Review on 🎙 Sony Memory Stick Media Digital Voice Recorder ICD-BM1 | 128MB MS Duo + Adaptor by Colin Watkins

Pros: sound quality, small file size, small voice recorder size Cons: no compact voice recorder headset offered by Sony, omnidirectional internal microphone, easy to pry open the battery door and if it breaks , the recorder immediately loses power and continuous operation. I have been using this recorder for several years. This is the latest of several Sony recorders I've tried, all with good to excellent fidelity. However, this one turned out to be the most flexible. It tracks the date and time of each recording, file sizes are very small (less than 1/10th the size of *.wav files of comparable quality), the recorder allows multiple folder names with usernames (named by a PC, not the recorder itself). ), which is great for organizational flexibility, and the recorder was fairly reliable. The BM1 is also fairly energy efficient and works well with Sanyo enope rechargeable NiMH batteries, although not as long as alkaline batteries (obviously). However, NiMH batteries along with a quality microprocessor controlled charger can certainly save a lot on battery costs, revenue and waste disposal. Note, however, that only Sanyo enope (and similar) batteries have a long battery life. Conventional NiCAD and NiMH rechargeable batteries self-discharge noticeably after a month (even without use) and are only suitable for intensive daily use, not for occasional need use. but be careful, never insert the batteries upside down and try to close the battery compartment: this can easily damage the door's tiny/fragile retaining mechanism, then the door won't stay closed and the recorder will lose power if the battery contact doesn't makes contact. short and good. Troubleshooting this issue is tricky, not easy even with Sony's service manual and wiring diagrams handy. It's also not easy or cheap to get Sony parts, especially through "service dealers". Loss of battery power will not result in loss of recording, but the BM1 will take many seconds to back up power and reload Memory Stick files while the user waits. Another problem with recorder Sony ICD-BM1 (and other brands) is the following. Sony doesn't offer compact hands-free noise-cancelling headsets. A noise-cancelling headset would be a great addition, which can greatly reduce background noise (like most recording devices, the internal mic is omnidirectional and picks up a lot of unwanted noise). I am using an ETYCOM handsfree cell phone headset with a Sony ICD-BM1. This headset not only reduces background noise, but also greatly improves usability by allowing hands-free recording. One can use both hands to manipulate documents and other necessary things. Connecting a hand to a voice recorder is inefficient, but still necessary for on-the-fly editing. However, the problem with the ETYCOM and most other microphones I've tried is poor microphone sensitivity matching with the Sony ICD-BM1 microphone preamp circuits. I've set the ICD-BM1 to conference mode, but the recording volume is still a bit low and the VOR recording may not work as well as I'd like, although fidelity remains fairly good. The recording volume can later be increased using a PC and the built-in Microsoft Sound Recorder software with the Volume Up option or other more sophisticated audio file management software. , only for the Sony ICD-BM1 recorder [.] BM1 model with hands-free headset, and both devices in pocket cases supplied by their respective suppliers. Note that in the first picture the battery door is swung open; This immediately cuts power if it opens/does not stay closed. Note the side pockets in the second image for an extra memory card and an extra pair of AAA batteries, in this case Sanyo Enlope rechargeable batteries.