Digital Recording advice needed!

[robg2251]

Wondering if someone can give me some advice. I am looking for a portable digital recording device. I will mainly be recording interviews/voice recordings that will eventually be built into audio files played on websites.
We eventually plan to possibly record music with this device, but right now we have the need for just voice recording.
We are currently recording with a mini-disc recorder with an external microphone. This works fine, but if we record a 2 hour long interview, we have to transfer it back to the computer in real-time - so it takes 2 hours to record into the computer, then we can start editing. Plus, am I losing any quality in this process?
I guess I'm looking for something that can record directly to a digital file, then I can transfer that into a program, and begin editing.

Secondly, I will need a microphone. Any ideas? Something fairly portable - maybe even with a small stand for the interviewing process..

My third question would be a recommendation on a program used for music editing. I am Macintosh based, and have experience using GarageBand - but, just curious if there are others out there that will edit multiple tracks.

Thanks in advance.

-RobG
Monroe, MI

[Elmo89m]

get a cheap portastudio...they are small

[FALKEN]

there might be an ipod type device that records mp3s. those should be editable, or at least quickly convertable.

[grn]

http://tascam.com/Products/PocketStudio5.html

[Elmo89m]

yeah pocketstudio thats what i was thinking of

[Sanjanjoseph]

audiacity...google for it..its free and you can get it for windows, linux, and i think mac...

(oh yeah, its a recording/editing program...its free)


if you want some good programs there are plenty out there like (i use cool edit pro[old adobe audition], but thats mainly recording, look into cubase, cakewalk and other things along that line. there are actually forums for all those programs so check em out!)

[robg2251]

Are the PocketStudio's the only portable mini-studio out there?

Do you see this as a better way to go over recording to a mini-disc player (quality/time wise)?