Portable audio recorders

Podcasters are always bumping into people they want to interview on the fly. Even if you don't podcast — say, you're out at a speech, at a concert or in a remote rainforest — you just may want to capture the audio for replaying or posting online. Cell phones can do in a pinch, but here are some other portable recorder options:

• The Griffin iTalk Pro ($49) attaches to the bottom of most iPods and records in 16-bit stereo audio at 44.1 kHz. You can also plug an external mike into the 3.5mm jack on its bottom.

• The Belkin TuneTalk ($70) attaches to your iPod and records at CD-quality 16 bits/44kHz.

• The XtremeMac MicroMemo($50) is an external microphone for fifth-generation iPods.

• The Archos Gmini 402 ($299) can record at CD-quality 44 kHz.

• At the high end, the M-Audio Micro Track ($499) can record at 44 or 96 kHz and has full-size quarter-inch jacks.

Sources: PC Magazine; Ourmedia

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