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Not quite sure what you're after, but a used Zoom H1 may work for you: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zoom_H1_Handy_Recorder https://commons.wikime

by marttt 4y ago

Not quite sure what you're after, but a used Zoom H1 may work for you: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zoom_H1_Handy_Recorder https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zoom_H1_Handy_Re... Stereo recording and playback, SD card, only one giant "rec" button on the front panel, about three adjusting buttons (mp3 vs wav selection for recording, etc) on the back panel, and some on the sides. Naturally, it also has line/mic-in. Notably, it also works as a USB microphone; and I used mine as the audio interface for an old Thinkpad T42 with great success. The sound quality is considered very good for its price. Only thing that annoyed me was the slowness of forward and rewind. Also, as with all SD-card devices, there's still a lag when you switch from one file to another. Compared to the instant-on playback from a cassette, it does feel cumbersome. I miss cassettes, too, even if I don't remember being really thrilled about all that ff-ing or rew-ing in the 90s. I still use my Sandisk Sansa Clip bought in 2008 for podcasts and music. Use it almost every day. 2GB internal storage, no SD card. Sturdy, simple unit, great sound quality. Works flawlessly after all these years.

brudgers 4y ago
Sorry for not being clear. The Zoom H1’s run about $125 new. A cassette recorder is $25 new despite all the additional material and logistics costs. I was surprised that there is nothing in that price range. I wound up buying a Tascam DR 05. It was about $125 at the time. eBay’d a year later. I just couldn’t commit to its interface abstractions and workflow. It lived in the space where the software was motivated toward making design and manufacture easier rather than the use pleasurable. If I have to menu dive every time I use it, why not just use my phone? Or tape since I can use a pen to name things…not scroll through 128 options one letter at a time. And to be clear, not using my phone (or laptop) is why I buy hardware.

by marttt 4y ago

brudgers 4y ago

Sorry for not being clear. The Zoom H1’s run about $125 new. A cassette recorder is $25 new despite all the additional material and logistics costs. I was surprised that there is nothing in that price range. I wound up buying a Tascam DR 05. It was about $125 at the time. eBay’d a year later. I just couldn’t commit to its interface abstractions and workflow. It lived in the space where the software was motivated toward making design and manufacture easier rather than the use pleasurable. If I have to menu dive every time I use it, why not just use my phone? Or tape since I can use a pen to name things…not scroll through 128 options one letter at a time. And to be clear, not using my phone (or laptop) is why I buy hardware.