Sony TCM-36 User Manual

p STOP

PAUSE c in the direction of the arrow
To release pause playback, release PAUSE
c*.

Press and hold 

) FF/CUE and release it

at the point you want

Press and hold 

0 REW/REVIEW and

release it at the point you want

) FF/CUE during stop

0 REW/REVIEW during stop

r REC

(see Fig. D)

Insert a cassette with the side to start playing facing the cassette
holder.

Adjust the tape playback speed.
Set SPEED CONTROL to:
SLOW (slow) to play back a tape slower.
Center position to playback a tape at normal speed.
FAST (fast) to playback a tape faster.

Press 

( PLAY then adjust the volume. There is a raised dot to show

the direction to turn down volume beside VOL.

At the end of the tape, playback stops and the unit turns off
automatically.

Stop playback/stop fast
forward or rewind

Pause playback

Search forward during
playback (CUE)

Search backward during
playback (REVIEW)

Fast forward**

Rewind**

Start recording
during playback

* PAUSE c will be also automatically released when p STOP is

pressed (stop-pause-release function).

** If you leave the unit after the tape has been wound or

rewound, the batteries will be consumed rapidly. Be sure to depress 

p

STOP.

z

• Operate the unit only on 3V DC. For AC operation, use the AC power

adaptor recommended for the unit. Do not use any other type. For
battery operation, use two size R6 (AA) batteries.

• Do not leave the unit in a location near heat sources, or in a place

subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust or mechanical shock.

• Should any solid object or liquid fall into the unit, remove the batteries

or disconnect the AC power adaptor, and have the unit checked by
qualified personnel before operating it any further.

• Keep personal credit cards using magnetic coding or spring-wound

watches etc. away from the unit to prevent possible damage from the
magnet used for the speaker.

• If the unit has not been used for a long time, set it in the playback mode

and warm it up for a few minutes before inserting a tape.

We do not recommend the use of tapes longer than 90 minutes except for
a long continuous recording or playback. They are very thin and tend to
be stretched easily.

If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit, please
consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Should any problem persist after you have made these checks, consult
your nearest Sony dealer.

r REC.

m

The tab on the tape has been removed.

( PLAY.

m

The tape has reached the end. Rewind the tape.

d

Sony Corporation 



1998 Printed in China

Operating Instructions
Mode d‘emploi 

(au dos)

A

a

b

c

E

3-862-203-23(1)

C

The instructions in this manual are for TCM-465V,TCM-459V and TCM-
36. Before you start reading, check your model number. TCM-459V is the
model used for illustration purposes. Any differences in operation are
clearly indicated in the text, for example, “TCM-459V only”.

B

a

b

e

A

(

p

0

)

Note
The battery life may shorten depending on the operation of the unit.

(see Fig. A-e)

Connect the AC power adaptor to DC IN 3V and to the wall outlet. Use
the AC-E30HG AC power adaptor (not supplied). (For TCM-36: For Japan
use the AC-E30M, not supplied) Do not use any other AC power adaptor.

Note
Specifications for AC-E30HG varies for each area. Check your local
voltage and the shape of plug before purchasing.

z

(see Fig. B-a, b)

You can record right away with the built-in microphone.
Make sure that nothing is connected to the MIC jack.

Press the counter reset button to reset the tape counter.

Insert a normal (TYPE I) tape with the side to start recording facing
the cassette holder.

For TCM-465V/459V:

1 Set VOR to:

ON to start and pause recording automatically to the sound.
OFF to start and stop recording manually.

For TCM-459V:

2 Set MIC SENS to select the sensitivity of the microphone to:

H (high) to record at meetings or in a quiet and/or spacious
place.
L (low) to record for dictation or in a noisy place.

Note
When the sound to be recorded is not loud enough, set the VOR
switch to OFF, or the unit may not start recording.

For TCM-465V:
• To use the microphone in a standing position

When you record a lecture or a speech, use the microphone in a
standing position.

1 Slide the POP-UP MIC switch

 as illustrated.

2 Face the microphone toward the sound source.

• To use the microphone without standing it

When you want to record a wide range for conversations in a
meeting, etc., use the microphone at a flat angle.
Place the unit on a hard surface such as a desk with the cassette
holder side up so that the flat mic can record effectively.

For TCM-459V/36:
Place the unit on a hard surface such as a desk with the cassette
holder side up so that the flat mic can record effectively.

Note
When using the microphone in a standing position, the sensitivity
will be higher than the flat mic.

Press 

r REC.

Recording starts.
While the tape runs, the BATT/REC lamp lights and flickers
depending on the strength of the sound.

At the end of the tape, recording stops and the unit turns off
automatically.

Thank you for purchasing the Sony Cassette-Corder.
Some features are:
• VOR (Voice Operated Recording) system that starts and stops recording

automatically in response to the sound, to save tapes and batteries
(TCM-465V/459V only).

• SPEED CONTROL function that lets you increase or decrease the tape

playback speed.

• High sensitive flat mic picks up a wide range of sound clearly (TCM-

459V/36 only).

•Pop-up microphone system allows you to use the microphone properly

by adjusting it to the situation (TCM-465V only).
When the microphone is in the standing position, it works as an
unidirectional microphone and picks up sound coming from the front
side clearly.
When the microphone is at the flat position, it picks up a wide range of
sound clearly.

• Cue marker function to mark a desired portion during recording (TCM-

465V only)

•Three BATT/REC lamps indicate the remaining battery power in two

steps and the 

i lamp indicates when to replace the batteries.

z

Choose one of the following power sources.

(see Fig. A-a)

Make sure that nothing is connected to the DC IN 3V jack.
1

Open the battery compartment lid.

Insert two size R6 (AA) batteries (supplied to TCM-36 and tourist
model of TCM-465V only) with correct polarity and close the lid.

Notes
• Do not charge a dry battery.
• Do not use a new battery with an old one.
• Do not use different types of batteries.
• When you do not use the unit for a long time, remove the batteries to

avoid any damage caused by battery leakage and subsequent corrosion.

• Dry batteries will not be expended when another power source is

connected.

To take out the batteries (see Fig. A-b)

To attach the battery compartment lid if it is
accidentally detached (see Fig. A-c)

When to replace the batteries (see Fig.A-d)

Replace the batteries with new ones when the BATT/REC lamps go off
and the 

i lamp flashes.

The BATT/REC lamps change as illustrated:

Notes
• During FF(CUE) or REW(REVIEW), the 

i lamp may flash. Only when

the tape does not run properly, replace the batteries.

• In some cases when the unit is used with rechargeable batteries, only

one BATT/REC lamp will light even though the batteries have been
fully charged.

• After the batteries have been used for a while, the BATT/REC

lamps may flash with the playback sound when you turn up the
volume; however, this does not mean that you need to replace the
batteries.

• The unit will play back normally for a while even after the 

i lamp

flashes. However, replace the batteries as soon as you can. If you do not,
a loud noise may be emitted by the built-in speaker or subsequent
recording will not be done correctly.

• When the tape starts running or at the end of the tape the 

i lamp may

momentarily light. If the lamp goes off, you do not need to replace the
batteries.

Sony alkaline LR6 (SG)

11

11

Sony R6P (SR)

 3

 3

* Measured value by the standard of EIAJ (Electronic Industries

Association of Japan). (Using a Sony HF series cassette tape)

Stop recording

p STOP

Pause recording

PAUSE c in the direction of the arrow
To release pause recording, release
PAUSE c*.

Review the portion

Press and hold 

0 REW/REVIEW

just recorded

during recording.
Release the button at the point to start playback.

* PAUSE c will be also automatically released when p STOP is

pressed (stop-pause-release function).

Connect an earphone (not supplied) firmly to the EAR jack.

Notes
• Do not use a CrO

2

 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape, otherwise the

sound may be distorted when you play back the tape, or the previous
recording may not be erased completely.

• The SPEED CONTROL switch works in the playback mode only.

Recording will be made independent of this control.

Notes on VOR (Voice Operated Recording) (TCM-465V/459V only)
• The VOR system depends on the environment conditions. If you cannot

get the desired results, set VOR to OFF.

• When using the VOR system, the unit starts recording only when a

sound is detected, therefore, the beginning of the word may not be
recorded. For an important recording, we recommend setting VOR to
OFF.

Press CUE MARKER during recording. You will hear a buzz at the cue
marker position when you press FF/CUE or REW/REVIEW while
playing back the tape.
It is convenient to mark at an important part of speech, for example,
during an interview to quickly find that portion by pressing FF/CUE or
REW/REVIEW while playing back the tape.

Notes
•Cue will not be marked if you press STOP or PAUSE immediately after

having pressed CUE MARKER.

•You may hear noise at the cue marker position during playback when

you are listening to the recording through a sensitive earphone.

To prevent a tape from being accidentally recorded
over (see Fig. B-c)

Break out and remove the cassette tabs. To reuse the tape for recording,
cover the tab hole with adhesive tape.

(see Fig. C)

Connect a microphone to the MIC jack. The raised dot near the MIC jack
identifies as the jack for a microphone, not an earphone. Use a
microphone of low impedance (less than 3 kilohms) such as ECM-T115
(not supplied).
When using a plug-in-power system microphone, the power to the
microphone is supplied from this unit.

Note
When recording with an external microphone, the VOR system may not
work properly because of the difference in sensitivity.

Connect another equipment to the MIC jack using the RK-G64HG
connecting cord (not supplied). (For TCM-36: For Japan use the RK-G64,
not supplied)

m

The batteries have been inserted with incorrect polarity.

m

The batteries are weak.

m

PAUSE c is slid in the direction of the arrow.

m

The AC power adaptor or car battery cord is not firmly
connected.

m

The batteries have been inserted, but simultaneously the AC
power adaptor is connected and not to be done to the wall
outlet.

m

The earphone is plugged in.

m

The volume is turned down completely.

m

SPEED CONTROL is set at a point other than the center.

m

The volume is turned down completely.

m

The batteries are weak.

m

The heads are contaminated. See “Maintenance.”

m

Connection is made incorrectly.

m

The batteries are weak.

m

The record/playback head is contaminated.

m

For TCM-465V: Change the flat mic or pop-up mic.

m

For TCM-459V: MIC SENS has been set to the improper position
when VOR function works.

m

For TCM-465V/459V: VOR is set to ON. When you do not use
VOR, set it to OFF.

m

The erase head is contaminated.

m

Recording or erasing is being made using recorded CrO

2

 (TYPE

II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape.

(see Fig. E)

Wipe the heads, pinch rollers, and the capstans with a cotton swab
moistened with alcohol every 10 hours of use.

Use a soft cloth slightly moistened in water. Do not use alcohol, benzine
or thinner.

2-track 1 channel monaural

250 - 6,300 Hz

Approx. 3.6 cm (1

7

⁄

16

 in.) dia.

300 mW (at 10 % harmonic distortion)

Microphone input jack (minijack) sensitivity 0.2 mV for 3 kilohms or
lower impedance microphone

Earphone jack (minijack) for 8 - 300 ohms earphone

from +30% to –15%

• Two size R6 (AA) batteries (supplied to TCM-36 and tourist model

of TCM-465V only): 3V DC

DC IN 3 V jack accepts:
• AC-E30M (TCM-36 only) or AC-E30HG AC power adaptor (not

supplied) suitable in the country where the unit is to be used.

• Sony DCC-E230 car battery cord (not supplied) for use on 12 V car

battery.

TCM-465V: Approx. 116 

×

 91 

×

 43mm (4

5

⁄

8

 

×

 3

5

⁄

8

 

×

 1

3

⁄

4

 in.)

TCM-459V/36: Approx. 116 

×

 91 

×

 38mm (4

5

⁄

8

 

×

 3

5

⁄

8

 

×

 1

1

⁄

2

 in.)

TCM-465V: Approx. 200 g (7.1 oz.)
TCM-459V/36: Approx. 195 g (6.9 oz.)

R6 (size AA) batteries (2) (TCM-36 and tourist model of TCM-465V
only)

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

c

D

Les instructions contenues dans le présent mode d’emploi concernent les
modèles TCM-465V,TCM-459V et TCM-36. Avant d’en entamer la lecture,
vérifiez la désignation de votre modèle. C’est le modèle TCM-459V qui est
représenté dans les illustrations. Toute différence de fonctionnement est
clairement indiquée dans le texte, par exemple : “TCM-459V
uniquement”.

0

p

r