For those desiring a few more features and the ability to record audio directly to a CD-R/RW desktop size portable digital audio recorders make a great investment.  Excellent for the classroom or for the home recording studio these digital audio recorders allow the user to either record using the built in microphones or through their own external mics connected via XLR jacks.

	Roland CD2e	Tascam BB-1000CD	Marantz CDR420
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Ease of Use
Read MEdM Review	Read Review	Read Review	Coming Soon
Recording channels	2	4
Multiple Pickup Patterns	No	Yes, multiple configurations
Best WAV Recording Formats	16 bit/ 44.1 kHz	16 bit/ 44.1 kHz
Best MP3 Recording Format	N/A	192 kbps/ 44.1kHz
Mic setup/coincident pair/etc.	2 on top	2 front / 2 back
Internal Speaker	Yes	Yes / 10 watt stereo
External Inputs/ Line Level/ Mic Level/ XLR/ Phone	1/4inch phono mic	XLR x 2 / stereo RCA x1
Phantom Power for External Mics	No	Yes
USB Connectivity	No	No
Integrated Tuner/Metronome	Tuner/Metronome	Tuner/Metronome
Software Included	None	None
Memory/Type	512 MB SD Card	None provided / accepts SD/SDHC cards or CD-R/RW
Maximum Memory	8GB SD or SDHC compatible	2GB SD or up to 32GB SDHC
Windscreen	No	No
Batteries/Supplied	AA x 6 / Not provided	AA x 8 / not provided
External Power Connector/Supplied	Yes / provided	Yes / provided
Plug and Play?	No	N/A
LCD Backlight	Yes	Yes
Variable Pitch Control	Yes	Yes
Variable Speed Playback	Yes	Yes
Other included accessories	Wireless remote control	wireless remote control