Fragment of early recording instrument (4)
I believe the answer is:
lyre
'instrument' is the definition.
(lyre is a kind of instrument)
'fragment of early recording' is the wordplay.
'fragment of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'LYRE' can be found hidden inside 'early recording'.
(Other definitions for lyre that I've seen before include "Ancient Greek stringed instrument" , "Plucked instrument" , "Sort of harp" , "Old instrument, like a harp" , "used to produce music" .)