Operating the RCA RP3538 Recorder

Operating the RCA RP3538 Recorder  

Power: 

Battery Installation:

1. Open the hinged battery door by pressing down just above the arrow, sliding it as indicated and lifting up. Do not attempt to force door beyond its normal stopping point.
2. Insert 2 “AA” alkaline batteries into the battery compartment. Be sure each battery is installed as shown on the battery diagram in the battery compartment.
3. Close the battery door by lowering and sliding door into the closed position.

Note: If the recording sounds distorted, or if the tape moves very slowly or not at all, check the batteries, try AC power or a fresh set of batteries before seeking service.

AC/DC Power Converter (Not Included):

To save batteries you can use the AC Converter to operate your recorder. The cord plugs into the DC 3V jack on the recorder and the AC end plugs into a household outlet. When the AC/DC Converter is used, batteries are automatically disconnected. The AC/DC Converter (5-1751) must be disconnected from DC 3V jack to check batteries.

Record / Battery Indicator:

• Recording Indicator - The light will remain on when in continuous record mode.
• Battery Condition Indicator - When in the record mode, the brightness level of the light indicates battery condition. When the indicator is dim or does not light, batteries are weak and need replacing.

Using the Recorder:

To Insert or Remove a Cassette:

1. Press the STOP/EJECT button to stop recorder or to open cassette carry door and remove microcassette. When in play or record mode you must press STOP/EJECT once to turn player off and again to open the cassette carry door.
2. Insert microcassette into the cassette carry door with the side to be used visible through cassette door window. Face exposed tape outward and close door.
   Note: Rim drive and capstan drive tapes look alike, but only CAPSTAN DRIVE MICROCASSETTE tapes will work in this recorder.
3. Always push STOP/EJECT before storing. This will relieve pressure on certain parts in the recorder that might deform after long periods of time.

Volume Control:

1. Adjust the volume when in the PLAY mode to your preferred listening level.
2. Adjust the volume when in the RECORD mode to fine tune the sensitivity of the built-in microphone for record operations.

MIC Sensitivity Switch:

This two-position switch enables selection between two microphone sensitivity levels:

• HI - for maximum sensitivity for conferences or general use
• LO - for a lower sensitivity level for dictation purposes.

Record:

1. Press RECORD button (PLAY button will depress also).
   Note: Your recorder is equipped with a microcassette sensing mechanism. This mechanism prevents the RECORD button from being pressed when cassette is not in the recorder.
2. Select HI or LO with the MIC sensitivity switch. Recording level may be fine tuned with the volume control.
3. Speak normally into the microphone. To obtain optimum recording quality, place the recorder with the microphone freely exposed to sound source and as close as convenient. A built-in automatic record level control will set record level for optimum recordings. Avoid recording near unwanted noise sources, such as air conditioners or fans.
4. Push STOP/EJECT button when finished recording.
   Tip: For conferences, to obtain optimum recording quality, place the recorder with the microphone freely exposed to the sound source and as close as convenient. A built-in automatic recording level control will set record level for optimum recordings. Avoid recording near unwanted noise sources, such as air conditioners or fans.

Record with an External Microphone:

1. Plug the microphone into the MIC JACK. The built-in microphone is disconnected.

Headphone Jack:

Plugging in an optional headphone, the speaker is automatically silenced for private listening. When recording with the built-in microphone, you can use the optional headphone to listen to what is being recorded. Note that the headphone jack is designed to permit use of stereo headphones with your mono recorder. Playback will be heard in mono only.

Automatic Voice Activated Recording Switch (AVR):

The AVR feature allows the recorder to sense sound and to record only when you are speaking into the microphone. When dictation stops for approximately 6 seconds, tape operation will stop. Recording will start again when you resume dictation.

• On position - a tape saver. Ideal feature to allow for hands-free operation during dictation.
• Off position - The AVR circuit is disconnected and recording is continuous when unit is in RECORD mode.

Record with AVR On:

1. Place the AVR switch in ON position.
2. Press the RECORD button (PLAY button will depress also). Note: Your recorder is equipped with a microcassette sensing mechanism. This mechanism prevents the RECORD button from being pressed when cassette is not in the recorder. (See Erase Protection.)
3. Select HI or LO with the MIC sensitivity switch.
4. Adjust the VOLUME control so that the sensitivity of the built-in mic is at the point where your voice level will just activate the AVR feature and automatically start recording. The first syllable or two may be lost when you start recording, because this “sound” is used to turn on the AVR feature. It is a good practice to make some “sound or say a short word to activate the AVR before you begin actual dictation. Recorder will automatically stop recording when you cease dictation for a period of approximately 6 seconds.
5. Push STOP/EJECT button when finished recording.

Pause Button:

This convenient PAUSE feature is most helpful while recording because you can stop the recorder momentarily without resetting the control buttons.

1. Depress the PAUSE button to stop operation in PLAY, RECORD, FFWD, and REW modes.
2. Press button again to resume operation.
   Note: If the PAUSE button is activated (depressed) it can also be deactivated by pressing the STOP button.

Tape Speed:

• Normal - is the tape speed which is compatible with most single-speed microcassette recorders.
• 1/2 - doubles the record time and will allow up to 2 hours of recording time when using both sides of a 60 minute (MC-60) microcassette tape.

Tape Play:

1. To listen to your recorded microcassette, rewind to the starting point and press STOP/ EJECT button.
2. Press PLAY and adjust the VOLUME to desired listening level.

Playback Switch:

During the PLAY mode, you can speed up the playback of recording tapes by placing the PLAYBACK switch in:

• FAST-Speed up Playback, 15%-25% faster than normal playback.
• NORMAL-Playback at normal speed.

Rewind / Fast Forward:

• REW-Slide switch to REW to rewind to beginning or any point of your recording. Press the STOP/EJECT button after you have rewound the desired amount.
• FFWD-Slide switch to FFWD to advance the tape. Press STOP/EJECT button after you have reached the desired location on the tape.

Review / Cue:

This feature is helpful in finding the beginning or the end of the recorded segment on the tape.

1. While in PLAY mode, Slide and hold the REV or CUE switch and listen for change from noise to silence (end of recording) or from silence to noise (beginning of recording).
2. When desired portion has been reached, release the REV or CUE switch.
3. Use the same procedure if you want to skip a portion or listen to the same segment again.

Tape Erase:

• To erase a tape simply record over the unwanted recording.

Erase Protection:

When you record new material, the cassette deck records over whatever is on a tape. To protect a tape from accidental erasure, break off one or both plastic tabs (one for each tape side) on the side of the cassette tape. If you decide later to record on the tape, seal the hole with a piece of cellophane tape.

For more information, please refer to your Owner's Manual.