Sony M-100MC Microcassette Recorder with Voice Operated Recording

The desktop microphone stand allows the recorder to be set down on a table or desk for hands-free operation. The voice-operated recording automatically activates the recorder only when audible sound is present, conserving tape and eliminating lengthy noiseless passages on recordings. The Clear Voice sound system enhances voice quality during recording and playback for greater clarity. The Cue Marker indexing feature lets you place an electronic "mark" at specific tape segments, and provides rapid access during cue and review. The fast playback feature plays tape 20 percent faster than normal speed and reduces the time needed to review recordings.

This unit will record up to 19 hours using just two AA batteries. The three-digit tape counter provides a digital display of tape elapsed for rapid access to a particular section of the tape during playback. The LED indicator visibly indicates recording level and condition of battery power in three segments.

The playback speaker is unobtrusive and lets you and others hear playback without an earphone. The automatic shut-off helps reduce mechanical wear and conserves battery power. The pause switch temporarily halts recording or playback without leaving that mode, and resumes at the flick of a button. The two-speed operation (1.2/2.4 centimeters per second) feature gives you the option of recording on a standard microcassette for twice its normal time, for extended dictation or recording sessions.

This unit also includes a cue/review function that provides sound during fast-forward and rewind modes to help find specific passages. The earphone jack provides individual listening to playback for privacy.

Another handy feature is the hinged battery lid, which helps prevent accidental loss or damage. The strap affords a very convenient one-hand use, similar to using a videocassette camera. A DC-in jack allows for two-way power operation, using replaceable batteries or an optional AC power adapter.

The lecture setting is good if you're in a class where the instructor just gives his spiel, and doesn't field that many student questions. Unfortunately, this setting features a bit more background white noise than the other two modes, so it's best to have this device within a close proximity to the subject doing the lecturing, about seven feet or less. It's also best to have a clear line-of-sight from the microphone to the speaker, without any obstructions in the way.

I've found the meeting setting to be the best for classes where student views and participation is encouraged. It doesn't have quite as much background noise as the lecture setting, but it also doesn't quite have the recording range, either. I try to get the player about five feet away or closer from the instructor when I set it to the meeting mode.

The dictation setting's perfect for those times I've got a few thoughts and words off the top of my head regarding a product offered on Amazon I'm going to review (like this one, f'rinstance). It's an especially good thing to have when you come up with a thought or idea, and you want to record it before it disappears on you. You know, like when you walk to another room in your house to get a particular thing, but when you get there, you've forgotten the reason why you went there in the first place. This setting offers the least background noise, but unfortunately it also has the shortest recording range, which doesn't make it a very good mode for recording my class instructors' lectures. But for some reason it records my voice a bit deeper than it actually is. I listen to the playback of my spoken thoughts, and I end up sounding a little like Mister Sulu from classic Star Trek. Oh my!

PROS:
I've discovered that the playback is a bit clearer sounding if you listen to it through earphones. I would, however, recommend you listen to it through a comfy pair of headphones, rather than the earbud that's included with the machine. You can even listen to whatever you're recording through the player itself as it's taping, and you'll have some idea of what the tape will end up sounding like, background noise and all. Also, don't put the earbud too close to the mike, or you'll cause some uncomfortably high-pitched feedback!

I'm always losing the battery covers to my little electronic gadgets, so I was happy to see that the battery cover slides open, and stays attached to the player.

The foam wind guard seen in the product picture is an attachment that can be removed or added if needed or desired. I found this add-on a bit funny-looking, and I'm happy to see that it's not permanently mounted to the player.

CONS:
I'm not too hip with the cue/review (aka fast-forward/rewind) feature. Both selections are on either end of a three-way slide switch, rather than push-down buttons like the play, record, and stop/eject buttons. Also, when the tape reaches the end (or beginning), the switch doesn't automatically click off; you've got to slide it to `off' yourself.

I've also discovered that the voice-only recording feature isn't as sensitive as it should be. It doesn't need the subject to be very loud when it's activated and recording, but a fairly high decibel level is required for the VOR to re-activate and resume taping. Unfortunately, I've found this to be the case with every other minitaper that has this feature, so it's not like this particular model is a unique case.

A Con that became sort of a Pro:
I haven't found the fast-playback feature to be all that useful. It plays back my lecture recordings a bit too quickly for me to comprehend what's being said. It does have one good point, though: if you want to fast-forward or rewind your tape a little faster, click the fast-playback switch on (along with the 2.4 cm tape speed setting) and it'll get to the end or beginning a bit sooner than with the rewind/review switch by itself.

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