Ed,

Thanks for asking about recording your voice.

I just happen to have a Hotsheet on recording audio. It's called "How To Make An Audio CD" and it goes hand-in-hand with Gordon's hotsheet "How to Profit From Guerrilla Audio Programs" both of which are available at HotsheetCity - http://www.hotsheetcity.com (Do yourself a favor and pick both of them up.)

Now to your question...

One thing Digital Voice Recorders (DVR) can have a problem with is Sibilance - where there is a Distortion around the letters s, sh, ch, z, j - and it is there regardless of whether you use the built in mic or plug in your own mic.

So before getting a DVR, check it out for Sibilance. Don't rely on online reviews... test the thing in the store. (You can always use an old fashioned micro cassette recorder and still get the audio into your computer.) [I use a Sony MiniDsc for mobile recording and it has no distortion. More pricey than most DVRs but I feel the end result is worth it. Plus, I can use the Discs as 1 gig storage devices]

If you want a lapel mic, just about any will do - make sure it is omnidirectional to be sure to pick up your voice. Omnidirectional mics have a Round Head instead of a flat head.

You'll need software to get the recording into your computer. My hotsheet lists several good softwares that are free besides Audacity audacity.sourceforge.net. And regardless of stereo or not, the software can make it mono. And depending on how you get the audio into the computer, it will be mono anyway.

Hope this helps,

Michael Ross