The Yamaha Pocketrak 2G is one of the smallest high-quality portable audio recorders we've seen, but its high price and scarce features make it hard to recommend over the competition.
The top quarter-inch of the Pocketrak 2G houses the built-in stereo microphone (shown here, head-on). The microphone is hinged to the main body of the Pocketrak 2G, allowing it to be angled up for better tabletop recordings.
The Pocketrak 2G's slim frame requires small buttons. We would have preferred to see the Pocketrak 2G's menu, play, and skip keys enlarged and placed on the front of the player. Instead, the location of the buttons makes it hard to distinguish between them while looking at the screen.
The Pocketrak 2G's black, slim design is perfect for stealth recording of concerts or conversations. An included leather case (not shown) includes a belt clip as well.
The Pocketrak 2G is extremely light when compared with its competition. The only thing keeping the Pocketrak 2G from floating into the air is the single AAA battery used to power it.
We used to think the Edirol R-09 was the smallest high-end portable audio recorder in town, but the Pocketrak 2G has it beat by a mile. The Yamaha Pocketrak 2G is half as wide and nearly one-third as thick as the latest Edirol R-09HR (right).
The Pocketrak 2G comes complete with earbuds, a leather case, tripod adapter, and USB extension cable. Not pictured are the included AAA rechargeable battery and Cubase AI software disc.
The Pocketrak 2G's lightweight, pocket-size design makes it ideal for capturing broadcast quality interviews, but its high price is tough to justify compared with budget-priced monophonic recorders.
One of the Pocketrak 2G's most unique features is a built-in USB stick, hidden behind a trap door at the bottom of the player, allowing cable-free transfers of your recordings to your computer and a chance to recharge the included battery.
