microcassettes
Pocket dictation media
Microcassettes are miniature audio cassette tapes, roughly half the size of standard cassettes, used primarily in dictation machines and telephone answering machines.
Popular from the 1970s through the 1990s, they allowed portable voice recording before digital recorders displaced them: The detective's microcassettes contained hours of witness interviews.
The format is now largely obsolete.
Audio capture device for transcription
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- stenographyCompressed symbolic writing system
- secretaryAdministrative office aide
- shorthandAbbreviated writing system
memos · correspondence · note-taking · verbatim · interviews · lectures · meetings · reminders
Comparable equivalent
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- spoolCylinder for winding material
- rewindReturn to beginning
- fast-forwardAccelerated playback mode
capstan · Philips · Olympus · Sony · playback · track · dubbing
Old and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- discontinuedNo longer available
- supersededReplaced by something newer
- vintageQuality from past eras
retro · outdated · replaced · legacy · phased-out · collectible · nostalgia · eBay
Recorded caller messages
- greetingExpression of welcome
- messageTransmitted communication
- beepShort electronic tone
- screeningEvaluative selection process
landline · telephone · playback · save · delete · announcement · caller · rewind
Formal evaluative conversations
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- ethnographySystematic study of peoples
- oral-historyRecorded firsthand accounts
- documentaryFactual film about reality
reporter · broadcast · soundbite · press · investigation · source · quotes · research
Formal pretrial questioning
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- wiretapHidden listening device
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
transcripts · affidavits · interrogation · discovery · litigation · paralegal · attorney · admissible
dictaphone
Audio capture device for transcription
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- stenographyCompressed symbolic writing system
- secretaryAdministrative office aide
shorthand · memos · correspondence · note-taking · verbatim · interviews · lectures · meetings · reminders · executive
analog
Comparable equivalent
fast-forward · capstan · Philips · Olympus · Sony · playback · track · dubbing
antiquated
Old and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- discontinuedNo longer available
- supersededReplaced by something newer
vintage · retro · outdated · replaced · legacy · phased-out · collectible · nostalgia · eBay · deprecated
voicemail
Recorded caller messages
screening · landline · telephone · playback · save · delete · announcement · caller · rewind
interviews
Formal evaluative conversations
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- ethnographySystematic study of peoples
- oral-historyRecorded firsthand accounts
documentary · reporter · broadcast · soundbite · press · investigation · source · quotes · research · archiving
depositions
Formal pretrial questioning
surveillance · transcripts · affidavits · interrogation · discovery · litigation · paralegal · attorney · admissible
microcassettesMP3s
Compressed music format
digital audio · streaming audio · cloud storage · flash memory · podcasts