M-100MC Microcassette Tape Recorder

 

If you've owned a microcassette recorder before, you probably know that audio quality can be finicky. Background noise can obscure the speaker depending on where they are in relation to the device and whether or not they are facing the microphone.

You'll never be able to completely control the environment you're recording in, but the Sony M-100MC Microcassette Tape Recorder gives you some options to improve the audio quality.

The device – which is about the size of a flattened avocado – is a recorder and microphone in one that has a retractable mini-tripod so it can sit on a flat surface so that its business end is pointed toward your subject.

It has three recording modes: lecture, meeting and dictation. Each changes the way the device processes sound. The "dictation" mode is for when you will be speaking directly into the device, while the "meeting" mode captures the audio all around the bulbous head of the microphone. The "lecture" mode is designed to record the speaker if they are at a distance from the microphone. This makes your recordings sound like they were made deep inside a cave during a spelunking expedition. However in some informal tests, these features seem to make recordings somewhat cleaner, though the claim of "clear voice" – printed on the device's side – is a little optimistic. It should read "clear voice if someone is not opening a bag of chips nearby." I guess there was no room for that.

The device also has a series of other useful features including cue marker, to bookmark spots on the tape and a voice-activated recording mode, which only starts the device when it senses sound. The latter feature results in clipped recordings. If someone says "my dog has fleas", the device records "I dog has fleas".

The other annoyance on this device is its buttons. They're stiff and unyielding. You really have to apply some finger power to depress them.

Over all the M-100MC offers competent voice recording. It's one of recorders that is a little flashier than you're average vanilla recording gizmo. Frankly, the key features for me are the tripod and the above average microphone size which has a foam wind baffle.

Details
Reviewed: May. 05, 2003
Type: PersonalTech, Productivity
From: Sony


Pictures
 

Your Opinion
Have you used this product?
Yes. It was Excellent.
Yes. It was Ok.
Yes. It was Awful.

Search