recorder

Recorder denotes two principal meanings: a woodwind instrument in the fipple flute family, and a device used to capture sound or images. In music, the recorder is a family of end-blown wind instruments with a fipple mouthpiece and a row of finger holes. In recording technology, a recorder stores audio or video data for later playback.

Recorders are typically made of wood or plastic. Sound is produced when air blown into the fipple is directed against a sharp edge, creating a vibrating air column. Pitch changes are achieved by covering holes along the front and sometimes the back, with a thumb hole for octave control. The common soprano is pitched in C, and sizes range from sopranino to great bass; Renaissance and Baroque models differ in bore, fingerings, and keying systems. Modern instruments often exist in multiple replicas to fit early music performance as well as contemporary recordings. Recorders are widely used in education for beginners due to their simple design and clear tone, and they appear in ensembles focused on early music.

Audio recorders include digital voice recorders and portable devices that store uncompressed or compressed sound. Video recorders capture moving images, from consumer camcorders to professional gear, using formats such as MP4 or AVCHD. History traces from mechanical and phonograph devices to magnetic tape and, since the late 20th century, to digital storage. In transport and aviation, data recorders log operational information for safety and analysis. Modern recorders emphasize portability, storage capacity, and multimedia compatibility, with features like multi-track capture, metadata tagging, and wireless interfaces.