4-1168.fm Page 1 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Cat. No. 14-1168 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
14-1168.fm Page 2 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM FEATURES Your Optimus Micro-40 Micro Cassette Record with VOX is ideal for quick note-taking. Its ultra-small size makes it easy to slip into a pocket or briefcase. You can use it at school, at business conferences, for dictation in the office, or anywhere on the go! You can record manually or set the recorder so sound activates recording.
14-1168.fm Page 3 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Quick Record — lets you instantly change from playback to recording. Built-In Microphone and Speaker — let you record and play back notes anywhere. External Microphone Jack — lets you use an external, wide range microphone. Earphone Jack — lets you use an optional earphone for private listening. Automatic Level Control (ALC) Circuit — automatically sets the recording level.
14-1168.fm Page 4 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM CONTENTS Preparation ............................................... 5 Connecting Power ............................... 5 Using Batteries ............................ 5 Using AC Power ........................... 7 Using Vehicle Battery Power ........ 8 Connecting an Earphone .................. 10 Connecting an External Microphone . 12 Operation ................................................ Loading a Microcassette Tape .......... Recording ............
14-1168.fm Page 5 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM PREPARATION CONNECTING POWER Using Batteries You can power your recorder with two AA batteries (not supplied). For the best performance and longest life, we recommend RadioShack alkaline batteries. Warning: Dispose of old batteries promptly; do not bury or burn them. Cautions: • Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended type. • Never leave dead or weak batteries in the Micro-40.
14-1168.fm Page 6 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow. 2. Insert the batteries into the compartment as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside. 3. Replace the cover. Notes: • If REC/BATT lights dimly during playback or recording, or it does not light at all, replace the batteries. • If you do not plan to use the Micro-40 for several days, or if you plan to use only AC or vehicle battery power, remove the batteries.
14-1168.fm Page 7 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Using AC Power You can power the Micro-40 from an AC outlet using an AC adapter (not supplied), such as RadioShack Cat. No. 273-1654. Cautions: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 3 volts DC and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the Micro-40's DC 3V jack. The recommended adapter meets these specifications.
14-1168.fm Page 8 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Follow these steps to power the Micro-40 from standard AC power. MIC DC3V Rad ioSn ack 1. Set the AC adapter's voltage switch to 3V. 2. Insert the 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3 mm inner diameter barrel plug into the AC adapter's cord so it reads TIP+. 3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into DC 3V on the recorder. Note: Inserting the barrel plug into the Micro-40's DC 3V jack disconnects the internal batteries. 4.
14-1168.fm Page 9 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Cautions: You must use a power source that supplies 3 volts DC and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the Micro-40's DC 3V jack. The recommended adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the Micro-40 or the adapter.
14-1168.fm Page 10 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 3. Insert the barrel plug into the Micro-40's DC 3V jack. Note: Inserting the barrel plug into the Micro-40's DC 3V jack disconnects the internal batteries. 4. Plug the other end of the DC adapter into the vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket. CONNECTING AN EARPHONE You can use an optional mono earphone with 1 a /8-inch (3.5-mm) plug to listen privately to the Micro-40.
14-1168.fm Page 11 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Insert the earphone's plug into the recorder's EAR jack. The internal speaker automatically disconnects. Earphone Jack 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 listening level. • Do not listen at extremely high volume levels.
14-1168.fm Page 12 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing. Traffic Safety • Do not wear an earphone while operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some areas. • Even though some earphones let you hear outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic hazard. CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE You can use an optional microphone with an 1 /8-inch (3.
14-1168.fm Page 13 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM OPERATION LOADING A MICROCASSETTE TAPE Note: We recommend MC-60 microcassette tapes for up to 2 hours of recording/playback time, or MC-90 microcassette tapes for up to 3 hours of recording/playback time. We do not recommend long-playing microcassette tapes such as MC-120s, because they are extremely thin and can easily tangle in the playback mechanism. 1. Use a pencil to turn the cassette's hub and remove any tape slack. Avoid touching the tape. 2.
-1168.fm Page 14 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM out and the full reel positioned toward the top of the recorder. 4. Close the door. RECORDING Cautions: • Do not change the tape speed while recording. • Do not force down REC when a cassette erase-protection tab is not in place (see “Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality” on Page 22). Voice Activated (VOX) Recording Follow these steps to have the recorder start and stop recording automatically based on sound it detects.
14-1168.fm Page 15 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 1. Set VOX to ON. 2. Load a tape. 3. Set TAPE SPEED on the side of the recorder as follows: • To double the tape’s recording/playback time, set TAPE SPEED to 1.2. This setting allows 120 minutes of 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 of total recording/playback time on an MC-60 tape, or 90 minutes on an MC-90 tape.
14-1168.fm Page 16 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 4. Press REC to begin recording. Both REC and PLAY lock down, and the record/battery indicator (to the right of the tape counter) lights. Notes: • 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 starts VOX recording.
14-1168.fm Page 17 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Manual Recording 1. Set VOX to OFF. 2. Load a tape. 3. Set TAPE SPEED to 1.2 to double the recording time, or to 2.4 for better sound quality. 4. Press REC (PLAY also locks down). Recording starts and the built in automatic level control sets the recording level. 5. Recording automatically stops when the tape reaches its end. To stop recording sooner, press STOP/EJECT.
14-1168.fm Page 18 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM PLAYING A TAPE 1. Load the microcassette tape. 2. Set TAPE SPEED to the speed used when the tape was recorded. 3. Press PLAY to begin play.
14-1168.fm Page 19 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 4. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. 5. The tape automatically stops when it reaches the end. Press STOP/EJECT to stop playback sooner. Rewinding/Fast-Forwarding Slide REW/REVIEW FAST-F/CUE to REW/REVIEW to rewind a tape, or to FAST-F/CUE to fast-forward a tape.
14-1168.fm Page 20 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Caution: To protect the tape-handling parts, press STOP/EJECT or slide REW/REVIEW FAST-F/CUE to the center when the tape reaches the end. To hear the tape play at a faster speed as it fast-forwards or rewinds, slide REW/REVIEW FAST-F/CUE to REW/REVIEW or FAST-F/CUE during playback, When you release the switch, normal playback resumes.
14-1168.fm Page 21 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM USING THE TAPE COUNTER You can use the tape counter to note different locations on your tape during recording or playback. 000 Before playing or recording a tape, rewind the tape completely and press the counter reset button to set the counter to 000. As the tape moves, the counter advances.
14-1168.fm Page 22 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM TAPE TIPS STORING CASSETTE TAPES Do not expose microcassette tapes to high temperatures, high humidity, dust or dirt, or motors, transformers, or other sources of strong magnetic fields. RESTORING TAPE TENSION AND SOUND QUALITY After you play a microcassette tape several times, the tape might become tightly wound on the reels. This can cause playback sound quality to deteriorate.
14-1168.fm Page 23 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM ERASING TAPES To record over a microcassette tape, simply record as usual. The tape recorder records over the previous recording. You can quickly erase both sides of a cassette tape using a RadioShack bulk tape eraser. PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ERASURE Microcassette tapes have two erase-protection tabs — one for each side. When a tab is in place, you can record on that side.
14-1168.fm Page 24 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM tabs. This prevents RECORD from being pressed. Side A Tab If you later decide to record on a tape side after you have removed the erase-protection tab, place a piece of strong plastic tape over that side’s erase-protection hole. Be sure you cover only the hole originally covered by the erase-protection tab. Caution: Removing the erase-protection tabs does not prevent a bulk eraser from erasing a microcassette tape.
14-1168.fm Page 25 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM CARE To enjoy your Your Optimus Micro-40 Micro Cassette Recorder for a long time: • Keep the recorder dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. • Handle the recorder gently and carefully. Don’t drop it. • Use and store the recorder only in normal temperature environments. • Keep the recorder away from dust and dirt. • Wipe the recorder with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking new.
14-1168.fm Page 26 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 20 hours of tape player operation, follow these steps to clean the tape-handling parts or use a RadioShack microcassette deck cleaning kit. 1. Remove the batteries and disconnect any other power source. 2. Open the cassette compartment door and press PLAY to expose the tape-handling parts. 3. Use a cotton swab dipped in tape head cleaning solution or denatured alcohol to gently clean the record/playback head, pinch roller, capstan and tape guides.
14-1168.fm Page 27 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM 4. Press STOP/EJECT to release the tapehandling parts. Then close the cassette compartment cover and reconnect power. Note: For easier cleaning, you can use a microcassette cleaner kit, which includes a special cleaning cassette. Your local RadioShack store carries a full line of cassette recorder cleaning supplies.
14-1168.fm Page 28 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM SPECIFICATIONS Tape Type ............................... Microcassette Tracks ........... 2 Tracks, 1 Channel Monaural Drive System .......................... Capstan Drive 15 Tape Speed .......... 2.4 cm/sec. ( /16 ips) and 15 1.2 cm/sec. ( /32 ips) Recording Time (with MC-60 Microcassette): 2.4 cm/sec .................... 30 min. per side 1.2 cm/sec .................... 60 min. per side Practical Max. Output ......................
14-1168.fm Page 29 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Typical Microcassette Recording Time (with Alkaline Batteries) .................. 18 Hours Dimensions (HWD) .............. 5.0 × 2.5 × 1 In. (126 × 62 × 26 mm) Weight (with batteries) ........... 6.7 oz. (190 g) Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications are subject to change and improvement without notice.
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14-1168.fm Page 31 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM Limited Ninety-Day Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
14-1168.fm Page 32 Thursday, January 20, 2000 2:05 PM (Continued) In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price.