Operating the RCA RP3536 Recorder

Operating the RCA RP3536 Recorder  

Power:

Battery Installation: 

1. Press down on the battery door and slide in the direction of the arrow.
2. Insert two "AA" batteries (not included) as shown in the diagram on the back of the unit.
3. Replace the battery door.

AC/DC Power Converter (Not Included):

You can use an AC/DC power converter to operate your recorder. Plug the barrel end of the converter into the recorder's 3V DC jack - automatically disconnecting the batteries - and then plug into an AC household outlet.

Headphones Use:

When you attach headphones (not included), the speaker is automatically silenced for private listening. Make sure you turn down the volume on the unit before you put on headphones. Increase the volume to the desired level only after headphones are in place.

Using the Recorder:

To Insert or Remove a Cassette:

Note: Make sure all buttons are in their "off" (up) position before attempting to open the cassette compartment door.

1. Grasp both sides of the cassette compartment door and lift up.
2. Gently slide in a cassette with the exposed tape facing out and the side you want to hear/record showing through the cassette door window.
3. Close cassette compartment door.

MIC Sensitivity Switch:

• Select HI sensitivity for recording at conferences or for general use.
• Select LO sensitivity for close dictation.

Recording:

1. Insert a blank cassette.
2. Select MIC sensitivity (HIGH or LOW).
3. Press the RECORD button. (The PLAY button will automatically be pressed at the same time).
   Note: If the RECORD button does not depress, see "Preventing Accidental Erasure."
4. Speak normally into the microphone. To obtain the best recording quality, place the recorder with the microphone freely exposed to sound source and as close as possible.
5. When you finish recording, press the STOP button.
   Note: The ALC (Automatic Level Control) will set the record level for optimum recordings, regardless of the volume setting. Avoid recording near unwanted noise sources, such as air conditioners, fans, etc.

Play / Pause:

1. Insert a cassette as explained above.
2. Press the REW button to rewind the tape to its starting point if necessary.
3. Press the PLAY button.
4. Adjust VOLUME to your desired level.
5. The PAUSE feature allows you to momentarily stop tape activity in any mode without resetting the control buttons. To use, simply slide the PAUSE switch to the ON position. Slide the switch back to the OFF position to resume activity.

Variable Speed Playback:

During the playback, you can adjust the speed of the prerecorded tapes by rotating the Variable Speed Playback knob towards the MAX (maximum) position. Tape playback will be approximately 30-50 percent faster than normal at the MAX position.

Fast forward and Rewind:

When in the Stop mode, you can use these buttons to adjust the tape position.

• Press F.FWD to move the tape quickly forward.
• Press REW to move the tape quickly backward.

Cue/Review:

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

1. When in the Play mode, press and hold the F.FWD or REW button and listen for a change from noise to silence (signaling the end of the recording) or from silence to noise (beginning of recording).
2. When you reach the segment of tape you want to listen to, release the F.FWD or REW button.
3. Use the same procedure if you want to skip a prerecorded portion or if you want to listen to the same segment again.

Automatic Stop:

When the unit is operating in the Play or Record mode and the tape reaches its end, the unit will automatically turn off and return all buttons to their off position.

Erasing Cassettes:

• To erase a tape or a segment of the tape, simply rewind and record over the unwanted material.

Preventing Accidental Erasure:

Whenever you make a recording, all material on the tape will be automatically erased.

• When you have a recording you want to keep permanently, break out the rear left tab of the side you want to save. When a cassette with the tab broken is inserted in the cassette compartment, accidental erasure is prevented by a lever in the mechanism that keeps the RECORD button from pressing down.
• Cellophane tape can be placed over the broken tab if you decide later that you want to record over the material on that side.

Note: This unit is equipped with a cassette sensing mechanism. This mechanism prevents the RECORD button from being pressed down when a cassette is not present.

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