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Belkin's new GoStudio ups the ante in direct-to-iPod recording, offering high quality audio capture, multiple mic inputs, and even a tripod mount.

Podcasters, students, bloggers, and others have often encountered the difficulties of recording directly to an iPod: sure, there are third-party add-ons out there, but they usually sport cruddy condenser microphones that record more room noise than the material you actually want, and even though current iPods can, in theory, support decent recording quality, the results never seem to live up to expectations. Isn't there a simple way to record to an iPod using a decent mic, or is the only solution to carry around a notebook and some sort of USB or firewire interface?

Belkin's new Gostudio is designed to address those sorts of needs, offering a convenient way to capture high-quality audio directly to an iPod. The unit acts as a kind of portable iPod dock, and offers 16-bit, 44.1KHz recording, two combo microphone inputs that can accept either XLR or quarter-inch inputs (sorry, no phantom power), along with a 3.5mm mic input—or users can record via two integrated omnidirectional mics. Users can control their signal using a handy LED level indicator and a master level control; users can also play back audio on the GoStudio using its built-in speaker. The GoStudio offers a direct monitor volume control, along with a tripod mount for folks looking to record an event (say, a lecture or reading) from a fixed location.

The Belkin GoStudio will be available in September or October for a suggested price of $119.99.