During Musikmesse 2011, Tascam announced the MD-CD1mkIII, a new combo CD player / MiniDisc recorder.

The MD-CD1mkIII includes a CD player and MiniDisc recorder transport, each of which can be operated independently. Individual inputs and outputs are also available for each, plus a "common" output containing both signals. Each transport has both a coaxial and optical S/PDIF output, and the MiniDisc has coax and optical inputs.

An optional LA-MC1 balancing kit offers balanced XLR inputs and outputs to the MD-CD1mkIII when required. You can control the MD-CD1mkIII with a wireless remote, RS-232C, or a PS / 2 keyboard.

The CD transport supports pitch change from -50 percent to +16 percent speed, and CD Text is displayed on the unit. Most CD disc formats and play modes are supported, and a digital output level can be employed with fade in and fade out.

CD features:

• Applicable discs: audio CD / CD-R / CD-RW / CD-ROM (MP3 / WAV)
• CD-text display (Stop: Disc title, Play: Track title)
• ID3 tag display (Song title)
• -50 to +16% pitch control with selectable steps (0.1 to 1%) for audio CD
• +/-6 semitone key control in semi-tone steps for audio CD
• Key control without affecting playback speed
• Various playback modes: all / single / program (up to 99 tracks) / random
• Various repeat modes: all / single / program (up to 99 tracks) / random / A-B
• Auto cue (-72 to -24 dB in 6 dB steps)
• Auto ready
• Digital volume on output (-infinity, -54 to +18 dB)
• Fade in / out playback (1 to 30 seconds in 1 second steps)
• EOM (End of message) for indicate the end of track or disc (1 to 99 seconds in 1 second steps)
• Time search by numeric keys on remote controller
• Power on play
• Time display mode: track elapsed / track remain / disc elapsed / disc remain (when playing the MP3 file or WAV file: track elapsed)
• Directory play mode for MP3 discs or WAV discs
• RCA unbalanced analog output
• S/PDIF optical digital output
• S/PDIF coaxial digital output
• Remote control by PS / 2 keyboard

The MiniDisc section supports recording in SP, MONO, LP2 and LP4 modes, and it can mix modes on one disc. In addition, the MD-CD1mkII can dub from CD to MiniDisc at up to 4x speed, and continuous playback is available from one transport to the other. Both the CD and MiniDisc include Auto Cue and Auto Ready functions. Packing hours of playback in only 2 rack spaces, the MD-CD1mkIII is the ideal unit for cramped installations requiring the flexibility of MiniDisc.

MiniDisc features:

• Supports SP (stereo) / MONO / LP2 / LP4 modes
• Recording in different mode (ST / MONO / LP2 / LP4) in the disc and playback the disc which contain the different mode of the song is possible
• Edit functions: erase, divide, combine, move, title
• Grouping function and group playback
• Overwrite
• Auto track increment with input audio level and track information data from S/PDIF input
• Manual track increment by pressing the record button during recording
• Sync recording by input audio signal
• Input monitor
• Digital volume on input (-infinity, -54 to +18 dB)
• Fade in and out recording (1 to 30 seconds in 1 second steps)
• Pre recording (off, 1 to 6 seconds in 1 seconds steps)
• Various playback modes: all / single / program (up to 25 tracks) / random / group
• Various repeat modes: all / single / program (up to 25 tracks) / random / A-B
• Auto cue
• Auto ready
• EOM (End of message) for indicate the end of track or disc (1 to 99 seconds in 1 second steps)
• Time search by numeric keys on remote controller
• Power on play
• Time display mode: track elapsed / track remain / disc elapsed / disc remain
• RCA unbalanced analog input and output
• S/PDIF optical digital input and output (SCMS)
• S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output (SCMS)
• Remote control, editing, and title input by PS / 2 keyboard

Combined features:

• Common output for CD and MD output (priority can be set)
• Headphone output with selectable source (MD, CD, or common)
• Dubbing from CD to MD (whole disc or track by track):
  - 4x: in SP mode
  - 2x: in MONO / LP2 / LP4 mode
  - 1x: from MP3 or WAV discs and when CD's pitch control/key control on
• Continuous playback between MD and CD (no limitation)
• Independent operation of MD and CD
• Auto title input from CD-text and ID3 tag
• Wireless remote controller
• RS-232C serial remote control
• LA-MC1 optional balanced I/O card
• 2U rackmount size

For more information on the Tascam MD-CD1mkIII player / MiniDisc recorder, visit tascam.com.