Panasonic RR-830 Desktop Cassette Transcriber / Recorder

If you need to transcribe tapes for any reason at all you will save yourself hours of time and frustration by using a tape recorder/player intended for transcription rather than your tape player alone. Panasonic has been making this good machine for more than a few years. To my knowledge it's the best value around.

The foot pedal is essential and easy to use, and allows you to stop, start, and back up your tape without taking your hands off your keyboard. The speaker is good, there is a tone adjustment, and in addition a headset (and this one is comfortable to wear) enables quiet transcribing and improved intelligibility, because the sound of your keys going a mile a minute won't interfere with your hearing your taped material. Importantly, there is a control lever for tape speed for "variable speech control," so that you can play your tape a bit slower, or faster (which you sometimes need, too).

There is a mic and a remote jack, and fast forward and fast reverse. A tape counter your odometer is helpful. Different little lights glow when you're taping, recording, when the machine is on. This is a straightforward, simple, and gimmickless machine that is very nicely put together. It measures a neat and tidy 8 by 10 inches, and packs up simply and with no fanfare. Indispensible if you need to transcribe tapes.

I am a professional transcriber. I do not recommend this for anyone who transcribes on more than an occasional basis. Yes, the price is very good, and when I first bought one I was happy with it. But it broke down very quickly. I had to keep unscrewing and opening the bottom of the (very cheap) foot pedal because the pieces inside that were supposed to connect to cause the tape to move would come loose. Also you have to press play and THEN use the foot pedal in order for it to work.

It's a very basic machine. For the casual transcriber who may only use it on an occasional basis, it's a good deal. But anyone who uses it more than that, invest the money in a better machine.

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As a psychology doctoral student I have to transcribe many therapy and interview tapes for various reasons. This machine has dramtically cut the amount of time needed to do that. I was hesitant to spend the money on a transcritption machine as they are not cheap, but I'm glad I did! It was money well spent and I'm having more time on my hands as a result. I highly recommend investing in one of these if you have to transcribe audiotapes.

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I am extremely happy to find this product on Amazon.com, since the retail office product stores don't seem to be carrying such items anymore. Of course, there are more "bells and whistles" that one could desire in such a product, but considering the price, this product is an excellent offer. I was amazed at the speed in which this product arrived at my address once I placed the order. All in all, I have always been very satisfied with Amazon.com, and this purchase did not change my opinion one bit.

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I am also a professional transcriptionist and work with this machine several hours a day. I like it -it's a good machine for the price. I replace mine about every 3 years or so. I have used machines that are MUCH more expensive and they may have a few additonal features, but this little machine has all the features I really need. I have never had a problem with the foot pedal. The usual reason for replacing is that the longer tapes (90 min. tapes) are heavier and can cause too much drag on the spindles. If you have to use the heavier tapes, you should probably get a heavy duty machine, but it will come with a heavy duty price tag.