The best way to capture audio from around the room is to use a Digital Conference Microphone Kit with a digital voice recorder. These solutions allow you to record every sound and listen to them back in high quality stereo sound. The recorded audio can be downloaded to a pc to be shared, edited, and stored electronically. These kits are frequently used in boardroom, courtrooms, town hall, city council and school board meetings where you need to pick up audio from around a large room with multiple speakers. One of the best solutions on the market today is the Olympus ME-30W Stereo Conference Kit (ME30W).

The kit includes two right and left channel omnidirectional microphones. Each omnidirectional microphone features an 8.2 ft. Y-cable (total length of 16.4 ft.) so you can record audio from multiple directions to ensure coverage. The carrying case is designed to carry all of the components in slots to secure and protect the items while providing an easy way to transport the system. In the picture provided the DS-40 digital recorder is placed in the center slot, a compatible digital voice recorder is NOT provided in the package, you have to purchase the digital recorder separately.

The ME30 2-channel Professional Microphone Kit is compatible with the Olympus DS-50, DS-40, and DS-30 Digital Voice Recorders. The recorders provide crystal clear sound recording in High Quality Stereo mode. The recorded audio is saved in Windows Media Audio (WMA) file format. Because the files are WMA format, no special software is required to listen to the recordings, you can email or send the recordings to clients, colleges, customers, etc and they can play the files through their Windows Media Player.

The Olympus DS-50, DS-40 and DS-30 are essentially the same recorder with different storage capacitates from 256MB to 1GB. The DS-50 which has 1G built-in flash memory is also packaged with a remote control that allows you to control recording and stop functions. 

If you are worried about battery life, the Olympus DS-50, DM-10, DM-20 can all be use with the A321 Power adapter. However, average battery life for recording is approximately 32 hours for the DS-50 & DS-40 and 16 hours for the DM-20 & DM10 which is generally sufficient time. 

Should you desire to transcribe the recorded files, Olympus offers two compatible transcription kits. The transcription kits include the DSS Player software and a computer foot pedal to facilitate transcription via the pc.
 

An alternate but great option for recording conferences, meeting, and lecturers that are held in a smaller setting is the Edirol R-09, recently nominated for Outstanding Technology of the Year Award from the International Academy of Science, the R09 offers superb record clarity and quality.

With the R-09 you can record and play back in MP3 format and it has a high quality stereo microphone is built right into the unit, complete with a dedicated input control. Combine the R-09 with the CS-15 Boom Microphone (Bundled with the microphone are a desktop stand, a hand-held mount, and a windscreen) and the OP-R09C Stand and you have a great conference, lecture and field recording system.