Product Review: Sony ICD-SX57DR9 Digital Voice Recorder

The Sony ICD-SX57DR9 is a digital voice recorder that offers four recording modes. If you need to transcribe your audio files, you will appreciate the compatibility with Dragon Naturally Speaking software that allows you to convert your files to text easily. You can find the Sony ICD-SX57DR9 for a price between $150 and $170. Let's take a look at some of the other features offered by this digital voice recorder.

The Sony ICD-SX57DR9 is equipped with 128 MB of built-in flash memory. As mentioned earlier, the unit offers four recording modes. The LP mode, which offers the least quality, provides a recording time of 47 hours and 35 minutes. The SP mode offers a recording time of 34 hours, while you can record for 22 hours and 30 minutes in ST mode.

The last recording mode is STLP. With the 128 MB of integrated memory, you can record for 11 hours and 15 minutes. This mode allows you to achieve longer recording times while still recording using two channels for increased quality.

The Sony ICD-SX57DR9 also has a digital voice up feature. When using the unit to record from a distance, this feature will increase the volume to produce better sound quality. You also have the ability to monitor the recording using headphones and adjust the recording level. The Sony ICD-SX57DR9 also provides digital pitch control which allows you to play the recording at a slower or faster speed.

This digital voice recorder can also play unsecured .mp3 files. The unit also comes with the Digital Voice Editor 3.0 software which allows you to convert sound files into .wav and .mp3 formats. If you have a lot of .mp3 files on your computer, you can just connect the Sony ICD-SX57DR9 using the included USB cable and drag and drop the files to the recorder.

In addition to the USB cable, you are also provided with a carrying pouch and earbud headphones when you purchase the Sony ICD-SX57DR9. The unit is powered by AAA batteries and is packaged with two batteries. These batteries can provide enough power to operate the Sony ICD-SX57DR9 for approximately 20 hours.