Re: [ARSCLIST] Microcassettes

[George Brock-Nannestad <pattac@xxxxxxxx>]

From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad

Philips had a surprisingly good dictation system with capstanless 
minicassettes. 

Kind regards,

George

> I have an Olympus T2020 (I think that's the number) that I've never 
> used as I have another method that I've already discussed with 
> Brenda, but it has two "wells"  - one for microcassettes and one for 
> minicassettes. The minicassette appears to be capstanless and 
> slightly longer than the microcassette. I believe the minicassette 
> shell was also used by Hewlett Packard for small portable data tapes 
> (128K on a tape maybe 256 K ) back in the early 1980s.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Richard
> 
> At 11:53 AM 2007-01-11, you wrote:
> >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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> 
> Richard L. Hess                   email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
> Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
> Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.