In a world of CDs, DVDs, and digital recorders, why would anyone want to go back to tape recorders? Well, after trying out the
RCA RP5012 Handheld Voice Recorder, my friend and I decided against digital voice recorders. Analog seems much less "unreal", since it does not rely on any compression algorithm to squeeze down data size, causing audio artifacting.
Of course, we aren't exactly going for studio quality recordings. Just something that would not only record voices that are not exactly in front of the mic, as well as not introduce audio artifacting where the source is a bit far for optimal recording, or relevent background noises (radio, speaker, other people's reaction, etc). The RCA digital recorder kept screwing up on these sources, but record up-close speaking just fine. Still not acceptable.
I am a bit surprised at the quality difference between a microcassette and a standard-sized audio cassette. There is much more background hissing noise. This might be due to the motor or the speaker of the Pearlcorder S713. Either way, it's sound quality is still worlds away from the RCA digital recorder.
Featurette
The Olympus Pearlcorder S713 is pretty much a standard fare microcasette recorder. It takes 2 AA batteries, which lasts 3+ hours of recording, and still have power left to have another hour of playback.
Stop, Play, and Record buttons are mechanical push-buttons, while the rewind and fast forward is a mechanical slider. If you are playing, using the FWD or REW slider just review or plays really fast. There is also a switch for pausing the tape drive, which is like a switch for the motor, since it still affects the rewinds and fast forwards.
The mechanical tape counter is actually accurate, as I have countlessly used it to pinpoint where I stopped recording and where I have begun.
The microphone picks up well, and is omnidirectional. There is a simple volume knob to control...well...the volume. And in the same area, a mic jack, earphone jack, and a red LED that lights up when recording.
The earphone and mic jacks are not the standard minijacks that most walkmans and portable audio uses. They are actually smaller than the standard jacks, and may require you to purchase an adapter to work with your existing headphones and mics. Because of this, I was not able to evaluate the sound quality that is independent of the built-in mic and speaker.
There is one switch that switches Voice Activated Recording on and off. The same switch will turn on and off a feature that will play the tape back 25% faster (only during playback - will not affect the speed during recording). This will let you get thru a tape faster if you just want to get the spoken lecture quicker (esp. if you are transcribing it).
In the same area as the VAR switch, there is also a switch to switch between 2.4x and 1.2x speeds. At 1.2x, you can record an hour on one side of the cassette, allowing you a total of 2 hours total using both sides. At 2.4x, the sound quality is much better, as you can hear much more of the higher frequencies (background noise that may or may not be relevent to the user), but you can only fit 30 minutes on one side, giving you an hour of recording using both sides total.
I find that recording at 1.2x is sufficent for most up-close lectures or note taking. However, if your speaker is not in front of the built-in mic, you should record at 2.4x to ensure that you are able to record higher frequencies (record further physically). Effectively, if you are up close, recording at 1.2x will have less hiss and background noise. But it will sound a bit muffled compared to 2.4x.
Lastly, there is also a port for an external power supply so you do not need to use up batteries when you are dubbing or transcribing. It takes a 3v DC source which you can purchase anywhere, as Walgreens even sell universal power supplies.
Not exactly the unit itself, but still part of the package, is a pamphlet-like manual that has several languages (including English, Spanish, and French), 3 Olympus XB60 microcassettes, and a pair of Duracell AA batteries. This makes it a great value, as it cost as much as other microcassette recorders that does not include much (maybe batteries, but no tape, or just one tape).
And?
And I do recommend it over digital recorders! It certainly feels flimsy and cheap, but it deters from being stolen in public places, and despite the flimsy feel, it has lasted thru lots of abuse.
A++ - pick it up if you are shopping for a recorder for spy use, note taking, or just plain forgetful like me.
