Olympus

Olympus Pearlcorder L400

Pearlcorder L400Produced 1992–Olympus Olympus Pearlcorder L400 family

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The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 is a microcassette voice recorder. The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 was released in 1992. The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 is one of the world's smallest microcassette recorders, measuring 73 x 52 x 20 mm and weighing 3.2 oz.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Fig. — Manufacturer logo, not a photo of this toolWikimedia Commons (see file page for license)

Produced

1992–

Node / era

Pearlcorder L400

Power

1.5V DC, one AAA battery^[3]

How it works

The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 uses a capstan-drive mechanism for tape transport. The recorder supports two tape speeds: 2.4 cm/s and 1.2 cm/s. A VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator) system provides voice-activated recording with continuously adjustable sensitivity. Auto reverse allows uninterrupted recording or playback by automatically switching tape sides. An LCD displays tape direction, operation mode, and a tape counter. The device accepts a single AAA battery and has a rated maximum output of 100 mW.^[3]^[1]

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical7

Frequency range: 400-4,000 Hz at 2.4 cm/s, 400-2,700 Hz at 1.2 cm/s^[3]
Power source: 1.5V DC, one AAA battery^[3]
Frequency range: 400-4,000 Hz at 2.4 cm/sec.; 400-2,700 Hz at 1.2 cm/sec.^[3]
Power source: Rated voltage 1.5V DC^[3]
External power source: "AAA" battery voltage conversion adapter AC1 and the AC adapter A317^[3]
Battery: One 1.5 V AAA penlight battery^[3]
External power source: AAA battery voltage conversion adapter AC1 and AC adapter A317^[3]

Wafer handling3

Type: Microcassette voice recorder^[2]2 sources
Tape: Microcassette^[3]
Format: Microcassette^[3]

Control & software3

VCVA: Variable Control Voice Actuator with continuous adjustment of voice actuation level using volume knob^[3]
Recording system: Automatic recording level adjustment system VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator)^[3]
Notable features: Easy-to-read LCD, voice actuation, auto reverse, remote control capability^[3]

Dimensions & facilities5

Dimensions (L × H × W): 2.9 × 0.8 × 2.0 in^[2]
Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.0 x 0.8 in / 73 x 52 x 20 mm^[3]
Weight: 3.2 oz (90 g) without battery^[3]
Dimensions (alternate): 74 x 51 x 20 mm^[1]
Weight (alternate): 91 g without battery^[1]

Configuration & options23

Tracks: 2 tracks, 1 channel monophonic^[3]
Drive system: Capstan drive^[3]
Tape speed: 2.4 cm/s and 1.2 cm/s^[3]
Recording system: Automatic recording level adjustment system^[3]
Speaker: 2.3cm round-type dynamic speaker^[3]
Microphone jack: 2.5 mm, 1.2 kΩ^[1]
Earphone jack: 2.5 mm, 8 Ω^[1]
Max output: 100 mW^[3]
Battery life: approx. 5 hours recording (alkaline-manganese battery)^[3]
Recording time: Up to 3 hours (MC-90 at 1.2 cm/s)^[1]
Notable features: VCVA voice activation, auto reverse, LCD counter, capstan drive^[1]
Type: Voice recorder^[1]
Release year: 1992^[1]
Tape speed: 2.4 cm/sec. and 1.2 cm/sec.^[3]
MIC jack: 2.5 mm, impedance 1.2 kΩ^[3]
Earphone jack: 2.5 mm, impedance 8 Ω^[3]
Max output: 100 mW at 2.4 cm/sec.^[3]
Battery life: Approx. 5 hours in recording mode with alkaline-manganese battery^[3]
Battery: One 1.5 "AAA" penlight battery^[3]
Notable features: Voice activation, auto reverse, LCD counter, capstan drive^[1]
VCVA: Continuous adjustment of voice actuation level using volume knob^[3]
MIC jack: 2.5 mm f, impedance 1.2 W^[3]
Earphone jack: 2.5 mm f, impedance 8 W^[3]

Vintage & configurations

1992Production start^[1]
Released in 1992

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Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

Frequency range400-4,000 Hz at 2.4 cm/s, 400-2,700 Hz at 1.2 cm/s^[3]
Power source1.5V DC, one AAA battery^[3]
Frequency range400-4,000 Hz at 2.4 cm/sec.; 400-2,700 Hz at 1.2 cm/sec.^[3]
Power sourceRated voltage 1.5V DC^[3]
External power source"AAA" battery voltage conversion adapter AC1 and the AC adapter A317^[3]
BatteryOne 1.5 V AAA penlight battery^[3]
External power sourceAAA battery voltage conversion adapter AC1 and AC adapter A317^[3]

Where are the manuals?

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Not publicly documented

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Frequently asked questions

What recording medium does the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 use?

The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 uses microcassette tape.^[3]

Does the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 support voice activation?

The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 supports voice actuation with adjustable sensitivity.^[3]

Does the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 have auto reverse?

The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 has auto reverse for uninterrupted recording or playback from one side to the other.^[3]

What power source does the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 use?

The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 uses one AAA battery.^[3]

What are the tape speeds of the Olympus Pearlcorder L400?

The Olympus Pearlcorder L400 uses tape speeds of 2.4 cm/sec. and 1.2 cm/sec.^[3]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool
The control-system platform and OS era of the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 are on record.
Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the Olympus Pearlcorder L400 are on record.
Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist