Customer Reviews

Sony WM-GX221 Walkman Stereo Cassette Player/Recorder with Built-in Microphone

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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I got this unit about 2 weeks ago and have been very pleased with it so far.
I purchased this Cassette/recorder to make some self-study drill tapes ,so I really didn't care about the built-in stereo speakers ,the FM tuner or even if it recorded in stereo or mono.
I just wanted the ability to record lectures on standard size casette tapes using an external microphone with a walk-man sized recorder. I looked at Sony's 'Pressman' line of recorders but none of them come with both an external microphone AND a set of headphones. This was the only Walkman I could find that came with a detachable microphone AND headphones.
The included stereo mic works very well for voice recordings and the included headphones sound very good for both voice AND music.
The FM stereo sound is of very good quality through both the headphones and the internal stereo speakers. the Bass boost and volume limiter are nice features that I wasn't looking for but found usefull once I tried them out.
All I needed was the ability to record lectures, since this unit provides 1/2 speed recording and playback ,to increase the amount you can fit on a single tape, I found that very handy and the recording quality of voice at half speed is excellent.

I do have a few minor complaints - The headphone jack is very touchy and causes intermittent speaker drop-outs with very little motion of the headphone plug and /or cable.. You need to secure the plug and cable to get a reliable signal on both channels if you listen while walking or jogging.
There is no included belt holder or carrying case - something that could help alleviate the touchy headphone jack ,so if you use it while walking or jogging you are left with only two options - carry it in your hand or put it in a pocket.
The headphones that are included have a cable attached to each ear-piece which are then joined together ,under your neck ,into a single cord. This configuration makes it impossible to keep from twisting up the cord in short-order,and it is nearly impossible to completely untwist once that has happened. A single cable configuration would be simpler and better.

You will probably want to get an AC/DC adapter. Try ...first - they have an appropriate 3Vdc adapter for about $...Sony wants $...for theirs.
Overall this is a good recorder and Player with all the features you need plus some nice extras. If you are considering a Sony Pressman - take at look at the WM-GX221 it might be just what you are looking for!

This product description includes the following: "The cue and review feature provides sound to be heard as the fast forward and rewind modes are used, a helpful tool when searching for specific passages." Unfortunately there is no cue and review feature. There are buttons labeled cue and review, but they do nothing but fast forward and rewind, respectively. A call to SONY confirmed the fact: the agent said, "on this product cue means fast forward." Later she admitted that cue usually has another meaning. This makes the recording device nearly unusable for many purposes.
Otherwise, the recorder works pretty well for the price. The radio is less satisfactory, and the earphones must be plugged in to provide an aerial, even when the speakers are used.

Believe it or not, I'm using this Walkman to digitize my collection of standard analog audio cassette tapes. It fits neatly on my desk next to my MacBook Pro laptop computer. I'm using its headphone jack to plug it straight into my MacBook Pro's audio in port, and using GarageBand for digitizing and creating audio digital files.

I also use its AM/FM radio from time to time.

I'd like to get another one, a spare. I wish it was still available.

I've had mine for a year now and it still works like brand new since the day I got it. My only complaint is the volume leveler when recording because sometimes on playback its too low. So its seems like I'm turning the volume dial to the max just to hear it.