Podcasting is the emerging smarter on-demand broadcasting paradigm emerging from the blogosphere.

How do you do it?

You simply make an audio recording of an interview, a new track you are working on, a radio show you want to broadcast on the Internet and then you convert into an MP3 file.

Next, you make this available as part of an RSS feed, so that your readers (and listeners) can subscribe to your audio content and anytime you "publish" some new audio it is automatically downloaded to their personal RSS reader.

The magic of integrating audio files into RSS feeds is achieved in a way that would appear to non-geeks similar to attaching documents to email. In RSS technical lingo this ability is called "enclosures". Read more about it here.

Finally, with a small piece of software you can have your personal computer automatically download your favourite RSS-based audio subscriptions to your personal media/MP3 player. (This can be done also on PCs and with most any type of MP3 player out there).

This is what podcasting is all about.

It allows listeners to receive all of their preferred audio streams, be they music, radio shows or interviews automatically inside their MP3 player while freeing them from having to listen to the audio when it is first published. Listeners can playback their downloaded podcasts at their preferred time and keep them in their audio library for future enjoyment.

So, if you are a would-be Internet broadcaster, a former radio-showman or news reporter how do you go about getting good audio on the go that is ready to be uploaded to your site or RSS feed?

The Edirol R1 is a new fascinating portable audio recorder, that packs digital quality, power, storage space and performance in less than 210 grams.

This highly portable digital recording unit is a dream-come-true for the passionate audiophile. The Edirol R1 allows direct, one-button stereo recording both via its two omni-directional electret stereo built-in microphones as well as from external mikes and standard line inputs.

The Edirol R1 can record directly in .WAV or .MP3 file formats providing the best possible options for achieving either top audio quality recordings, or -ready-made compressed file for online distribution. Note in fact, that internal file conversion inside the Edirol R1 is not possible.

The Edirol R1, contains no mechanical moving parts and its entirely a solid state unit. This makes this portable recorder absolutely noiseless and a pleasure to work with.

The R-1 goes beyond what other tools in this emerging niche industry offer by integrating a "pro-quality" internal effects processor which integrates the following functions:

1. Easy EQ (audio equalizer 11 presets)
2. audio filter for Speech
3. Voice Perform
4. Editable EQ (10 Band EQ : 32/64/125/250/500/1k/2k/4k/8k/16k Hz)
5. Noise Reducer
6. Hum Noise Cut
7. Reverb
8. Int-Mic Rec. (Mic Simulator Optimized for Built-in Mic)
9. Ext-Mic Rec. (Mic Simulator for External Mic)
10. Mastering
11. Center Cancel
12. Instrument tuner
13. Metronome

Also integrated in the R-1 is a full instrument tuner and metronome functions, making it also an excellent portable music-practice tool.

The Edirol R1 connects to the external world via a USB 2.0 port. Through this port it is easy to download recordings from the unit into your personal computer.

A touch of class to be noted is the R-1's headphone jack doubling as an S/PDIF optical out, which allows direct audio output/streaming to digital equipment such as digital speakers or DAT/CD/MD recorders.

The Edirol comes with 64 MB of base memory which can be expanded to either 512 MB or 2 GB of total memory. When recording to MP3 at 64 Kbps quality bitrate the Edirol can store up to 2 hours and 10 minutes of audio on its base 64MB. These may start to be limiting when you want to record at higher quality settings (96, 128, 160, 192, 256, 320 Kbps). With 2 GB of memory loaded and the maximum bitrate setting the Edirol is capable of recording almost 14 hours of uninterrupted audio. With the lowest setting the Edirol can store up to 70 hours of MP3 audio doubling up as a very sophisticated and professional alternative to the non-recording Apple iPod. (More info on Edirol R1 recording times here.)

The R-1 runs on two standard AA-sized batteries or from the included AC adaptor.

Sample Recordings

Here are some sample recordings created with the Edirol R1 allowing you to directly appreciate how good is indeed the quality of this unit while using its built-in microphones:

Guitar
original 24-bit/44.1Hz file - 16MB

downsized to 160kps MP3 - 1.2MB

Distance between R-1 and Guitar : 40 cm (15 inches)

Sax
original 24-bit/44.1Hz file - 16MB

downsized to 160kps MP3 - 1.2MB

Distance between R-1 and Sax : 80 cm (30 inches)
Note: The original recordings at 24-bit/44.1 will not play in Windows Media Player. They are included here for those that want to "look" at the original recording with a wave player or editing application that can handle 24-bit wave files.

Main Specifications Edirol R1

Audio Input/Output

Input

• Internal Microphone (stereo)


• Stereo Microphone


• (1/8" phone jack : plug-in powered compatible type)

Output

• 1/8" stereo phone jack,


• Headphones (1/8" stereo phone jack),


• S/PDIF 1/8" phone optical type (same port as Headphones)

Recorder/Player
2 Tracks (1 stereo track) Recording data format WAV, MP3

Storage
CompactFlash(tm) card Up to 2 GB capacity
Signal Processing
AD/DA conversion 24 bit / 44.1 kHz

Power Supply
AC adaptor (included) or Battery Rechargeable Ni-MH AA x 2 or Alkaline AA x 2.
Battery life

Playback time:
approximate 6 hours,

Recording time:
approximate 2.5 hours

Dimensions
99.25 (W) x 134 (D) x 30.2 (H) mm / 3-15/16 (W) x 5-5/16 (D) x 1-3/16 (H) inches

Weight
205 g / 8 oz
(excluding memory card and batteries)

Price in the US: List price USD $ 549 (Jake Ludington points to a special offer, saving you $ 110 and available at Kelly Music and Computers)

Price in Europe: EU 459

Suggested reading:
How-To: Podcasting (aka How to get Podcasts and also make your own)

An excellent alternative to Edirol:
iRiver H340