Sony TCM-AP5V User Manual

Connect the AC power adaptor to DC IN 3V and to the
wall outlet.  Use the AC-E30HG AC power adaptor (not
supplied). Do not use any other AC power adaptor.

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You can record the sound easily with the built-in
microphone. Use a normal (TYPE I) tape.
Make sure that nothing is connected to the MIC jack.

Open the cassette compartment lid.

Take out any slack in the tape and insert the cassette
with the side to start recording facing the lid.

Close the cassette compartment lid.

Set VOR to L , H or OFF. For details, see “VOR (Voice
Operated Recording)”.

Press 

r REC.

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

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

Stop recording

p STOP

Pause recording

PAUSE c
To release pause recording, release
PAUSE c*.

Take out a cassette

Press 

p STOP and open the cassette

compartment lid by hand.

* PAUSE c will be also automatically released when p STOP

is pressed (stop-pause-release function)

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.

To prevent a tape from being accidentally
recorded over
Break out and remove the cassette tabs. To reuse the tape
for recording, cover the tab hole with adhesive tape.

Open the cassette compartment lid.

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

Close the cassette compartment lid.

Press 

( PLAY then adjust the volume.

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

3-858-918-14(1)

Operating Instructions

Mode d‘emploi (au verso)



1996 by Sony Corporation  Printed in China

PAUSEc

pSTOP

)FF/CUE

0REW/

(PLAY

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Thank you for purchasing the Sony Cassette-Corder.
Some features are:
•DPC (Digital Pitch Control) allows you to adjust the

pitch of the playback sound.

•You can increase or decrease the playback tape speed

within the range of approximately +100% to –50%.
If you change the playback tape speed, the pitch will be
automatically adjusted.

•Built-in flat microphone for clear recording of speaker's

voice.

•The BATT/REC lamps indicate the remaining battery

power in two steps and the 

i lamp shows when to

replace the batteries.

•VOR (Voice Operated Recording) system that starts and

stops recording automatically in response to the sound,
to save tapes and batteries.

•Automatic shut-off mechanism at the end of the tape (in

the recording/playback mode only).

•Stop-pause-release function—The pause switch is

released automatically when the 

p button is depressed,

so that you don’t miss a recording chance.

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Choose one of the following power sources.

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

Open the battery compartment lid.

Insert two size AA (R6) batteries (not supplied) with
correct polarity and close the lid.

To attach the battery compartment lid if it is
accidentally detached
Attach it as illustrated.

Sony alkaline LR6 (SG)

8.5

8.5

Sony R6P(SR)

2

2

We recommend to use long-life alkaline batteries.

• 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.

When to replace the batteries
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:

When batteries
are new

When batteries
become weak

Replace batteries

• 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

lamp(s) 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.

The model number is located at the bottom and the serial
number is located inside the tape holder. Record the
serial number in the space provided below. Refer to
whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this
product.

Model No. TCM-AP5V     Serial No.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different

from that to which the receiver is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for

help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.  Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to
operate this equipment.

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)FF/CUE

0REW/

pSTOP

rREC

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Stop playback/stop

p STOP

fast forward or rewind

Pause playback

PAUSE c
To release pause playback, release
PAUSE c*

Fast forward**

) FF/CUE during stop

Rewind**

0 REW/REVIEW during stop

Search forward

Press and hold 

) FF/CUE and release

during playback

it at the point you want

(CUE)

Search backward

Press and hold 

0 REW/REVIEW and

during playback

release it at the point you want

(REVIEW)

Take out a cassette

Press 

p STOP and open the cassette

compartment lid by hand.

* 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.

Before recording, press the counter reset button to set the
TAPE COUNTER to 000. It is useful to search the
beginning of the recording.

Set VOR to L or H. Press 

r REC, and the unit

automatically starts recording the sound and pauses
when there is no sound (you can save tapes and
batteries). You can set VOR to L or H during recording
too.
H: To record at meetings or in a quiet place.
L: To record for dictation in a noisy place.
When you use this system  in a noisy place the unit stays
in the recording mode. If the sound is too soft, on the
contrary, the unit will not start recording. Set VOR to L
(low) or H (high) depending on the conditions. When
you do not use this function, set VOR to OFF.

• 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.

Connect an earphone (not supplied) firmly to the EAR
jack. The sound of monitoring cannot be adjusted by
VOL. The recording level is fixed.

Press 

r REC during playback, recording starts

immediately. It is useful when you want to re-record the
portion which was just recorded.

Press 

0REW/REVIEW during recording. Release the

button at the point to start playback.

Recording or playback stops and the unit turns off
automatically.

How to adjust the pitch combined with the tape
playback speed
Adjust SPEED/PITCH CONTROL as follows:

slower

SLOW

at normal speed

Center

faster

FAST

• Even though you use DPC, you cannot acquire the same pitch

as the original. The tone will be somewhat different from the
original.

• When the power of the batteries is weak, the SPEED/PITCH

CONTROL may make noise if you turn it fast. In that case turn
it slowly or change the batteries.

• When SPEED/PITCH CONTROL is turned or the volume is

adjusted during playback, BATT/REC lamps may flicker.

• When connecting cords, be sure you connect plugs firmly.
• Make a trial recording to make sure that you made connections

correctly and adjusted the volume properly.

• The following examples use Sony products.  If you have any

problem when using other products, read the instruction
manual of those products.

Connect a microphone to the MIC jack. The built-in
microphone will be disconnected and the sound through
the external microphone will be recorded.
When using a plug-in-power system microphone, the
power to the microphone is supplied from this unit.

To start recording, insert a cassette and press 

r REC.

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).

Insert a cassette.

Adjust the sound of the connected equipment.

Press 

r REC.

z

On power
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
AA (R6) batteries.

On the unit
•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.

•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.

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.

On tapes longer than 90 minutes
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.
Recording cannot be made.

m No cassette is inserted.
m The tab on the tape has been removed. To reuse the

tape for recording, cover the tab hole with adhesive
tape.

m The batteries are weak. Replace both batteries with

new ones.

m The record/playback head is contaminated.

m The tape has reached the end. Rewind the tape.
m The record/playback head is contaminated.

m The batteries are weak. Replace both batteries with

new ones.

m The batteries have been inserted with incorrect

polarity.

m The batteries are weak. Replace both batteries with

new ones.

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 The batteries are weak. Replace both batteries with

new ones.

m The record/playback head is contaminated.
m If the cassette has been put on a speaker without its

case, the sound quality may be distorted.

m CrO

2

 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape is used.

m VOR is set to L or H. When you do not use VOR,

set it to OFF.

m SPEED/PITCH CONTROL is set at a point other

than the center.

m The batteries are weak. Replace both batteries with

new ones.

m The capstan and pinch-rollers are contaminated.

m The erase head is contaminated.

m SPEED/PITCH CONTROL is set at a point other

than the center.

m The counter reset button is pressed incorrectly.

Press it correctly to set to 000.

m The unit is not in stop mode. Press pSTOP.

To clean the tape heads and path
Depress 

rREC while pushing the lever.

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

To clean the exterior
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.

150 mW (at 10 % harmonic distortion)

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

Earphone jack (minijack) for 10 kilohms or lower impedance
earphone

from +100% to –50%

3V DC
Two size AA (R6) batteries

Approx. 90.9 

×

 113.0 

×

 37.8 mm

(3 

5

/

8

 

×

 4 

1

/

2

 

×

 1 

1

/

2

 in.)

Approx. 205 g (7.3 oz.) not incl. batteries
Approx. 275 g (9.8 oz.) incl. batteries and cassette

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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0REW/REVIEW

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