As of 2009, we do not recommend creating any new recordings with a microcassette recorder. If you have an existing cassette that needs transcription, we can still handle it.

While we can transcribe from microcassette we do not recommend that you use them for anything other than dictation. All transcription from microcassettes are classified as either Type-2 or Type-3 for billing purposes.

The sound quality of microcassettes is decidedly inferior to almost any other format for recording. We highly recommend that you consider moving to digital recorder for all future recordings.

If you must record on microcassette, please follow these guidelines:

• Use an external microphone and plug it into the microcassette recorder. The built in microphones are extremely poor quality.
• Place the recorder and/or microphone as close as possible to the subjects you are trying to record.
• Record in 2.4 fps mode, not 1.2 fps mode: most audio recorded in 1.2 fps mode is not transcribable.
• Record in a quiet environment.

You may also want to review our audio recording tutorial.

When NOT to use a microcassette recorder.

It has been our experience that focus groups and conference calls recorded on microcassette do not result in high quality transcripts.

For these types of transcription try to at least use a standard size audio cassette if not one of our other recommended formats.