A stylish basic cassette that became a long seller. Normal Position. Since 1972.
LOW-NOISE, 1972
30 minutes - ¥350 / 60 minutes - ¥450 / 90 minutes - ¥700 / 120 minutes - ¥950.
Cardboard box: 30 minutes - ¥300 / 60 minutes - ¥400 / 90 minutes - ¥650 / 120 minutes - ¥900.
Large recording-time numerals in a designed typeface, together with vivid colors. The placement of the logo and product name was carefully considered too, giving the packaging Sony’s characteristic stylishness. The cassette itself also had a refined appearance: a smoky shell (except C120) and black internal sheets.
LL, 1973
Price: ???.
A cassette specifically for LL (Language Laboratory). In the 1970s, language schools called “SONY LL” existed in various places; perhaps this product was connected with them. Whether to match lesson lengths or because thicker tape was used to withstand repeated use, it had an unusually short recording time of 40 minutes for both sides combined.
Explanatory Note
This basic-grade product appeared in 1972 as the successor to “COMPACT CASSETTE.” At the time, it was becoming common to call high-grade cassettes “LH” (Low Noise, High Output) and basic-grade ones “LN” (Low Noise). The product name appears to have come from that terminology.
The packaging was redesigned around stylized recording-time numerals, creating a bright and stylish impression. White was the base color, with additional colors according to recording time. The plastic case was initially a stylish white as well.
For a while after release, as with the previous product, foil for “Auto-Sensor” was attached to the leader tape. A minor change in 1975 omitted the foil and changed the leader tape to colors corresponding to recording time. The plastic case material was also changed to black.
It remained a long seller for about six years and became one of the representative models of the 1970s.