Tascam 122mkIII Cassette Deck

This Tascam 122mkIII is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B/C and HX-Pro noise reduction, it was first sold by Tascam in 1994 with a recommended retail price of USD $1,460 and discontinued 12 years later in 2006.

The main features of the Tascam 122mkIII are: 3 heads and no off-tape monitoring to save production cost, digital linear tape counter with 4 digits, manual tape type selection and capable of handling normal, chrome and metal tapes, single capstan transport.

Typical front loading cassette deck with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed with the side to be played facing forward in the cassette well.

Level meters used on the 122mkIII are analog needle VU reading meters. Full-logic transport controls used on the 122mkIII let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection. Playback speed may be adjusted with pitch control. Cue and review can be used to easily and quickly locate the beginning of a passage.

To ensure the best response from the wide variety of tapes available adjustment of, bias and sensitivity, to optimum levels can be performed prior to recording.

Dolby C-type used in the 122mkIII provides 20 dB of noise reduction above about 1,000 Hz, fully doubling the amount given by B-type. The Dolby HX PRO system provides precise bias control during recording to reduce distortion and improve linearity in the high-frequency range, the result is recorded sound that is highly faithful to the original. The 19kHz multiplex pilot slgnal present in FM stereo broadcasts can cause false triggering of the noise reduction system. The switchable MPX filter of the 122mkIII filters out the pilot signal, and assuring proper Dolby processing of FM stereo programs.

For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA/XLR or 1/4 inch cable and recording from a source by a RCA or XLR cable. All main transport commands can be issued remotely with a wired remote control.

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