I have an Olympus WS-331 and have been pretty happy with it for recording songs I'd like to learn from song circles. The sound quality is even quite decent. Mine only records in WMA (Windows Media), but the newer ones seem to record in mp3 or wma. The WS models all seem to have the direct USB plug-in feature: the recorder pulls apart to reveal the USB plug. Many of the mp3 players on the market have recording ability and some of the have the added capability to use memory cards.