I am in the process of transcribing interviews that I have taped on a
standard audiocassette tape with a Marantz portable cassette recorder,
Model PMD 201/221. It is difficult for me to stop and start manually
while typing into my computer, so I am trying to buy, on-line, a
product that will allow me to control the tape recorder with a foot
pedal. Ideally, this foot pedal would not only let me start, stop and
rewind, but also allow me to slow the playback so that I could more
easily listen and respond to what the interviewee is saying. I am
wondering if this even exists? If I could only find this function by
ditching my current tape recorder and purchasing a new system, I'd be
willing to, but I need the tape recorder to be portable.

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Request for Question Clarification by redhoss-ga on 10 Jan 2005 06:18 PST

How about using available software to make a digital copy of your
tapes on your computer.

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Clarification of Question by nutshape-ga on 10 Jan 2005 07:07 PST

As long as I can travel with my tape recorder/cassettes and then come
back and somehow get it into a word document that I can edit, that
would be fine. I use an Apple ibook.

I had a real good idea until you said that you have an "apple ibook". Sorry.

Yes, it's called a transcriber. It is platform independent.
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=rr830&btnG=Search+Froogle
About $200. 

This is a free comment.

Just adding to crythias, this is available in UK :-

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=OE04057&N=401

And if you can find a retailer, this (these) is same item on the Sanyo web site.:-

http://www.sanyodictation.co.uk/en/analogue/LT8080.php
http://www.sanyodictation.co.uk/en/analogue/RLT8080.php

There are also digital recorders which can interface with a computer
but couldn?t find one with a footswitch so I haven?t listed any.

Best

Just be careful. I *think* the PMD201/221 uses standard cassettes. You
will want to be certain not to get a microcassette transcriber if you
are using standard cassettes.

BTW, the PMD201/221 does have a "Pause" jack. This two conductor,
usually 3/32" plug such as
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=274-290
can be used with a foot pedal, maybe like
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=42-4053
Although the foot pedal has a 1/4" connector, it's easy enough to chop
it off and attach it to the 3/32" adapter.

What this will do: allow you to pause (start/stop) your current
player. No rewind, no fast forward, no slow (although I understand
your recorder has an option of a different speed). It also has the
benefit of costing just about $15 and a little time.

It is a bit obscure, but I *think* it's the best your own unit is
capable of handling.

Another free comment.