User manual OMNICRON ELECTRONICS ANALOG RECORDERS (VLR)-PAGE 2

[. . . ] The VLR-4 provides up to four hours of recording time on each side of a tape. Automatic level control recording assures the best performance with reduced back-ground noise and distortion. A second recording channel for use with the Omnicron Talking Clock can be found on models VLR-1CT, VLR-4CT, and VLR-8CT. The clock provides documentation of the time and date each recording takes place. [. . . ] Adjusting the ACTIVATE SENSITIVITY control too far in the clockwise direction can turn off the voice activation circuit. This will cause the unit to run continuously when it is in the record mode. Adjusting the control too far in the counter-clockwise direction will cause the recorder to remain stopped in the record mode even if there are loud sounds in the amplifier. Since the sensitivity of the voice activation circuit is also affected by the setting of the record level adjustment, you should adjust the record level for best sound quality. Then adjust the ACTIVATE SENSITIVITY if necessary to insure that the recorder does not run when it should be stopped, or if it stops when it should be recording. RECORDING WITH BUILT-IN MICROPHONE Insert a tape and simultaneously depress both the RECORD and PLAY keys. The recorder will continue to record as long as there is sufficient audio in the amplifier to trigger the voice-activation circuit. It stops after it is quiet for a few seconds and starts recording when you speak within a few feet of the microphone. The MONITOR function should be off (MONITOR key UP) to prevent feedback during microphone recording. If you reach the end of the tape while recording, the recorder will shut off and the PLAY and RECORD buttons will pop up. RECORDING FROM OTHER SOURCES: RADIO, PHONE, ETC. Your recorder receives audio either by placing a microphone near the speaker of your audio source, or by connecting directly to the speaker or audio output of the device you wish to monitor. If possible, use a direct connection to prevent unnecessary noise pickup. Most telephone and some twoway radio installations require the use of an interface coupler or adapter (such as the TSA-3, LIC-390, or LIC-100) between the recorder and the audio circuit. If you set it to the OFF position, the internal ALC circuit will be off and the recorder will not automatically adjust for sounds that are too loud. Use the record level adjustment on the bottom of the recorder to set the recording level. When the ALC switch is on, you must still turn the record level up if the sound is too weak and the record level light does not flash while recording. The ALC circuit will prevent sounds that are too loud from over driving the recorder. On recorders with the Clock Track option, this switch is used to select the time track during playback. PLAYBACK Insert a recorded cassette with the full reel to the left and the side you wish to play up. If the cassette you are playing was just recorded and is still in the recorder, rewind it to the beginning of the recording. Depress this key a second time to eject the cassette. CUE / FAST-FORWARD The CUE (fast-forward) key is a dual function key. When you depress this key while the unit is in the play mode, the tape will run forward at high speed. When you remove pressure on the key, the recorder will return to the play mode. If you depress the CUE key when the recorder is not in the play mode, the key will lock down and the tape will run forward at high speed until it reaches the end of tape, or you press the STOP key. To prevent possible tape damage, you should always depress the STOP key after locked in fast winding prior to going into the PLAY, RECORD, or REWIND modes. TONE CONTROL You can use the TONE control to limit the frequency response when the recorder is in the play mode. [. . . ] The VLR-1 recorders run at the standard cassette speed allowing you to record and play back tapes which are compatible with recorders that do not have slow speed capability. Advanced slow speed drive circuits in the VLR-4 and VLR-8 recorders expand the recording time even further to provide 8 or 16 hours of solid talk time on each cassette tape. The VLR-4 provides four times more recording and playback time per tape than the VLR-1. The super slow speed VLR-8 runs at 1/8 speed for 16 hours per tape with little loss in voice quality (8 hours per side with an MLC-120 cassette tape). [. . . ]