Accessory Review:
C. Crane VersaCorder Dual Speed Recorder
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

As an active member of the golf community, it’s important that I have a reliable partner at all times in order that I not miss a beat from tee to green. No, I’m not talking about a knowledgeable caddie, nor a trusty match play partner. Rather, it’s the VersaCorder dual speed cassette recorder from C. Crane that has earned an important spot on my team.

Recently, I went shopping for a solid desk top cassette recorder for my business operations. When you’re interviewing for stories running coast to coast, a top-notch cassette recorder is still the best route to take. True story: I recently stopped in at a well-known big box store and asked if they carried cassette recorders. The sales rep looked at me like was had just flown in from Mars, and asked if I was serious. I couldn’t have been more serious. When it comes to providing readers with reliable quotes, I need a reliable cassette recorder for use with my feature interview sessions.

Before the VersaCorder crossed my desk, I was well versed in the company’s quality products, in particular the CCRadioplus, one of the very best AM-FM radios on the market. If you’re not familiar with the C. Crane company history, Bob and Sue Crane founded C. Crane after settling in the San Francisco Bay Area close to 30 years ago. When weak AM radio reception became an issue, Bob found a solution in the Select-A-Tenna. The Cranes created a company to market the reliable antenna, and the rest is history.

Today, C. Crane carries a number of high-quality electronic items, such as shortwave radios and solar panels, and even flashlights and garden tools. In fact, C. Crane offers more than 300 high-quality, unique items, all of which must pass exhaustive testing in a quality control lab.

So, even before I popped a cassette into the VersaCorder, I felt confident this would be a tried, tested and true performer. And I was right. The VersaCorder lives up to its name – and more.

As I mentioned previously, it is difficult to find an affordable yet high-quality table top standard-size cassette recorder. My search has ended with the C. Crane’s VersaCorder. Here are the basics. First of all, it really is sturdy as advertised – it measures 10 in. W x 2.6 in. H x 6.5 in. D, weighs 2.4 lbs. and includes a handy side-panel carrying handle. 

The keys on the VersaCorder are strong, too – all necessary functions here, including reverse and cue – and they’re even ergonomic in shape. I’m very impressed by the excellent tape eject mechanism – something not typically found in a cassette recorder of this stature. A three-digit counter helps keep track of recordings, as does a flashing red light when you are in record mode. The volume knob is highly sensitive, as is the built-in microphone – a feature I rely on all the time when recording interviews.

Impressed? We’re just getting started. The VersaCorder is no ordinary cassette recorder. It’s labeled as a “quarter-speed” player/recorder, and here’s why. The VersaCorder records in normal speed (for best audio quality), or in quarter-speed mode. This mode records four times longer than normal speed, and must be played back in quarter-speed, too. It’s a great feature for taping lectures, speeches, lengthy interviews and anything which requires you to be absent during the taping – which brings us to a key feature of the VersaCorder.

I mentioned the CCRadioplus radio. The VersaCorder is the perfect mate, because it has been designed specifically for recording your favourite radio show. If you’re a talk radio and shortwave radio afficionado like me, you know what I’m talking about. Using a regular 110-minute cassette tape and quarter-speed function, the VersaCorder can record up to four hours if you use the six-event timer to eliminate commercial breaks. C. Crane recommends you use high-quality 110-minute tapes. Good idea, since longer tapes do tend to stretch and break since they are a lot thinner.

The VersaCorder can be used with any radio that has a headphone jack or line out feature, and you can listen while recording, too, or opt to turn the volume off for silent recording. Simply connect the VersaCorder to the earphone jack of the radio, using the included patch cord, set the timer, and press the record button. The included tri-plug patch cord, colour coded for easy use, will allow you to benefit from remote switch operation. Some radios, like the CCRadioplus and the Grundig Satelit series radios, have a special remote switch connection feature which allows you to record directly from a built-in timer on the radio. Other compatible radios include the Sangean ATS909 and Radio Shack DX398. Refer to the radio’s manual for proper operation of this feature.

Of course, the VersaCorder includes a timer – another unique feature not common in comparable cassette recorders (and there aren’t many around on today’s market). It’s very easy to set, as is the digital clock with large, easy-to-read numbers and day indicator. The voice activation feature is another special inclusion. Why waste tape space? Voice activation with three sensitivity levels allows you to save time and space when, for example, transcribing notes. Just set the level switch, and the VersaCorder will only record what you want it to record. There’s an on-off switch for this feature, too.

As a reporter, it’s imperative that I don’t miss any important news tips. The optional telephone patch cord allows me the option to record directly from the telephone. The VersaCorder has an on/off switch for a beep feature – it beeps intermittently when the record feature is in use. With voice activation and accompanying sensitivity feature in use, the VersaCorder is ready to accept incoming calls and record interviews. Note: before you record a call, always check with local law enforcement for rules and regulations. Here’s a tip of my own for my fellow scribes: the built-in microphone works just fine if you conduct interviews via a quality speaker phone.

The VersaCorder isn’t only at tough performer: it’s a good looking recorder, too. Other features include a quality speaker and headphone jack – it’s one of the best sounding cassette recorders on the market, and it plays back in stereo through the jack. You can use a condenser-type microphone with the 1/8 in. jack for maximum quality, but as mentioned, the built-in mic is top-notch. And, the four footpads at the bottom of the VersaCorder provide a strong anchor for the device, plus easy moving when required.

Powered by four “C” size Alkaline or rechargeable batteries, or with an included AC adapter, the VersaCorder is well worth the MSRP of $109.95 US. It’s available from C. Crane by visiting the company website, www.ccrane.com . When you visit C. Crane online, be sure to check out the CCRadioplus, too. If you love late-night radio like me, this radio will pull in even the most distant stations and provide you with endless amounts of news and entertainment.