Belkin GoStudio Recorder for iPod
From the Manufacturer
Manufacturer’s Review (December 2, 2008)
Turn your iPod into a virtual, on-the-go recording studio with the Belkin GoStudio Recorder. With its highly portable and rugged design, built-in microphones for stereo recording, and a wide array of advanced controls, the GoStudio is the perfect way to record interviews, lectures, and music directly onto your iPod. And by simply connecting your iPod to your computer, it’s a cinch to upload your new content to your blog or Web site, or to your Facebook or MySpace pages.
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Two combo XLR 1/4-inch jacks lets you connect external mics or line-level sources. View larger. |
The GoStudio includes dock inserts so it works with a variety of iPods. View larger. |
The GoStudio provides easy access to many controls. View larger. |
Portable High-Quality Recording
The GoStudio was designed with the roaming recording professional in mind, letting you make high-quality recordings directly onto an iPod. This palm-sized studio features a docking cradle that keeps your iPod secured in a position that allows convenient and comfortable access to the screen and click wheel.
The GoStudio features two built-in stereo microphones and also has two combo inputs with XLR and 1/4-inch jacks for connecting either external microphones or line-level sources, and a 3.5-mm mini-jack microphone input.
Easy to access controls, including a master level control with signal/clip LEDs and a direct monitor level control, let you adjust the gain and control your recording levels. The GoStudio also has a limiter switch, mono switch, and low cut filter, as well as a headphone jack that lets you monitor the recorded material in real time.
You can record in either high-quality or low-quality mode, depending on what your applications are and how much free disk space you have. On high-quality mode, you can make 16-bit 44.1 kHz recordings, which has the same quality as audio CDs. This results in large files (about 10 MB per minute) that are ideal for recordings of live concerts. Low-quality mode, better for voice memos, interviews, and lectures, records at 22.05 kHz in 16-bit mono and weighs in at about 2.5 MB per minute.
With all these controls and options, you’ll be able to make clear recordings whether you’re in a recording studio, in a lecture hall, or out in the field interviewing people.
For musicians and others who want even more options, such as the ability to mix four channels of audio simultaneously with your iPod, the Belkin TuneStudio is the way to go.
Play Back Your Recordings Instantly
When you’re done with your recording, you can play back your audio instantly either through headphones or through the built-in speaker. Your recordings can easily be transferred to your computer for more editing, storage on your hard disk, and burning onto a CD.
And once you’ve edited your files and uploaded them to iTunes, it’s a simple step to add your new audio content your blog, Web site, Facebook or MySpace pages, or wherever else your fancy takes you. With the GoStudio Recorder, you’re only limited by your imagination.
Compatibility with Range of iPods
The Belkin GoStudio Recorder is compatible with 2nd and 3rd generation iPod nano, iPod classic, and iPod 5th generation.
The Belkin GoStudio requires two AAA batteries (included) for operation and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What’s in the Box
GoStudio, adapter inserts for different iPods, warranty card, quick start guide, two AAA batteries.
Use the GoStudio to easily make field recordings and interviews.
Product Description
The GoStudio is compact, portable, and sturdy enough to stand up to the rigors of a mobile digital lifestyle. Designed GoStudio for a wide range of users from podcasters to students, teachers to journalists its shape offers easy access to the controls and simplifies the audio recording process. The iPod docking cradle keeps your iPod secured in a position that allows convenient and comfortable access to the screen and click wheel.Your GoStudio will help you make the most of the high-quality recording capabilities of the iPod. You can use the built-in microphones or connect up to two dynamic microphones to record your sources. There are controls for level and gain as well as a limiter and a low cut filter to help you maintain the quality of your recordings. Lastly, the GoStudio also offers a headphone jack and built-in speaker to play back your recordings on the go.
Buy Belkin GoStudio Recorder for iPod at Amazon
Buy Belkin GoStudio Recorder for iPod at Amazon
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Shortly after we began using the GoStudio, we noticed that it really drains batteries fast. Too fast. The owners manual refers to an optional “AC Power Supply” (Part #F8Z295-PWR) so I tried to order one. No such item could be found on the Belkin website – or anywhere else that Google can search.
By phone, Belkin Technical Support told me the part doesn’t exist (even though I got the part number from the manual and there is a clearly labeled jack for it to connect to). He referred me to Belkin Customer Support who told me the item does exist, but Belkin is not selling it yet. He recommended I use the specs listed in the back of the book to go find one myself.
I found a source on ebay that sells power supplies and ordered one with the same specs (+5VDC, 1A, etc.) from Hong Kong. After 3 weeks it finally came – but the plug doesn’t fit! Belkin Customer No-Service tells me to take it to a Radio Shack and try to find one with the same specs that will fit. No such luck.
Now, I am stuck with a Belkin GoStudio that drains batteries like Dracula drains blood – and Belkin won’t sell a power supply for it. I consider this extremely poor product support and will certainly never buy anything made by Belkin again.
I purchased this in order to record special music presentations in church (and rehearsals, talks, etc) where other (or more advanced) recording equipment was not available. I haven’t used it with microphones beyond the on-board mics, but those functioned as I would have hoped- like a tape recorder for your iPod. Is the sound crystal-clear and studio quality? No. But I got exactly what I paid for (although, the sound is much higher quality than cassette recorders I have used in the past).
It is light-weight and very easy to use. I can’t speak to its durability because I have been fortunate to not drop it as of yet. It may not look terribly sophisticated, from an aesthetic standpoint, but it gets the job done. If you are a novice with recording technologies, I think this is a nice piece of starter equipment because it has a simple, intuitive (to a point) design for not a huge financial investment.
–It does drain the iPod battery pretty quickly, but this has not been a problem in my personal usage so I didn’t factor it in to my rating.–
I have also been very pleased with the way it handles input from a cassette player. Between the GoStudio recorder and iTunes, I was able to improve the quality of what was a pretty rough live tape recording. It actually minimized some of the hissing and distortion, then enhanced the vocals. This was a nice way for me to put our musical program on cd for distribution among church members who otherwise would have gotten the dubbed cassette.
I would recommend this product to other beginners as myself. If more advanced technology is available, this is obviously not an equal alternative. In cases where this is the only recording equipment available to you, it is a pretty cool gadget.
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.