Sony ICD Series FAQ

English

ICD Series FAQ

Q1 Are there any tips on how to record a message best?

A1 When dictating a speech:

Set the MIC SENS (microphone sensitivity) to LOW. When recording a message, hold the IC recorder so that the microphone is close to the speaker’s mouth.

When recording a lecture or meeting:

Set the microphone sensitivity (MIC SENS) to HIGH. When recording a message, place the IC recorder so that the microphone faces the sound source.

Keep the distance from the sound source to within 3 to 4 m when recording with the built-in microphone. When the distance from the speaker is longer than the recommended distance, we suggest you use an external microphone such as a zoom microphone.

When recording a message with the IC recorder placed on a table or other surface, place a cushion between the IC recorder and the table so that you can reduce possible noises that may travel through the table.

Note

Noise may be recorded if an object, such as your finger, etc., accidentally rubs or scratches the unit during recording.

Can I use Ni-H (nickel-hydrogen) or Q2 Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) rechargeable

batteries?

A2 We recommend you use alkaline batteries, but you can also use Ni-H (nickel-hydrogen) or Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) rechargeable batteries. Please note, however, the battery life of a rechargeable battery is shorter than that of an alkaline battery. (The battery indicator may not show full capacity, since the voltage of Ni-H and Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries is 1.2 V.)

Q3 Can I use manganese batteries?

A3 You cannot use manganese batteries. (If you use them, the battery life will be extremely short.)

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The display always appears on the Q4 window of the IC recorder. Isn’t there a

power on/off button?

The unit is not equipped with a power on/off A4 button. The display always appears on the

window. The power consumption for the display is very small and will not have any appreciable influence on the battery life shown in the operating instructions.

Depending on the IC recorder model you use, you can turn off the display by sliding the HOLD switch to ON.

If I leave the batteries inserted, aren’t Q5 they consumed even when the IC

recorder is not used?

A5 Even if you do not use the IC recorder, the batteries are consumed slightly. The battery life in this case varies depending on the IC recorder model, humidity or other environmental conditions. Usually, the batteries last two to three months. If you do not intend to use the IC recorder for an extended period of time, we recommend that you remove the batteries.

Which type of external microphones

Q6 should I use? Can I use a stereo microphone?

A6 You can use the electret condenser microphones such as the ECM-C10 (tiepin-type), the ECMDM5P (direct-in type), or the ECM-Z60 (zoom microphone). You can also use a stereo microphone, but the right (R) channel of the sound will not be input. Only the left (L) channel of the sound will be recorded in monaural.

To record the IC recorder sound with Q7 other equipment (tape recorder,

MiniDisc player, etc.), how should I connect the other equipment?

Use an audio connecting cable to connect the A7 earphone (headphones) jack of the IC recorder to

the microphone or line input jack of a tape recorder, a MiniDisc player, or other device.

To the EAR (earphone) jack

Audio connecting	To the MIC
cable	(microphone)
IC recorder	jack
Tape recorder, MiniDisk
player, etc.

Notes

•To connect to the microphone jack of an external device, use an audio connecting cable with a resistor.

•To connect to the line input jack of an external device, use an audio connecting cable without a resistor.

To record sound from other equipment Q8 (tape recorder, MiniDisc player, etc.)

with the IC recorder, how should I connect the other equipment?

A8 Use an audio connecting cable with a resistor to connect the earphone (headphones) jack of a tape recorder, a MiniDisc player, or other device and the microphone jack of the IC recorder.

To the MIC (microphone)
jack		To the
	Audio	earphone
		(headphones)
	connecting cable
		jack
	IC recorder
	Tape recorder, MiniDisk
	player, etc.

Notes

•When recording, we suggest you set the MIC SENS (microphone sensitivity) of your IC recorder to HIGH, the mode for recording a meeting.

•To adjust the recording level, use the volume control function of the tape recorder, MiniDisc player, or other device.

•If you use an audio connecting cable without a resistor to connect the sound source to the IC recorder, the sound may be recorded with interruptions. We suggest you use an audio connecting cable with a resistor.

Q9 Can I record sound from a telephone or a cell phone?

A9 You can use the headphones-type electret condenser microphone ECM-TL1 (not supplied) to record sound from a telephone or a cell phone.

1Plug the microphone into the MIC (microphone) jack of the IC recorder (1), and set the ear piece into your ear (2).

When you connect the external microphone, the built-in microphone is automatically cut off and the IC recorder will record sound from the microphone. The power is automatically supplied to the microphone from the IC recorder.

2

To the MIC (microphone)

jack 1

Earphones-type microphone

2 Place the telephone receiver to your ear and record conversation.

Q10 How can I select and use the recording modes (HQ/SP/LP) properly?

Please select and use the recording mode A10 according to the following criteria:

HQ (High Quality) mode:

To make a very important recording with the highest sound quality, select this mode.

SP (Standard Play) mode:

To make an important recording with higher sound quality, select this mode.

LP (Long Play) mode:

To record a casual meeting or a memorandum, select this mode. You can record for a longer time.

Q11 Is there any limit in recording time for each folder?

There is no limit in recording time for each A11 folder. You can record the maximum

recording time in a single folder. (When you record multiple messages, you may not be able record the maximum recording time because of the system limitations. For details, see the operating instructions. )

Q12 How do the function of dividing a message work?

A12 You can divide a message during recording or playback, so that the message is divided into two and the new message number is added to the divided message. By dividing a message, you can easily find the point you want to play back when you make a long recording such as a meeting.

You can divide messages until the total number of messages in the folder becomes 99.

Notes

•Once a message is divided, you cannot combine the divided messages.

•If you divide a message frequently, the unit may become unable to divide a message.

•If you divide a message with an alarm setting, the alarm setting remains only with the former message divided.

•You cannot divide a message in the first or the last 1 second.

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