Review on 🎙️ Sony ICD-SX712 Digital Voice Recorder with Flash Memory by Cary Clemons

First of all I would like to say that the voice recorder has a very nice style. I bought this recorder to use in addition to my purchase of Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 11. The instruction manual is very detailed and I recommend the buyer to read it carefully. The recorder offers a number of different settings, sensitivities and storage modes. It can also work with a Micro SD (mini) flash card and of course has its own 2 GB of internal memory. Full technical details on buttons and functions can be found in Sony's advertisement for the recorder, so I won't go into that. But I have to say that although I will keep the recorder, I was a little surprised by its size. The overall length of the recorder is 5 1/2 inches, about 2 inches longer than my old analog Olympus. . Of course the Sony ICD - SX 712 can do a lot more than the old Olympus, but I'm not sure it needs to be much longer to keep up with today's micro technology. So, the pros: excellent sensitivity, very clear shots. especially when using the noise canceling feature, and accepts an external headphone/microphone/audio device jack for a range of other uses. It can also only record when it hears your voice (or external noise loud enough for the recorder to hear), which is called the "VOR" feature. Dragon is of course a premium 11 as it can definitely be used as a digital recorder to transcribe text in the premium version of DNS 11 as well as multiple control features that speak Dragon's natural language. However, I've found that going straight to the DNS software and getting Sony out of the picture is far better. The results you get when using this recorder with Dragon NaturallySpeaking can be very different from mine. But to be honest, any problems you are having will most likely not be due to the recorder, but to the Dragon's ability to profile using this option. I had some issues with it and can say with absolute certainty that I identified the problem with the Dragon and not the recorder. Cons: The display is quite small. Details such as recording levels are hard to see on the LCD screen. All folders in the default storage can be renamed using the Sony Sound Organizer software that comes with the recorder, but not with the recorder itself. Essentially, the recorder doesn't give you the option to name your files, but it does give you the option to organize your files after you've taken the shot. Each file has a date followed by #1, #2, etc. (As far as I know you can also change the folder names when connected to a PC, but I'm not sure). The biggest problem with the Sony ICD - SX 712 is that the recorder's LCD screen goes into connection mode when you connect it to a PC. Although this icon indicates that it is connected to a PC, the batteries are also being charged (if you have rechargeable batteries). But that's all you get when you plug it into a PC. You cannot record anything through the built-in microphones while connected. I don't know if you can record something with a headset plugged into the recorder and connected to a PC, and I don't know if you really want or need to. But I would like to say that once you connect the recorder to your computer, all it can do is charge the batteries. The Sony software (Sony Sound Organizer) supplied with the recorder can 'see' the recorder once connected. I think I expected to be able to use the recorder as an external microphone when connected directly to a PC. But then I don't need it anyway. That's why I gave the recorder five stars and I really recommend this recorder to anyone who is on a tight budget and needs to get under $130. The Olympus DS 2400 and DS 5000 use "DS-2" technology, which I find very useful. in transcription and transcription programs, but are also significantly more expensive than the ICD-SX712. The Sony recorder also comes with a small retractable stand and storage bag. Headsets/headphones/earphones and a micro SD memory card must be provided by you.