Digital Cassettes

[Mike Stranks]

Anyone else picked-up on the story that there's a new development in the world of the tape-cassette?

Apparently, because of the revival in interest and some in the biz singing their praises - resulting in a 'trend' - some of the major players are investigating/trialling a system whereby the tape would be replaced by solid-state storage. You could still use your old and venerated cassette recorder/player, as the digital cassette would have a sensor that presses against the record head when record/play is pressed and the transfer would be magnetic - as for tape...

Seems like a lot of unnecessary fuss to me, but that's what 'trends' do, I guess...

[MarkOne]

I seem to remember when iPods and Zunes were hanging off everyone's belt, there were a number of companies selling cassette adapters so you could play your iPod in the car stereo (Aux in being a rarity back then)

Same thing an inductive coupler that sat against the tape head, some preamp and EQ to make the response reasonably flat, and then a 3.5mm jack lead for the iPod.

I have distant memories of having one I picked up at Maplin back then.

I have no fond memories of it sounding any good!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Easy to do, technically, but it seems to be missing the point of the format's popularity.

Presumably, solid state memory plus battery plus D-A plus inductive coupling is cheaper and easier to produce than making rusty sellotape and winding it into plastic shells.

[FrankF]

"Rusty sellotape", nice one, squire!

Ever considered a career in marketing?

[Hugh Robjohns]

[Wonks]

Is this a product of today's date?

[Wonks]

Here's one from JHS pedals on a battery simulator pedal.

https://youtu.be/OGtaO9_oQlI

[Drew Stephenson]

Is this a product of today's date?

This was, and remains, my immediate suspicion.

[The Elf]

[rha]

Had me going. People are actually using cassette though! Beyond messing about with something found in the back of a cupboard why would anyone do that?!

[Tim Gillett]

A fellow I know I know who lectures in audio said he once asked his youngish class how many had purchased cassettes from bands at the live gigs they'd been to.. Many hands shot up. Then he asked how many had a means of playing them. No hands went up.

As for digital audio cassettes that started professionally around 1970 (Umatic PCM), then for consumers in the 80's (DAT), then another type recording digitally to basically the old Compact Cassette invented 1964) in I think the 90's.

The old induction into the tape player idea would work but you still need a half functioning cassette player and most of them have gone to landfill. Besides even if you did still have an old cassette player or deck what would be the point? Why not play memory cards or sticks with modern gear specifically designed to play them? Sounds a bit like a solution looking for a problem.

But there can be a problem with the extreme miniaturisation of flash memory cards: easily lost, difficult to handle and plug in especially if your hands and fingers arent nimble, or nimble any more, and difficult for blind people, most of whom are elderly anyway. There's a special audio book format for the blind and print handicapped which encases the small card in a larger plastic card with a more robust connector for use in a special robust audio player. The card can withstand a run in the washing machine without damage. Now that seems like a practical idea.

[ManFromGlass]

I’m holding out for digital LPs!