recorders

Recorders may refer to two broad categories: a family of woodwind instruments called the recorder, and devices that record sound, video, or data.

The recorder is a duct flute with a fipple mouthpiece. Air blown into the instrument is directed against a fixed edge, creating a tone when the finger holes are opened or closed. Recorders are typically made of wood or plastic and come in several sizes, from sopranino and soprano (descant) to alto (treble), tenor, bass, and larger bass varieties. They employ a simple, compact design and are played by covering the holes with the fingers of both hands.

Historically, recorders were central to medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. Their popularity declined in the 18th century but surged again in the 20th century with the revival of early music. Today they are used in professional ensembles, educational settings, and community groups, valued for their approachable technique and distinctive, warm tone.

As recording devices, audio recorders capture sound for music production or field recording, while data recorders log measurements for engineering, scientific research, and safety systems. In specialized contexts, flight data recorders and other event recorders collect operational information for analysis after incidents or for real-time monitoring. Modern recorders typically store data on digital media and connect to computers or networks for transfer and processing.