Micro-28 Recorder (140-1177) Operation Faxback Doc. # 18194 LOADING A MICROCASSETTE TAPE NOTE: We recommend MC-60 microcassette tapes (Cat. No. 44-640) for up to two hours of recording/playback time (at half the normal speed), or MC-90 microcassette tapes (Cat. No. 44-644) for up to three hours of recording/playback time (at half the normal speed). Follow these steps to load a microcassette tape. 1. Use a pencil to turn the cassette's hub and remove any tape slack. Avoid touching the tape. 2. Press stop/eject to open the cassette compartment door. 3. Insert the microcassette into the door's guides so the microcassette's open edge faces up. Note: An arrow on the cassette compartment door indicates tape travel direction. Be sure the tape's full reel is in the opposite direction from the arrow. 4. Close the compartment door. RECORDING When you use the VOX feature, the VOLUME setting determines the sound level that activates the VOX circuit and starts recording. At higher settings, a softer sound starts VOX recording. At lower settings, a louder sound is required to start VOX recording. Use a low VOLUME setting in a high-noise environment such as in a plane or automobile. NOTE: You can monitor the sound level by connecting the supplied earphone to the EAR jack. See "Using the Earphone," below. Follow these steps to record. 1. Load the microcassette tape. 2. Set TAPE SPEED as follows: To double the tape's recording/playback time, set TAPE SPEED to 1.2. This setting allows 120 minutes total recording/playback time on an MC-60 tape or 180 minutes on an MC-90 tape. For better sound quality, set TAPE SPEED to 2.4. This setting allows 60 minutes total recording/playback time on an MC-60 tape or 90 minutes on an MC-90 tape. 3. Set VOX/PLAY as follows: To manually start and stop recording, set VOX/PLAY to OUT/NORMAL. To use voice-actuated recording, set VOX/PLAY to IN/FAST. NOTE: The voice-actuation feature saves power and tape if there are long or frequent pauses in the material or presentation you are recording. 4. Press record (the round key) to begin recording. The record key and the play key (>) both lock down and the REC/BATT indicator lights. If VOX/PLAY is set to OUT/NORMAL, recording begins. If VOX/PLAY is set to IN/FAST, recording begins only when the recorder picks up sound. CAUTIONS: Do not force down the record key. If you cannot easily press record, check the microcassette tape's erase- protection tabs (see "Preventing Accidental Erasure," Faxback Doc.# 18195, Hints and Tips). To protect the recorder, press the record key only when a microcassette tape is loaded. NOTE: To momentarily stop the recorder, set PAUSE to IN. To resume operation, set PAUSE to OUT. 5. Press stop/eject to stop the tape. NOTE: To record on the other side of the tape, unload the microcassette tape, turn it over, and reload it. USING THE INDEX MARKER To mark the beginning of a recording, press INDEX MARKER during recording. A low-pitched tone sounds when the tape reaches the index marker during review (see "Using Fast-Forward/Cue and Rewind/Review," below). Using Noise Cut Set NOISE CUT to IN to reduce the amount of background noise that records on the tape. To return to normal recording, set NOISE CUT to OUT. NOTE: NOISE CUT has no effect during tape playback. Using an External Microphone You can use an external microphone to make high-quality recordings. Insert a microphone with a 1/8-inch plug into the Micro-28's MIC jack. Your local Radio Shack store has a wide selection of microphones. PLAYING A TAPE 1. Load the microcassette tape. 2. Set TAPE SPEED to the speed used when the tape was recorded. 3. Set VOX/PLAY to OUT/NORMAL to listen to the tape at normal speed. If you want to listen to the tape at about 30% faster than normal, set VOX/PLAY to IN/FAST. 4. Press >. 5. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. 6. Press stop/eject to stop playback. NOTE: To play the other side of the tape, unload the microcassette tape, turn it over, and reload it. USING FAST-FORWARD/CUE AND REWIND/REVIEW Press >> to fast-forward/cue a tape. Press << to rapidly rewind/review a tape. If you press >> or << during playback, you can hear the tape at a faster speed as it cues or reviews the tape. When you release the button, the recorder resumes normal playback. NOTE: When you are reviewing a tape, a low-pitched tone sounds when the tape reaches any index marks (see "Using the Index Marker," below). If you press >> or << when the tape is stopped, the button locks down. The tape fast-forwards or rewinds until you press stop/eject or the tape reaches the end. QUICK RECORD During the playback, simply press the record key to go directly to the record mode without pressing stop/eject first. USING THE TAPE COUNTER You can use the tape counter to mark locations of specific sections of tape so you can easily return to them. Press the reset button to set the counter to 000 at the beginning of a tape. As the tape plays or records, note the counter reading at the position(s) where you want to return. AUTO SHUT-OFF When the tape reaches the end during recording or playback, the recorder automatically stops. NOTES: When the tape reaches the end during fast-forward and rewind, you must press stop/eject to stop the recorder. Although the Micro-28's auto shut-off feature stops the tape and turns the recorder off when the tape reaches the end during recording and playback, the tape-handling parts continue to touch the tape until you press stop/eject. We recommend you press stop/eject as soon as you finish recording or playing a tape to release it from the tape-handling parts. This reduces the possibility of the tape being inadvertently tangled or damaged. USING THE EARPHONE Follow these steps to use the supplied earphone to listen to a recording in privacy. NOTE: You can also use an earphone to monitor a recording and check the microphone's sensitivity. 1. Set VOLUME to its lowest level. 2. Plug the earphone's plug into the recorder's EAR jack. The built-in speaker automatically disconnects. 3. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. Listening Safely To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use an earphone. Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable level. Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss. Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing. Traffic Safety Do not wear the earphone while operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic hazard and is illegal in some areas. Even though some earphones are designed to let you hear outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard. (CS 10/25/95)