You can record lectures with a laptop computer or more conveniently, with a portable recorder like the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder. The H4 is a small recording device that has a built-in stereo condenser microphone. Recordings can be transferred from the H4's SD card, or directly to a computer via USB cable.
Instructions
1. Ask permission to record the lectures. Some schools restrict audio recording of lectures without the consent of the instructor, and some instructors have policies for their classes that prohibit recording, unless the student has a disability or some other special need that makes him unable to take written notes. It is difficult to get a clear, usable recording with the Zoom H4 if you are recording surreptitiously and must hide the recorder, and if you're discovered to be recording without authorization, you may face removal from the class. Ask permission to avoid these issues.
2. Choose a seat close to the lecturer. The audio gain of the built-in stereo condenser microphone on the H4 can be adjusted for optimal recording volume, but the microphone is uni-directional. Limit the extraneous noise from other students by sitting close, with a clear line-of-sight from the H4 to the lecturer.
3. Set the power switch on the Zoom H4 to "On." The "Mode" indicator will show if you are in stereo mode or 4-track mode. If the H4 is in 4-track mode, switch to stereo mode. Press the "Menu" button. Scroll to "Mode" using the jog dial. Press the jog dial down to select the "Mode Select" screen. Scroll to "Stereo Recorder" and press the jog dial. The "Mode" indicator will light.
4. Press the "Track" keys to choose the recording format. For voice recording, "Track Key 4," which records in 44.1 kHz MP3 format, is the best choice for quality and size. Press the "Menu" key. Press the "Rec" key. The H4 will go into record-standby mode and you can monitor the recording level on the on-screen level meters. If you have headphones or earbuds, you can monitor the sound directly to check the level. If the level is low, adjust the "Mic Gain" switch on the side of the unit. The switch can be set from low to high to amplify the incoming sounds from 6 to 30 decibels.
5. Press the "Rec" key. The recording will begin. The Zoom H4 can record for four hours on fully-charged batteries. When the lecture is over, press the "Rec" button again to end the recording, or depress the top of the "Menu" key.
Tags: 4-track mode, built-in stereo, built-in stereo condenser, condenser microphone, indicator will, mode 4-track