Perfect little app for podcasters - temp 2 stars until issue is fixed

This app is the perfect app for recording podcasts.

For the person who asked why iTunes plays after: iTunes is what you played the audio file in, so when that file is done, itunes will look for the next file to play.
This is not an issue with Just Press Record.

For the person who asked about Playing recordings:
It would be especially useful to have a guest use remotely due to its ease of use combined with its visual feedback.

Ive looked at a small number of apps like this on the app store, and this is the only one that gets it all right.

- It displays the name of the mic during recordig - useful for catching "built in mic" when what you wanted was "USB ____"
- There is a small meter to show how loud you are during recording - useful for confirming your mic isnt on mute.
- During recording, it counts the time and spins a graphic - useful for actually knowing you are recording.
- During recording the menu bar icon turns from black to red
- It can save to either compressed or uncompressed audio
- You can specify the default save location (ie such as dropbox)
- Its super easy to find your files (there is a Recordings > button that opens finder to the folder where your recordings are)
- There is no pause, only start and stop, and thats a good thing which Ill explain later...

These really are the core things you want if youre recording a podcast.

Based on the prices of other quick record tools. I think this tool fits the sweet spot: it has all the functionality you want/need, is still simple to operate (or tell someone else how to operate) and at $5 doesnt break the bank.

By comparison, heres what I found from the competition I tried:
- Most did not show what mic was being used.
- Many did not have the option to save in lossless.
- Almost all did not show the volume level as I was recording.
- Several had minimal feedback that the program was actually recording.
- One had nagware telling you what other products the company made.

Ok hopefully the comparison helps in your decision process!


I said Id explain my thoughts on why you dont want pause in a recording app (at least for podcasting)

Often in podcasting, youd have each host of the show record locally.
if there are 3 hosts, thats 3 sepearate recordings.
Someone will mix these together so it sounds like all 3 were in the same studio, when in reality they might have been in different locations, talking over something like skype.
Mixing 3 audio files together isnt bad if the files are all the same length.
Not having pause helps with that- Lots and lots.
I cant tell you how much of a pain it would be to mix 3 audio files if one was 15 minutes shorter than the others - it can be done, but your production costs/time just doubled, maybe trippled.
One more good reason not to have Pause: Its one less mistake a person can make "Oh I thought I was recording, but I had it on pause still" Nope, eliminate the option, and eliminate that mistake.

Ive not talked with the developer, but I feel like this one gets it and understands whats needed in an app like this.

5 Stars

Update 10-13-2015
I emailed the developers about a bug I found - if you set a custom location for your recordings, it doesnt seem to save that correctly, and the next time you use the app, it will not record until you go into settings and re-pick your recording location.

Update 11-7-2015 - the issue I reported still isnt fixed.
I will update the review once this issue is resolved, in the mean time I have lowered my rating to 2 stars.

Basementjack about Just Press Record