Audio recorder

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Hi. I am looking to pursue a new hardware project I have. I am not sure if arduino would be the best tool for it, but maybe you can help point me in the direction of things I have not heard about.

What I want to do is build a simple voice recorder that is wireless. I know there are many out there (pen records or any of those hidden audio recorders), but I want one that has a processor so I can have programs running on it.

So I guess, where could I start? Is there an arduino that is small of enough to fit in your pocket that could power a voice recorder for a certain amount of time? Maybe some other device? What's the best audio recorder?

I figure all it would need is:

  • battery
  • processor (to run some software)
  • microphone.

Any help would be great, thanks!

2

Where are you going to store the digitised audio data?
Where does the wireless bit come in?

3

Well I was thinking some sort of Micro SD card.

Wireless bit? Well I would just like the device to be wireless. So I can throw it in my pocket or whatever and it will run on battery.

4

:frowning: I'm not feeling too good about this...

You'll need to add memory and a digital-to-analog converter, and a microphone preamp, and some sort of user-interface. (The Arduino has a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter, which is probably good enough for voice.)

Is there an arduino that is small of enough to fit in your pocket...?

It's not easy to make things small "at home". You'd probably need to make a custom surface-mount PCB and figure-out how to get the small high-density parts soldered on. By the time you design, breadboard, protototype, and debug your device, you'll probably spend a at least a few months and as much money as you'd spend buying a digital recorder.

I know there are many out there, but I want one that has a processor so I can have programs running on it.

How about a smart phone with a memo/recording app? (Or a "modern" iPod that runs iOS applications.) There are applications, interfaces, and good quality [u]microphones[/u] for the iPhone. (The iPhone has a standardized interface, so if you want to add an any hardware such as a microphone or audio interface, I'd go with the Apple product.)

What's the best audio recorder?

The "best" portable recorder is going to cost you a few thousand dollars, and won't fit in your pocket. [u]Here[/u] are several digital portable-pocket recorders starting around $100 USD.

5

Hi, thanks!

I was actually leaning toward having no interface. Maybe a button to turn it off. But ya, memory and battery life may make it hard to keep it small.

I have an iPhone. This is sort of for something different.

6

Jonovono:
I have an iPhone. This is sort of for something different.

Well, you probably are better off getting one already built for the purpose. :slight_smile:

7

hah ya. I bought a voice recorder, and I love how simple it is to use (Call me lazy, but it's nice to just pick it up and speak into it rather than unlocking the phone, opening the record app, hitting start recording and then stop. For quick things I find it much easier to use the voice recorder). The only thing I want to add onto that is making it so I can analyze the audio being spoken into it. I guess similar to siri (I have not looked into making an app for siri but that would be my next plan ).

8

Jonovono:
The only thing I want to add onto that is making it so I can analyze the audio being spoken into it. I guess similar to siri.

You'll want a computer for that - not a basic Arduino. :smiley: