WAV Recorders Roundup

Last updated on August 1, 2024 by , Posted to record audio

wav recorders roundup

Recording in WAV format is rarely used today. Dictaphones and recorders typically try to save memory and combine low sample rate recording with strong lossy compression. For everyday use, this is perfectly justified. Before we continue, let's define some terms - by WAV format we now mean uncompressed audio data in PCM format. We know that the WAV container can also contain compressed data, but that is not the point of this article.

1 WAV Recorder: Pros & Cons

So why is the uncompressed WAV format so unpopular? Obviously because of its size. In order to store high-resolution audio recordings, codecs with lossless compression codecs have been invented that cut the file size in half.

However, there are two good reasons for recording in WAV format.

The first reason is that you need the maximum quality of the audio recording for subsequent processing. In this case, even lossless compression seems to be seems unnecessary - after all, the Sound Editor only works with uncompressed samples.

The second reason is that you need to preserve weak background sounds, which classic voice recorders, on the contrary, try to get rid of. This may be required during legal proceedings. Such raw recording may be admitted as evidence.

2 Native Windows Recorder

The first WAV recorder appeared with Windows, although its functionality was so limited that few people dared to use it. Years have passed, the recorder in Windows 11 has changed a bunch of versions, but has not acquired the necessary functions that have long been available in commercial applications. In fact, only a couple of audio formats and a recording sharing function have been added.


basic wav recorder

It is difficult for me to leave a list of its shortcomings, since there is nothing to evaluate here. This is just an analogue of a text Notepad.

3 Improved Alternative

One of the oldest recorders, Audio Recorder Plus, which appeared more than 20 years ago, can offer a little more possibilities. There is already auto-stop and auto-split of audio recordings. The recording level is easy to control using old-school arrow VU-meters. There is a voice activity detector. Overall, it is very similar to Piezo for MacOS.


improved wav recorder

What are its disadvantages? Management of audio recordings is completely absent here. Accordingly, audio recordings cannot be edited, renamed, or a text commentary added to them. There is no built-in scheduler, and when using an external one, it is impossible to control the recording process. In addition, this recorder is not well suited for Windows 10 in 11.

4 Maximum possibilities

i-Sound Recorder is the most advanced solution in this review. In addition to advanced functionality, it can also offer unique features that are not available in alternative implementations.

This WAV recorder allows you to automate many tasks, eliminating the need for you to control everything yourself. The recording scheduler will help you record the necessary program in your absence. Automatic gain control - ensures that the volume is within optimal limits. Voice activation allows you to turn off or pause recording during silence.


full-featured WAV recorder

The rest of the features will not disappoint you either - you can edit recording metadata, as well as the recordings themselves, using the built-in editor. If you record music from a streaming service, the recognition system can identify the artist and even download the album cover.

The main drawback of this application is that it is paid. Audio recordings are not stored in the database, but are saved in a folder of your choice. Although working with them is done through a convenient manager. The interface is convenient on regular screens, but is too small for High-DPI displays.

5 Conclusion

As you can see, there are many options for recording in the WAV format. I have listed the reasons for choosing this particular format, as well as counterarguments. Finally, I would like to dispel one popular myth that WAV is the only format with bit precision and it sounds better than lossless compression formats. This is not true, you can check this in any sound editor.


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