The Volume, Menu/Hold, and Record buttons line the side of the player, exactly where right-handed people would naturally rest their thumbs-sorry, lefties. Controls for play, pause, and scan are largest and live on the front of the player. The buttons are raised from the body but have a low enough profile that they won't snag on clothes or irritate your hand when holding the player for extended periods. We'd prefer a different color on the record button to visually distinguish it from the others, but its placement closer to the back of the player is far enough out of the way to not be engaged accidentally. Controls are tactile, rounded, and easy to remember.
