CONVERTING FROM CD’S & AUDIO
CASSETTES TO MP3 ON A FLASH DRIVE
~
TASCAM’s CD-A580….
©
2018 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
CD’s and audiocassette
formats are quickly disappearing, as are the devices to play them back. Perhaps
they will return like vinyl appears to be doing, but what are we to do with our
collections in the meantime? TASCAM, a well-respected manufacturer of
professional electronic products, may have a quick and easy solution. Yes, I
know one can do something similar with software on a computer, but remember, I
said, “a quick and easy solution”.
The TASCAM CD-A580 is an all-in-one deck that incorporates a CD player,
an audiocassette player/recorder, a USB port and an MP3 converter. The concept
of this unique device is to permit transferring pre-recorded material from
either of these formats, converting them to MP3 and then transferring them up
to as large as a 32gb USB flash drive. (A 32gb drive can store as many as 8000+
tunes using the TASCAM at its preset bit rate of 128Kbps.) The process is
simple. Insert a flash drive, up to 32gb, into the USB port. (Tascam does offer
a list of tested flash drives, however, non-listed ones will probably work
too.) Place a CD or audiocassette in the respective drawer, select the source
by depressing the source selection button and watch the display to verify your
selection. Now, wait about fifteen seconds and then press the USB RECORD
button. A red indicator light will remain lit when the system is actually
recording. If the unit is still preparing for the transfer, the light will
continue flashing, so depress repeatedly until you see a solid light. The
source automatically starts at the beginning of the first selection and
continues thru all the cuts stopping after the last cut has played. In the case
of audiocassettes there could be some dead time since there is no set standard
lead-in as there is for CD’s. The various recordings will automatically be
converted to the MP3 standard thus allowing for a vast number of tunes to be
stored on the drive. Since the CD
material already has a set digital sound level, the same level is maintained in
the transfer eliminating the need for control by the user. For analogue source
material, including audiocassettes, a level control is provided. Peaking analogue sourced material should be at
no more than 6 to prevent overloading and distortion on the flash drive. Once
the desired material is recorded on to the flash drive I transferred all the
files over to a folder on my computer as a backup and for purposes of labeling
the disc or song titles. When the labeling is completed you can easily transfer
the material back to the drive still keeping a copy on the computer for
safekeeping.
A word about MP3 quality.
MP3 bit rates range from 96 to 320 kilobytes per second (Kbps). The TASCAM CD-A580 records at a bit rate of
128Kbps that results in the sound quality equivalent to what you’d hear on the
radio. My tests show that this quality is fine for listening to music on
headsets or a stereo system by most people. The older you get the less
frequency range your ears can discern anyway. Young people, who don’t’ diminish
their hearing by listening to constant loud noises, can hear better than older
ones. Sad to say most young people don’t have better hearing due to the loud
noises they subject themselves to at an early age, especially with the use of
headsets. For the rest of us, recordings made on the TASCAM CD-A580 should be just fine for our listening pleasure.
(TIP: The TASCAM CD-A580 also has a
line input thus allowing an external source such as a turntable to be used as
an originating source. Remember, turntables require a preamp unless one is already
built in to the turntable you are using. Newer models may have this feature,
but older ones generally do not.)
(TIP: Many new automobile sound
systems now include a USB port that often times is located in the center
console, or in the entertainment control cluster. My Toyota Prius has it in the
center console’s front panel.
To avoid having the flash drive sticking out and being
subjected to breakage, I use a right angle USB adapter. Make sure you check the
configuration of the adapter end that you will be interfacing with the car’s
USB port so you can keep the stick pointing in a downward direction.
The TASCAM CD-A580
comes with a wireless remote, front panel headphone jack with independent
volume control, stereo output jacks on the back panel and rack mount ears,
screws included, that can easily be detached. A front-panel “pitch” control is
included allowing the correction of audiocassette source recordings slightly
off pitch. The analogue recording process is not well explained in the manual. It’s
assumed you already know the operation. This is a common problem with manuals
from the Orient. Some test recordings may be necessary before making a final analogue
transfer. You’ll also notice that the various function control buttons for
controlling either the CD, tape or USB sources are scattered and bunched up
making it a bit confusing for the first time user. I had to call Tech support
for analogue source operation assistance (323.726.0303). Multi-voltage models
are available for the European market. I found this unit to be perfect for
transferring my 350+ CD collection after mastering its operation. The benefits
far outweigh any negatives. Now I can play any of the titles back on a player
the size of a pack of cigarettes without changing the media. More about this in
a future column.
(TIP: You can also obtain 32gb
type “C” flash drives in a reduced physical size to minimize the physical
length of the stick. One such model is the SanDisk “Cruzer Fit”.)
(TIP: IMPORTANT
~ All prerecorded music is copyrighted. Transferring your
obsolete collection that you own to a digital flash drive for your own
personal, non-commercial, use is not considered a violation. Distributing this
in any form, or selling any or all of the content can result in prosecution under
federal and international copyright laws.)
MSRP: $399.00
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★
For more information go to:
Graphic credits: Manufacturer
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or
followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the
latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the
products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not
those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally
supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other
compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he
feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason
for many superior ratings.
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