Topic: Newbie needs advice on recorders with particular feature set

[leeskanji]

I'm trying to find a recorder that:

1. Let's you monitor the input sound/output of the internal/external microphone via the headphones WITHOUT recording. (So you know exactly what the recorder is hearing before hitting record.)

2. if possible, have an onboard mixer that will allow mixing of 2 input sounds (internal external) with, again, output being monitored via the headphones.

Is there such a recorder? (lol maybe all recorders mentioned can do this but I didn't see them specifically mentioned after a cursory examination.)
Fidelity to the original sound would be great (via internal mic.) but feature #1 is crucial (#2 not quite so much.)

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

[John Willett]

The Nagra and Olympus recorders let you monitor when to press "record ready" (press record once) so you can monitor without actually recording - if the pre-record memory is activated, then this is being filled up at the same time.

This is so you can monitor and set levels without actually recording.

I thought most (if not all) digital recorders did this.

[Ozpeter]

The DR-60D from Tascam monitors without pressing record first.  So you've got monitor > record ready (much the same really) > record.  (It's a feature you can turn off in the menu).  So you can use it as a little mixer if you want, or an MS decoder.  But indeed,  I think all recorders allow you to monitor before the recording runs, otherwise how would you check the sound and set levels?

[LikeASong]

I thought most (if not all) digital recorders did this.

Yes they do - at least all I have

[leeskanji]

thanks all for the advice.

Since it looks like most important feature is supported by most recorders I'll just get one with good reputation for sound fidelity depending on what I read here.

[OMA]

Feature #1 is standard with just about ANY recorder.

But #2, I don't think so. What do you exactly need?