands has never been easier. Never get lost in a jumble of files again.
Software
This digital voice recorder includes a software bundle that allows you to do a variety of things. This includes editing, placing track marks and burning your files onto CD’s.
The device also works seamlessly with Dragon NaturallySpeaking® software, which lets you work with voice-to-print capability. This makes your dictation go much faster.
What’s Included?
- Sony Digital Voice Recorder
- Recorder Stand
- Carrying Pouch
- Wind Screen
- USB cable
- Stereo Headphones
- Additional accessories such as cradle and battery case are included in some geographical locations
Does It Have a Warranty?
Yes, the ICD-SX712 digital voice recorder is backed by a limited one-year warranty on both parts and labor. Rest assured, your investment is protected.
Customer Reviews
The ICD-SX712 by Sony currently has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating at Amazon.com at the time of writing. Most consumers who use it rave about the unit’s great sound quality, ease of use and functionality. The digital voice recorder received a great deal of praise from professional musicians who needed a way to quickly, and conveniently, record their sessions while on the go. Several business people were also impressed by the clear audio they were able to capture during important meetings.
Out of the positive customer comments a few of the positive thoughts this recorder received are:
- “Very straight forward but with plenty of customization options.”
- “I love this recorder so much!”
- “I find portable digital recorders like this to be highly useful.”
- “This recorder was much more than I expected.”
- “It has incredible range and is very easy to use.”
Complaints
As with any product, some complaints are to be expected. There is almost no way one product can please every buyer 100% of the time. The two complaints this Sony ICD-SX712 digital recorder received were associated with the occasional moments of poor sound quality in a recording, and some instances of the recorder not working properly at all.
Fortunately, it seemed that for the most part these complaints were caused by the buyer attempting to use the recorder without reading the instructions. While this recorder is fairly easy to use, not reading the instructions can cause a user to miss important details that affect the devices performance. Once the complaining consumers figured out what was causing the problem, many revised their initial review.
The Good and The Bad
Considering the pros and cons of a product is one good way to reduce your chances of being dissatisfied with your final purchase, especially when you’re unsure about making a purchase in the first place. After you have read the reviews left by owners of this digital voice recorder, take a moment to review these pros and cons.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to use.
- Comes with accessories and software
Cons of this voice recorder include:
- Infrequent problems with noise distortion.
- Rather detailed instructions.
- Battery life is too short, and some people’s opinion.
Final Verdict
All in all, the Sony ICD-SX712 is an affordable digital flash recorder that is easy to take with you and records everything from meetings, to music, to dictation to anything in between.
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Sony is a quality brand that stands behind its products. So you really have no reason to hesitate when it comes to purchasing this product. Chances are, once you start using it, you’ll instantly wonder why you didn’t buy it sooner.
