Memorex MB2186A - MB Microcassette Dictaphone User manual

MB2186A
“A”
User’sGuide
MMIICCRROOCCAASSSSEETTTTEERREECCOORRDDEERR
Before operating this product,
please read these instructions completely.

1
DANGEROUS VOLTAGE:
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equi-
lateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SER-
VICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALI-
FIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION:
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
FCC WARNING:
This equipment may generate or use radio frequency energy.
Changes or modifications to this equipment may cause harmful
interference unless the modifications are expressly approved in the
instruction manual. The user could lose the authority to operate
this equipment if an unauthorized change or modification is made.
ATTENTION:
POUR ÉVITER LES CHOC ÉLECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA
PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE
LA PRISES ET POUSSER JUSQU’AU FOND.

2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
INFORMATION:
This equipment complies with Class B digital device regulations.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
SURGE PROTECTORS:
It is recommended to use a surge protector for AC connection.
Lightning and power surges ARE NOT covered under warranty for
this product.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme
NMB-003 du Canada.

3
Dear Customer:
Selecting fine audio equipment such as the unit you’ve just pur-
chased is only the start of your musical enjoyment. Now it’s time to
consider how you can maximize the fun and excitement your equip-
ment offers. This manufacturer and the Electronic Industries
Association’s Consumer Electronics Group want you to get the most
out of your equipment by playing it at a safe level. One that lets the
sound come through loud and clear without annoying blaring or dis-
tortion-and, most importantly,without affecting your sensitive hearing.
Sound can be deceiving. Over time your hearing “comfort level”
adapts to higher volumes of sound. So what sounds “normal” can
actually be loud and harmful to your hearing. Guard against this by
setting your equipment at a safe level BEFORE your hearing adapts.
To establish a safe level:
•Start your volume control at a low setting.
• Slowly increase the sound until you can hear it comfortably and
clearly, and without distortion.
Once you have established a comfortable sound level:
• Set the dial and leave it there.
Taking a minute to do this now will help to prevent hearing damage or
loss in the future. After all, we want you listening for a lifetime.
We Want You Listening For A Lifetime
Used wisely, your new sound equipment will provide a lifetime of fun
and enjoyment. Since hearing damage from loud noise is often unde-
tectable until it is too late, this manufacturer and the Electronic
Industries Association’s Consumer Electronics Group recommend you
avoid prolonged exposure to excessive noise. This list of sound levels
is included for your protection.
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

Decibel
Level Example
30 Quiet library, soft whispers
40 Living room, refrigerator, bedroom away from traffic
50 Light traffic, normal conversation, quiet office
60 Air conditioner at 20 feet, sewing machine
70 Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, noisy restaurant
80 Average city traffic, garbage disposals, alarm clock
at two feet
THE FOLLOWING NOISES CAN BE DANGEROUS UNDER CON-
STANT EXPOSURE:
90 Subway, motorcycle, truck traffic, lawn mower
100 Garbage truck, chain saw, pneumatic drill
120 Rock band concert in front of speakers, thunderclap
140 Gunshot blast, jet engine
180 Rocket launching pad
Information courtesy of the Deafness Research Foundation.
4
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We
LISTENING
For A Lifetime
Want You

5
LOCATION OF CONTROLS
FRONT SIDE
1
2
3
4
10
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1. Built-in Microphone
2. MIC (Microphone) Jack
(Top of unit)
3. EAR (Earphones) Jack
(Top of unit)
4. VOLUME/VAC Mic
Sensitivity Control
(Top of unit)
5. Microcassette
Compartment
6. Tape Counter with Reset
Button
7. DC 3V Jack Z
(Side of unit)
8. VAC (Voice Activation)
ON/OFF Switch
(Side of unit)
9. REC/BATT Indicator
10. Speaker
11. Battery Compartment
(Rear of unit)
12. PAUSE ON/OFF Switch
13. REC (Record) Button
14. REW (REV)/F.F Switch
15. PLAY Button
16. STOP/EJECT Button
17. TAPE SPEED (2.4/1.2)
Switch

6
POWER SOURCES
BATTERY INSTALLATION
Open the battery compartment and insert
two (2) "AA" size batteries (not included) fol-
lowing the polarity diagram. Put the battery
compartment cover back into place.
NOTE: The REC/BATT indicator will brightly light during recording
when batteries are fresh. When they are weak, it will light dim.
–
+
–
+
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
Follow these precautions when using batteries in this device:
1. Use only the size and type of batteries specified.
2. Be sure to follow the correct polarity when installing the batteries as
indicated in the battery compartment. Reversed batteries may cause
damage to the device.
3. Do not mix different types of batteries together (e.g. Alkaline and
Carbon-zinc) or old batteries with fresh ones.
4. If the device is not to be used for a long period of time, remove the bat-
teries to prevent damage or injury from possible battery leakage.
5. Do not try to recharge batteries not intended to be recharged; they
can overheat and rupture. (Follow battery manufacturer’s directions.)
AC OPERATION
To operate the unit using AC power, connect an AC adapter (not includ-
ed) to an AC outlet having 120V, 60Hz AC only. Plug the small end into
the DC 3V jack on the unit and connect the other end into the AC out-
let. The batteries are automatically disconnected when the AC adapter
is used.
CAUTION:When not using AC power,disconnect the AC adapter
from the wall outlet by pulling the plug (not the cord). Do not touch
the AC adapter with wet hands. Fully insert the plug without expos-
ing any part of the blade.
DC 3V z

7
OPERATION
TO PLAY A PRERECORDED MICROCASSETTE TAPE
Press the STOP/EJECT
button and insert a micro-
cassette tape with the
side to be played facing
you and the exposed
tape facing the right.
Close the Microcassette
compartment.
1
1
1
Slide the TAPE SPEED
switch to the tape speed
used when recorded.
2
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

8
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
Set the VOLUME/VAC
Mic Sensitivity control to
the desired level.
1
1
3
Press the PLAYbutton 1
to begin playback.
When finished listening,
press the STOP/EJECT
button 2to stop playback.
1
2
4
EAR (EARPHONES) JACK
For private listening, connect earphones (not included) to this jack.
The speaker is automatically disconnected when the earphones
plug is inserted in the jack.

9
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
TO FAST REWIND/REVIEW A MICROCASSETTE TAPE
To rapidly rewind a
microcassette tape in the
Stop mode, slide the
REW (REV)/F.F switch ❶
to the REW (REV) posi-
tion. Press the
STOP/EJECT button ❷
when you reach the
desired position.
1
2
1
To rapidly review a micro-
cassette tape, press the
PLAY button ❶and then
slide and hold the REW
(REV)/F.F switch ❷to the
REW (REV) position. You
will then hear the micro-
cassette play at fast
speed. Release the
switch to resume normal
playback.
2
1
2

10
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
TO FAST FORWARD/CUE A MICROCASSETTE TAPE
To rapidly forward a
microcassette tape in the
Stop mode, slide the
REW (REV)/F.F switch ❶
to the F.F position. Press
the STOP/EJECT button
❷when you reach the
desired position.
1
2
1
To rapidly cue a micro-
cassette tape, press the
PLAY button ❶and then
slide and hold the REW
(REV)/F.F switch ❷to the
F.F position. You will then
hear the microcassette
play at fast speed.
Release the switch to
resume normal playback.
2
1
2

11
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
TO PAUSE A CASSETTE TAPE
This unit can pause the
microcassette while
recording, playing back,
rewinding or fast forward-
ing. To pause recording,
playback, rewind or fast
forward, slide the PAUSE
switch to the ON position.
1
To resume, slide back to
the OFF position.
2

12
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
TAPE COUNTER
The tape counter is help-
ful in locating particular
portions of the tape.
The tape counter will
count up or down when
playing, recording, fast
forwarding or rewinding a
microcassette tape.
To reset the counter,
press the Tape Counter
Reset button; the counter
will reset to “000”.
1
TAPE SPEED SWITCH
Set to one of the following
positions:
2.4: NORMAL SPEED:
Compatible with most sin-
gle-speed microcassette
recorders. This setting has
the best sound quality.
1.2: LONGER RECORD-
ING: This will allow double
recording time, but the
sound quality will be less.
1

13
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
NORMAL RECORDING
This unit is capable of record-
ing only when sound is heard.
To use this feature, see page
15. For normal recording,
press the STOP/EJECT button
and insert a microcassette
tape with the side to be record-
ed facing you and the exposed
tape facing the right (and the
Erase Prevention tab intact,
see page 17). Close the
Microcassette compartment.
1
1
1
Slide the TAPE SPEED
switch to the desired tape
speed.
2
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

14
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
For constant recording,
slide the VAC ON/OFF
switch ❶to the OFF posi-
tion and press the REC
button ❷;the PLAY button
will automatically depress
and the REC/BATT indica-
tor will light.
2
1
3
Speak into the built-in
microphone 1or insert a
microphone (not includ-
ed) into the MIC jack 2
and speak into it in a nor-
mal tone of voice. Tostop
recording, press the
STOP/EJECT button 3.
1
2
3
4
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you cannot press the REC button, then
there is either no tape inserted, or the Erase Prevention tab has
been removed. See page 17 for details.

15
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
VOICE ACTIVATED RECORDING
Voice activated recording will
allow dictation only when you
speak. When the unit detects a
pause of a few seconds, it will
temporarily stop recording until
it detects sound again.
Press the STOP/EJECT but-
ton and insert a microcassette
tape with the side to be record-
ed facing you and the exposed
tape facing the right. Close the
Microcassette compartment.
1
1
1
For voice activated recording,
slide the VAC ON/OFF switch
❶to the ON position and press
the REC button ❷;the PLAY
button will automatically
depress.
2
1
2
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

16
OPERATION (CONTINUED)
Speak into the built-in micro-
phone 1or insert a micro-
phone (not included) into the
MIC jack 2and speak into it
in a normal tone of voice.
Adjust the VOLUME/VAC
Mic Sensitivity control 3
until your voice activates the
recorder; the REC/BATT
indicator will light. To stop
recording entirely, press the
STOP/EJECT button 4.
1
3
4
2
3NOTES:
•The first few sounds acti-
vate the recorder and may
not be recorded.
• A variation in voice level
during recording will not
stop the unit; two seconds
of silence is required to stop
the recording.
• For constant recording, see
page 13.
• When recording, the VOL-
UME/VAC Mic Sensitivity
control adjusts the micro-
phone sensitivity. At 10, a
soft sound will activate the
recorder.At 0, a louder
sound is required.

17
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
SAFEGUARD AGAINST ACCIDENTAL ERASURE
When a new recording is made, any
program material previously recorded
is automatically erased and only the
new recording remains. To safeguard
valuable recordings from being
erased accidentally, the cassette and
the deck are equipped with a special
device.
On the cassette there is an Erase Prevention tab on each side. To
prevent accidental erasing, break out these tabs with a screwdriver.
If only one side of the tape is to be protected, break out the tab on
the left side with the side desired facing you.
To record on a tape in which the tab has been broken, place a piece
of adhesive tape over that area.
NOTE: When a tab is broken out, the REC button cannot be
depressed.
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

18
CARE AND MAINTENANCE (CONT.)
CASSETTE TAPE USAGE
Use only high-quality tapes. If there is any
slack in the tape, remove it before inserting the
cassette. To do so, place a pencil in one of the
hubs and rotate it until the slack is taken up.
Clean the tape head, capstan and pinch roller
using a cotton swab slightly moistened with
alcohol. Avoid scratching the head surface. To
clean the unit housing, use a soft cloth slightly dampened with
water and wipe dry.
CAUTION: Never use chemicals such as benzene or paint thinner
for cleaning, otherwise the case may be deformed or discolored.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
• Do not use while operating a motorized vehicle. It may create a
traffic hazard and is illegal in many areas.
•Even if your earphones are an open-air type designed to let you
hear outside sounds, do not turn the volume up so high that you
cannot hear what is around you.
•Use extreme caution or temporarily discontinue use in potential-
ly hazardous situations.

19
SPECIFICATIONS
Tape Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4cm/sec or 1.2cm/sec
Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-4500Hz
Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40mm (4 Ohm)
Power Source . . . . . . . 3V, “AA” size x 2 batteries (Not Included)
Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 (W) x 5 (H) x 1 (D) inches
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 ounces (without batteries)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
FOR ADDITIONAL SET-UP OR OPERATING ASSISTANCE,
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
WWW.MEMOREXELECTRONICS.COM
OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE AT [phone].
PLEASE KEEP ALL PACKAGING MATERIAL FOR ATLEAST 90
DAYS IN CASE YOU NEED TO RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO
YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE OR MEMOREX.
FOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES, CONTACT FOX INTERNA-
TIONAL AT1-800-321-6993.