It is technically possible to copy the database file (NBNData.MDF) to a backup device, but this would require you 'detach' the database, then copy it, then 're-attach' it to the server. So it's actually easier to use Recorder 6's built-in backup procedure.
You can, however, run the same backup procedure that is found in Recorder outside of Recorder. What we do here is have the backup running on a schedule (scheduled backups are a feature of the full SQL Server, but it's also possible to run a scheduled backup using a batch file or script on MSDE or SQL Server Express) which does a backup of the database to a location on the network that subsequently gets backed-up onto tape in our nightly run. You could do something similar that backs-up onto a memory stick or external drive on demand. The principles involved are just the same.
Here are a few of articles that might help:
http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1174
http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1083
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q325003#12
Charles Roper
Digital Development Manager | Field Studies Council
http://www.field-studies-council.org | https://twitter.com/charlesroper | https://twitter.com/fsc_digital