cassette player modification

[J. Lee Williams, Jr.]

Hi!

I'm attempting to add an auxilliary input to a factory radio in a 2004
Mazda 6 with an in-dash cd changer and modular cassette deck. As far
as I know, no company is yet manufacturing a solution for adding
Aux-INs to this head unit.

My question is this-

Would it be possible to tap into the cassette deck (which never gets
used) behind the actual tape mechanism and modify it to accept a
standard RCA line level signal? I'd like to avoid using a tape
adaptor if possible.

 

[Bob Masta]

On 20 Nov 2004 22:17:21 -0800, jleewilliamsjr@charter.net (J. Lee
Williams, Jr.) wrote:

Hi!

I'm attempting to add an auxilliary input to a factory radio in a 2004
Mazda 6 with an in-dash cd changer and modular cassette deck. As far
as I know, no company is yet manufacturing a solution for adding
Aux-INs to this head unit.

My question is this-

Would it be possible to tap into the cassette deck (which never gets
used) behind the actual tape mechanism and modify it to accept a
standard RCA line level signal? I'd like to avoid using a tape
adaptor if possible.

If this unit has real potentiometer volume controls, then this
is probably electrically a simple task. In most situations,
the volume control sits just ahead of the power amp stage,
which expects to see (approximately) a line-level signal
coming from the preamp (tape or whatever). So you can
locate the control and do what you want. You can disconnect
the input (the pin that the wiper would touch if rotated fully
clockwise) and connect it to your aux input, or you can put
in a switch, a mixer, whatever. Note, of course, that there
will be two controls in tandem for stereo. (The opposite
pin of the control is ground, the middle is the wiper.)

If it's a digital control, all bets are off.

And even if it's a real potentiometer, the chances are
that this will be a mechanically difficult job. They don't
make consumer products with the idea that they will
ever be worked on. Plan to bend alot of little sheet
metal tabs, and learn some colorful language!

Hope this helps!



Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com

 

[Rich Grise]

On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 15:04:07 +0000, Bob Masta wrote:

On 20 Nov 2004 22:17:21 -0800, jleewilliamsjr@charter.net (J. Lee
Williams, Jr.) wrote:

Hi!

I'm attempting to add an auxilliary input to a factory radio in a 2004
Mazda 6 with an in-dash cd changer and modular cassette deck. As far
as I know, no company is yet manufacturing a solution for adding
Aux-INs to this head unit.

My question is this-

Would it be possible to tap into the cassette deck (which never gets
used) behind the actual tape mechanism and modify it to accept a
standard RCA line level signal? I'd like to avoid using a tape
adaptor if possible.

If this unit has real potentiometer volume controls, then this
is probably electrically a simple task. In most situations,
the volume control sits just ahead of the power amp stage,
which expects to see (approximately) a line-level signal
coming from the preamp (tape or whatever). So you can
locate the control and do what you want. You can disconnect
the input (the pin that the wiper would touch if rotated fully
clockwise) and connect it to your aux input, or you can put
in a switch, a mixer, whatever. Note, of course, that there
will be two controls in tandem for stereo. (The opposite
pin of the control is ground, the middle is the wiper.)

If it's a digital control, all bets are off.

And even if it's a real potentiometer, the chances are
that this will be a mechanically difficult job. They don't
make consumer products with the idea that they will
ever be worked on. Plan to bend alot of little sheet
metal tabs, and learn some colorful language!

Hope this helps!

I'd think that he could go directly to the head wires, with a proper
attenuator. But I'm a "Real Hacker", so I do some pretty brave stuff to my
equipment!

Good Luck!
Rich