How to Use Mini Tape Recorders in Class

Whether you are recording an important lecture or a review for a final exam, you can use a mini tape recorder to help you with your studying. With the option of listening back to important information that is released by your professor, you will have a better chance of studying only the relevant material that will appear on the exam. Not only will it help you with your studies, but you can use a mini tape recorder to re-listen to speeches given by guest speakers, for further inspiration.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mini tape recorder
• Mini cassette tape
• Batteries

1. Make sure you have fresh batteries in your mini tape recorder. When you intend on taping a lecture or other speech during class, you want to make sure to capture the entire oratory. Install fresh batteries by removing the battery cover and inserting the batteries the correct way, as per the diagram on the inside.

2. Insert a tape into the mini tape recorder. In many cases, you can use an old tape and record over any unimportant information. Make sure the tab on the top of the tape is not broken off; if it is, you can still use the tape to record by ripping a piece of paper, balling it up and placing it in the hole. This will allow the recording head to write over the previous information.

3. Rewind the tape to the beginning if using an old tape with information already recorded. This will give you ample time to record your lecture or speech without interruption. Most mini cassette tapes come in 30- and 60-minute lengths and can be purchased online at Amazon or at brick-and-mortar electronics stores such as Best Buy and RadioShack.

4. Sit as close to the lecturer as possible. This way, any audio that is recorded will be loud and clear, and you will not have to strain to hear what is being said upon playback.

5. Place the mini tape recorder on top of your desk, paying close attention to the placement of the microphone. The microphone should be labeled and will appear as a few holes in the plastic outer casing. Make sure that the microphone is not obstructed or your playback may sound muffled.

6. Press the "Record" button, and make sure it stays depressed for the duration of the lecture or speech. On some models, it is necessary to depress the "Play" and "Record" buttons simultaneously, while on others you need only to depress the "Record" button.

References

• Wiki: Tape recorder