r/Microcassette

Short version: this appears to be modeled directly after a Sony M-470 Microcassette recorder, and I'm curious about what year that particular recorder would have first been produced.

Slightly longer version for context: Folklore is a PS3 game from 2007 with a lot of fascinating little details and extra care, despite being an extremely niche title that was obscure even when released. I've been digging into a lot of those details and discovered that, for instance, the typewriter featured in the opening cutscene is a specific model from 1979. I'm curious about whether this recorder aligns at all with that date range. I'm really enamored with the fact that specific pieces of technology were near flawlessly reproduced for this fairly unknown game, and I've been really enjoying getting to appreciate the devs' hard work- so any info about this recorder would be appreciated, but especially an initial release date, if possible.

Thanks to anyone who might have a lead :)

An absolute unicorn of vintage audio history! 🦄

Finally completed this absolute holy grail setup!

This is the SANYO RD-XM1, famously known as the world’s smallest front-loading cassette deck. Released around 1980, Sanyo engineered this tiny beast to turn the humble dictation microcassette into a legitimate high-fidelity stereo format. It packs serious engineering into a tiny chassis:

-True 2-Motor Drive with full logic transport controls. -Type IV (Metal) Tape Support utilizing a high-precision Sendust head.

-Dolby NR noise reduction.

I’ve finally managed to piece the whole kit together: the deck itself, the ultra-rare SANYO MC-46ME Metal Microcassettes, the original Instruction Manual, and the full Service Manual!

My question to the community: Is this the rarest Sanyo combo out there? I know they made some obscure gear, but finding the deck with the matching metal tapes and both manuals feels like peak unobtanium. What do you think?

Okay I KNOW this subreddit doesn't show microcassete's well, but... I need this, please. I have batteries in the microcassete, I'm almost certain it's on, VAS mode is also on, but it just won't record. It's weird because whenever I go to the reverse mode it does it, but no sound comes from it. The video is better at explaining than i am