We have dealt with microcassettes on occasion and use a portable Sears (!) machine that came with one collection - as Brenda says, not for recording but just for playback when needed, and with a headphone jack and a small internal speaker. We did find that there are at least two sizes of cassette housing - only very slightly different, but one has an additional ridge along one side that prevents it from fitting the machine we have. Fortunately, we do not have to deal with this format too often and have not sought different equipment.
Sue
Susan T Stinson, Curator Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive Syracuse University Library 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 315-443-3477 / fax 443-4866
>>> richard.warren@xxxxxxxx 1/11/2007 11:11 AM >>> Hi Brenda and ARSC folks,
At HSR we have a Panasonic RR-830 STANDARD audiocassette machine with VSC, and I remember when buying it that there was a similar model for microcassettes. These models have VSC standard and are stand-alone with amp, speaker, and headphone out, handy and small for reviewing. I think there may also have been footpedal controls available but am not certain. I have no idea about current availability, but there could be used units around.
Best wishes, Richard
At 10:46 AM 1/11/2007, you wrote: >We've begun to receive some interviews on microcassettes, so I'm looking >for advice on playback machines. Our immediate goal is to review the >material on the microcassettes for content and sound quality and make a >serviceable reference copy. As far as I can tell, most machines do not >have an output, other than a headphone jack. We do not foresee using the >playback machine for either recording or transcribing; however, if the >transcription machines offer better quality sound and have an output, >then perhaps that is what we should consider. > > > >Just as an FYI, I've already spoken to Richard Hess about his process >for transferring microcassettes, and certainly for long term >preservation we will consider other options. But at the moment, we just >need to be able to evaluate the content. > > > >Thanks- > >Brenda > > > >Brenda Nelson-Strauss > >Head of Collections > >Archives of African American Music and Culture > >Indiana University > >Smith Research Center, Suite 180 > >Bloomington, IN 47408 > >812-855-7530 > >bnelsons@xxxxxxxxxxx > >www.indiana.edu/~aaamc > >www.blackgrooves.org > > > >