I’ve always had a fascination with portable audio recorders. Back in my youth, I imagined buying a NAGRA recorder to capture ambient environmental sounds in different parts of the world. Later, when I needed a pocket-sized device for recording interviews at technology tradeshows, I bought a small microcassette recorder (a Sony BM-575). It was fine for interviews, but had too much hiss for anything else.

That’s why I was excited to try out the Edirol R-09. It weighs just six ounces and measures a scant 2 1/2 by 4 1/16 by 1 3/16 inches. Yet it can record stereo 24-bit 48kHz (or 44.1kHz) linear PCM audio, as well as make MP3 recordings up to 320 kbps. Because the recorded audio is digital, there’s essentially no hiss to mask the softer sounds. It has a built-in stereo microphone, is powered by two AA batteries (either alkaline or rechargeable), and stores its audio on a SD card.

I love it, except for the double-hinged door on the bottom that leads to the batteries and SD card. Not only is it a tricky to maneuver, it doesn’t feel substantial enough to withstand years of normal use.

Look for similar devices to be released soon by a variety of professional-audio and consumer-electronics companies.