Use Tape Recorder...Yes or No

That's exactly what I used to do.

 

Pretty much what I did as well (no longer writing, working on the desk) during pressers. I have an "index" button on Olympus W-100 and every time a new question came up, I would hit it and it would create a new play to FF to instantly. I could then just write down the number of the index, write a quote, comment or the question on a piece of paper and fly through interviews, especially one that went 30-40 minutes.

I know some tape recorders had counters that you could mark a spot about the same way, but you still had to FF through the tape.

I'm a big fan of digital recorders.

 

I do what Cosmo does. You that are on tape recorders still, do you just like the idea of fast-forwarding or rewinding for minutes at a time to find a quote? Do you want to buy my VCR?

 

Worked in the music industry for years ... back in the days of 8-tracks ... can't readily buy an 8-track player ... or record player ... point is, cassette recorders and the tapes will stop being made sooner than later ... digital is the only way to go .... archiving interviews is one big benefit to me, if only for my historical interest. ... I know it's not everybody's bag, but it is mine ... One of my most treasured sound files is with a 92 year old Charlie Wagner, who roomed as a Red Sox rookie with Ted Williams ... The recorder rolled for 37 minutes ... a month later, Charlie passed away, and those stories would have been lost (to me, at least) for good ....

 

I've been married to various Olympus digital recorders for quite some time, in large part because I went through microcassette recorders like crazy. They'd randomly conk out on me every six months or so. I've been using my current Olympus recorder for five years.

 

Holding out to get the new iPhone when it (supposedly) comes out in September. Works well as a recorder to, huh?

 

I have an iPhone 4 and it works great as a recorder. The iPhone 5 should be just as good, maybe better. (As someone else pointed out, make sure you put it on Airplane mode)

 

Micro-cassette recorder, and I have a box of tapes from years of interviews.

When I transcribe the interview I save it, print a copy and file it.

Old fashioned? Sure. But I like it that way, it works for me and that's what matters.

I have a pica stick on my desk, too. It's a great back-scratcher.

 

I do have digital, but I don't save the audio files.
What i do is transcribe everything and save the interview as a document. I have everything I've done since the fall of 2007 on my laptop, except for six weeks from the fall of 2010 (when my laptop crapped the bed, for whatever reason that info wasn't recovered).
I use my iPhone 4 but I'm terrified to try anything but the Audio Notes; I'm so damn picky, I need an app I'm super comfortable with that a 6-year old could use.

 

I have two digital recorders, but I've just been using my BlackBerry lately. Does the trick and is convenient.

 

Olympus recorder. Always use it and archive. I probably should be better about working written notes into that. Had a tape recorder when I first started, but I just hated that thing.

I know a few people who just type while doing phone interviews, but I always feel like that takes from my ability to listen/think on my feet.

 

I use a digital recorder. I typically transcribe my recording and then save the document onto my hard drive. I'm not at the stage yet where I'm backing up all my transcribed notes.

Digital, though, is the way to go. Convenience is the No. 1 benefit.

With that said, I think using a notepad to quote is going out of style -- and that's a problem. As a young journalist, I feel I rely on my recorder too much. I've purposely been leaving my recorder at the office lately when I'm at an (easier) assignment. I know I need to get better at short hand. More importantly, I need to get better at reading my short hand.

But that's a topic for another thread...