Customer Reviews

Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Remember the days when recording sound required magnetic tapes that you could fast-forward through, rewind, and turn over? I can't say that I do; it's all such a fog now. Maybe it was just a bad dream. Either way, digital recorders are here, so there's no point bemoaning the past. I recently purchased a Sony MS515 digital voice recorder to use as a mini dictation machine on long commutes to work. I shopped around before buying the pricy Sony. Here are my observations several months after my purchase:

1) As with every Sony device I've ever owned, the MS515 is well-designed, easy to use, feature rich, and 100% reliable; in other words, it's worth the money.

2) If you carry a tiny voice recorder in your pocket, I guarantee you will find more uses for it than you could ever anticipate.

3) Being able to easily download your recordings to your computer and save them as WAV files (among other formats) will change the way you use such recordings--for the better.

4) I will never touch another cassette recorder so long as I live.

With regard to novel applications, consider this: Have you ever gotten lost because you didn't bother to jot down all those seemingly unimportant details in the directions? Do you try to remember phone numbers for want of a pencil? Do you ignore flashes of insight while driving or walking your dog? Have you ever tried to describe the sound your car makes to your mechanic? Do you remember what your kid's first words sounded like? Need I say more?

But here is my absolute favorite (and unexpected) application of my digital voice recorder. When I am snapping pictures (with my digital camera, or course) of a sporting event, a ceremony, or even kids at play, I switch on my MS515 and capture all the sounds (and narration) to go along with the photos. It's infinitely richer to have sounds, voices, and narration to accompany the photos. (Don't think of this combination as a cheap form of video, but as a way to augment your still photos.) Try it. You won't believe what a difference it makes. In some ways I actually prefer it to video.

Here are a few specific comments about the Sony MS515. It's not much bigger than a cigarette lighter, so it's easy to pop it in your pocket. Its buttons are well placed (at least for righties), so it's easy to turn off and on, append, delete, switch folders, etc. It runs on two AAA batteries, which last for maybe 10 hours. Keep plenty of extra batteries on hand if you plan to use it a lot. As for memory, I use a 32 MB memory stick, which can hold about 4 hours of recording at the highest quality. I find this to be more than adequate for most everything I do. (But 8 MB is not enough.) Finally, the internal mic is very good, so there is no need for an expensive external mic. (I bought an external directional mic and found that the quality was indistinguishable from the built-in mic.)

One last piece of advice: Before you decide to save a little money by getting a cheap voice recorder, ask yourself two questions. How many times have you regretted buying the top-of-the-line? How many times have you regretted NOT buying the top-of-the-line? For me, the latter far outnumbers the former. Since we're talkin' voice recorders here, not sports cars, here's your chance to go for the top-of-the-line. The MS515 is a great little device; I don't think you'll be disappointed. With the MS515 in your pocket, you are far more likely to capture the really important stuff, like your kid's first attempt at the word "spaghetti".

By the way, it's an outstanding mini dictation device too.

April 2004
I've owned the MS515-VTP for over a year now. I tape a high volume of conference calls and the device has performed consistently well, and I hope to get many more years of use from it.

I use it with two 128MB cards, on the highest quality recording settings and have been very satisfied with the results. I also like the fact that I can monitor the recording real-time through earphones though feedback can be an issue, such as my laptop being in close proximity.

The real advantage of the MS515 is being able to use it in conjunction with my computer so I can upload, mail, and manage recordings, both on the PC and the MS515. The included Memory Stick Voice editor is a great software application for reviewing and mainpulating recordings since you can speed up, slow down, cut, merge, and e-mail recordings with a Window Media Player plugin. You can also use the editor to manage the files on the MS515 itself, much easier than doing it via the clumsy setup buttons on the recorder. My only complaints about the software are not being able to use the bookmark function on WAV recordings, and while you can move recordings between folders on the MS515, it won't move them between folders in the PC pane. A strange oversight.

The MS-515 does have a few issues. As previously noted selecting folders for recordings and menu settings can be difficult and require several attempts to get the button to actually set/select correctly. There is no jack for a power adapter. I guess the designers never realized someone might use it consistently where plugging it in would be preferred to batteries. I use NiMH rechargable batteries and while they don't last as long as alkaline batteries, I just swap between recharged pairs.

The mic jack has become somewhat loose after a year and the flat rate charge for repair is $73, pretty high.

Features missing - aside from a power input, my wish list would be the ability to record through the MS515 directly to the PC when it's plugged in via the USB (some Olympus recorders offer this option), the ability to power the MS515 via the USB, or recharge the batteries that way.

For the Memory Stick Voice Editor software, why not offer access to downloading the latest version, or free downloads of it to people I've mailed recordings to, not just the MSV plug-in for Windows Media Player? Bookmark functionality for WAV files, moving files between folders on the PC side, and more control over information displayed about recordings, and how recordings are named when transferred would all enhance the functionality and save me time.

A complaint about the Sony web site in general- there's no easy way to provide them feature suggestions or product specific ergonomics feedback.

I give the MS-515 a B+

A followup and caution since my April 2004 review. Sony was unable to repair the previously mentioned loose mic jack and shipped me a replacement unit. After receiving two reconditioned recorders that both had problems, Sony finally shipped me a brand new unit. They get an A+ for customer service, but it took two swaps and several weeks. The new unit has worked perfectly for several months. Avoid the reconditioned units like the plague.
April 2007 update
Still using the recorder, no problems still works great. I have upgraded the digital voice editor software. It's improved but still doesn't have the features I noted previously as of the 2.3b version. Don't know if this recorder is still made but it's been a great investment for me.

As the title suggests, I use this in my law enforcement job. The sound quality compared to microcassettes is so much better that I will never go back. I have had this unit now for at least a year and have used it both in patrol work and in investigations. I have the 128 mb card in mine. I can record EVERY citizen contact during a shift and then DL it to my computer. Heck, sometimes I will go three or four days before I DL the files. This little gem can save your bacon in so many ways. NO BUTTONS ON THE FRONT. It doesn't get turned off by accident. Record a three hour interview and not change the tape. Talk to fourteen different people and all you have to do is press record and stop. It does the rest, including putting the date and time on the recording. No more mangled microcassettes. No more pockets full of tapes. No more tapes accidently getting recorded over. The built in microphone picks up conversation really well. I have the version with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which saves a lot of typing on those loooooong case reports.

My advice? Go digital, even if your department won't buy it for you.

The quality of sound in this compact little marvel is simply amazing. There is no background hissing or humming that is related to the cassette type recorders. The 8mb stick that is included should've been at least 16mb. I use this to record lectures, it saves time and frustration if you can't keep up with the instructors pace of lecture, no worries, you have it recorded. The battery life I've found to last about a week and a half, recording and hour and a half lecture and copying the lecture to my hard drive. I wish sony would've made it possible to save it as an mp3 format. One more little detail that I think was overlooked was to have included an AC adapter with this little unit. Overall a nice addition to all of you gadget nerds out there. Did more than impress with what I received. Nice and compact design. Recessed buttons are nice features as well. I also recommend having this unit fairly close to the instructor to keep your fellow students coughs sneezes and what have you distant and not in your ear.

This recorder is so small and compact its amazing! I wasn't sure which Sony reorder to purchase at first after looking at a few. I went with this one and I am glad I did! I am using it mainly for college courses and recording the professor. Whether I get a seat right up front or way back in the room (and a very good size room that is!) I still get excellent quality. I purchased a larger memory stick to support a weeks worth of classes, just in case I don't have the chance to upload them on the computer. The buttons take a bit to get use to, however once you know them its quite easy. I love how compact the unit is, and it comes with its own case which allows you access to all the features. I love the unit overall for the quality, size, and performance.

I haven't used the software yet so I can't comment much there. I know with voice related software it takes some time to train it your voice before it learns it. Its worth the while to do specially if you will find it useful.

I use it to record lectures in school and it works great. And, you get about an hour of lectures for about 5-6 MBs -- not bad. True, the 8 MB stick is not much, but a bigger Memory Stick is not that expensive.

The Sony software is great to use and you can convert very easily to .wav.....and, so, Mp3 and CD.

Really, I can't believe people would complain about this baby except for the price. Well, it beats buying tapes over and over again. And, just get rechargeable batteries (AAAs) and it will cost even less over time!!!!!!!!!!!!

The voice quality is quite superb even if I am in the back of an albeit microphoned lecture hall. It even comes with a protective case. This product is simply Sony doing something real well. I tried an Olympus model and it was harder to work and it seemed more difficult than the Sony.

I use this little gem for recording lectures. This babe will pick up the sound of a dropped dry-erase erase marker all the way from the back of a crowded lecture hall (where I usually hang out...where else can you nab a quck snack, zzzs, etc?;)). Voice clarity is crystal clear.

I burn a switched 256 MB (Mega Byte) memory stick in mine (128MB X 2), for a total of 256 MB. A co-located pause/record button logically placed on the side allows me to avoid recording irrelevant audio.

With 256mb to play with I collect awesome notes that I then convert to MP3 format & store in my database for later picking, choosing, & playing on my portable (usually while at the beach). Conversion & database software are not included, btw.

The IC Recorder, unlike cheap digital recorders, has removable media. Not only does this allow for swapping in a new stick at an instant it also allows for fast uploading of audio data to your computer. A USB cable is included, but I have never bothered to use it. Instead, I use either the built-in memory stick reader of my Vaio laptop or a card reader from a desktop.
The recorder comes with a nice dark leather case for excellent protection while still affording easy access to essential controls.
5 stars, hands down.

I'm surprised to see negative reviews of this recorder because mine works great. I use it to record lectures and seminar discussions, and it is excellent at recording and playback. I don't have the Voice-to-Print software, so I can't comment on it, but I can say that I love this recorder, and it's worth every penny I paid for it.

The reason that I only give it one star is because this product is way overpriced. And, what seems to be good features are not as good as expected. Voice to Print compatiablity is no actual use unless you only use it to record a particular's voice. And, you have to ask the person to train the software for hours. Who can afford such time? It is just not realistic! There is this one big button which is designed/used for 100 different things depending on how you push it down. It is horrible! If you push it in the wrong angle, wrong windows/functions popped up! It is very annoying! One easy job sometimes take me 5 minutes to complete because wrong windows pop up all the time. The button just do not cooperate! Frustrating! I am going to return mine tomorrow. And, the back light only light with power cord plugged in. Who is going to take the power cord to travel? Without back light, the lines/words are very hard to read. I have Sony ICDB25. It costs only 1/4 of this 515 model, but it is much easier to use. The buttons are all seperated, and the recorder is not confused! And the recording quality is not better for this pricy model. The only good thing is that this model has a removable memory stick. But, do we have to pay so much more for this? I am going to buy another ICDB25 today. Memory stick is expensive too! It only include an 8mb stick which is really nothing!

I have been using this for recording my lectures since 2006 and it has yet to fail me. I attribute my good grades while working full time hours by my being able to easily transfer the files to my mp3 player and listen to them while working/driving/doing laundry/raking leaves, etc. The only way this could be better if it recorded to SD so I could just transfer the memory card rather than move files via pc.