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Comment by Jennie Ann on November 28, 2009 at 0:57

Most tapes are standard. I get micro tapes maybe once a year, if that.

There is no transcriber machine that plays both micro and standard.

Micros have the worst audio quality of all. I cringe when I have to transcribe one. Because of the ribbon being so small, they sometimes get buckled, resulting in audio fading in and out the entire tape. It is almost as if you have to do a tap dance on the foot pedal to keep the sound clear. I used to charge 50 cents more per page for microcassette recordings.

Which transcriber to purchase -- micro or standard -- may depend on your client base, I think.

The majority of my work today is digital recordings, though I still do get standard tapes. If I do get a micro recording, it's usuallyh a 5- or 10-minute telephone conversation. Very rarely do I get a large job of micro recordings.

Comment by Agnes Novak on November 20, 2009 at 12:21

Okay, gals and guys, here's another question: Are most tapes microcassettes or standard-size cassettes. Do any of the transcribers play both and if not, what is the best size tape transcriber would be used optimally?

Thanks, Agnes

Comment by Jennie Ann on November 17, 2009 at 12:04

If it is an older Sony transcriber, then that is okay. Just don't get a new Sony. They have plastic gears and break down. If it is a Sony BM-75 and older, i.e., Sony BM-45, Sony BM-46, or BM-50, those are good workhorses.

Comment by Agnes Novak on November 17, 2009 at 11:54

Hello, Jennie. I called Don Smith and the only transcribers he has available are Sony 2-tracks. I thought you had mentioned to me not to get a Sony and that is what I mentioned to him.
Am I correct?

Comment by Jennie Ann on November 12, 2009 at 7:55

Agnes, call this guy up. His name is Don Smith of Tysons Office Equipment. (703) 893-2503. He also repairs standard audio cassette transcribers. So, if you buy a used one on eBay, he can provide repair services.

Comment by Renee B. on November 12, 2009 at 7:52

I purchased my standard cassette transcriber on eBay. You might check these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sanyo-Memo-Scriber-TRC-8080_W0QQitemZ1104550238...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sanyo-TRC-8080-Memo-scriber-Standard-cass-Trans...

Comment by Kathleen Russell on November 11, 2009 at 14:41

Check the Goodwill stores or Salvation Army secondhand stores, they usually have them for a couple of dollars. The machines of course.

Comment by Agnes Novak on November 11, 2009 at 14:10

Jennie, I tried to purchase the Sanyo Memoscriber TRC-8080 because it seemed to be just what I was looking for but when I looked it up on line, there was a message that Sanyo does not carry these anymore.

Any suggestions? Agnes

Comment by Patricia Duck on November 11, 2009 at 13:26

I only buy the Sanyo Memoscriber TRC-8080 that Jennie mentioned. I've used them for the last 20 years or so and in that time, I've only had to buy about five. They are workhorses. They run about $500 and I buy them from Martel Electronics in California.

Comment by Jennie Ann on November 11, 2009 at 12:40

Oh, yeah. The Panasonic microcassette transcriber has better audio quality to my ear than the Olympus, Sanyo, and Sony models.

Of course, microcassette tapes usually suck, but after working on all models and suffering through the assine white noise and in-and-out audio volume, again, the Panasonic microcassette transcriber far exceeded the others, IMHO.

You can get a brand-new Panasonic microcassette transcriber for $200.

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