Belkin GoStudio Recorder for iPod (Green/Gray)

I've been in film and video production for . . . well, when I started out, we were still using 16 millimeter film and recording sound on a Nagra tape recorder. One trick I learned was to tape record my research interviews with the same Nagra and microphone we'd use for the on-camera interview. By doing so, I could use the research interview as voice-over material to add to the on-camera bits.Then things went digital. It was great for the camera crew: quality went 'way up while cost and size went 'way down. The only problem was that I suddenly couldn't record audio anymore. Digital audio recorders just cost too much, or the ones that didn't lacked professional features like XLR connectors and plug-in power. Meanwhile, in my pocket was an Apple iPod that could store hours of CD-quality audio. What I wanted was a recording interface that would let me plug my pro and pro-sumer stuff into the iPod--and wouldn't require me to mortgage my house (especially since I live in an apartment).The Belkin GoStudio does the job for me. It has two good built-in mikes for stereo recording, two combo connectors (XLR and quarter-inch) for external mikes, a stereo mini mike jack with plug-in power, on-board playback, and a bunch of other features that make it useful. Best of all, it lists for about $150 (US), and I've seen it on Amazon for under $100 (also US, of course). I've only had it a few weeks and I've used it to get good recordings of interviews, sound effects, and my own incoherent rambling that I call "thinking out loud." I use an 5th generation iPod with a 30-gig drive, but it's compatible with a number of iPods and Nanos, but not the iPhone. I know 'cause I tried it.The GoStudio is not perfect. The biggest problem is that the built-in mikes pick up handling noise and even the whine of the iPod as it writes to the hard drive every few minutes. Others have also said that the GoStudio burns through its two AAA batteries pretty quickly. I haven't had this problem yet because most of my recording is a few minutes here and there. More annoying is the need to keep a supply of AAA batteries handy, when most of my other stuff (GPS, MagLite, etc.) uses AAs.But these problems aren't hard to work around. Handling and drive noise can be circumvented by using external microphones and the tripod socket on the bottom of the GoStudio. There are few occasions when I'd use the built-in microphones anyway. As for extra power, the GoStudio has an auxiliary power port, so just take it down to Radio Shack and get a generic wall wart AC adapter. For portable recordings, it shouldn't be too difficult to hack an external power supply for the aux port, or just carry extra AAA batteries.I'm using the GoStudio to record research interviews for documentaries, "found" sound effects, and my guitar playing (which I wouldn't exactly call "music"). One of these days, good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, I'll get a proper digital field recorder, but in the mean time the Belkin GoStudio is good enough for boot-strapping.

Good product for the price. It is perfect for people who already have iPod. With Belkin GoStudio you can enhance the use / application of this gadget. A really good deal that has a fair cost-benefit relationship. Easy to use, accessories as external microphones can improve the quality of sound. The only negative points are the size and batteries. Too big to carry easily and use ordinary batteries that need attention in order to avoid shortage of power when recording.

Very portable cheap way to record audio, that said if you are using an iPod with a hard drive as opposed to flash memory you will hear the hard drive spinning in your recordings.

The service from Amazon was wonderful. Unfortunately, the product was a disappointment. The Belkin product didn't work with my husband's IPOD. We ordered a new Ipod and still was disappointed in the Belkin. We did more research on the internet and found other people were having the same problem. I am sending the product back.

Once you get the on line manual its extremely easy touse. Pull in a Ipod and everything comes up pretty much plug and play, with the ipon touch menus taking care of everything. I have to try it out on a real live performance (this is what I wanted it for) but so far so good.

I love this thing. It is a versatile recorder with all the adjustments you would want. I record interviews, pods casts, and live music. I play in a musical group and can record the music to practice with. This is truly an asset to my equipment.

I purchased the Belkin to record an orchestra I was playing in. Esthetically, it looks, as someone pointed out, like a early model cell phone: clunky. For supposedly a more high end ipod interface, it has a very lo-tech feel to it. I used the attached mics but ran into the problem of harddrive noise from my ipod classic. I guess a non-harddrive ipod is the way to go. On my particular unit I wasn't able to make my own mic work. I suspect it was a returned defective unit that the resaler didn't notice/care was such. Because I was recording so close to the source (within the brass section of an orchestra), I had to shut the thing down, levels-wise, to not get a distorted result, something my Sony minidisk does better with less bells and whistles.

The price is right. For what you pay, you get a device that works well and doesn't cost a whole lot. However, the build quality is cheap. I think the plastic feels like it would break if it took a fall or a hit... or someone pulled a cable out incorrectly. Also, the volume/gain knobs are noisy... they will create a static noise when you adjust them.For a non-critical use... it does the job and does it well. I am happy with the purchase but would not recommend it for high-end work. It is a simple tool for simple jobs.