This one falls into the no-brainer category: an idea catcher that costs less than 50 bucks? That’s just what the TASCAM PR-10 is! This pocket-sized recorder has a pocket-change price, yet provides stereo 24-bit/48kHz resolution for professional sounding results. Use it to capture song ideas, to document rehearsals and gigs, as an audio notepad, for capturing lyrics and melodies before they drift away, and much more!

Plus, the PR-10 is small enough to toss in a guitar case or any gig bag so you can always have it with you, ready to record. It even has a built-in speaker for quickly monitoring what you’ve recorded.