Cassette Tape MP3 Player

I've been trying for some time to come up with a mod for the cassette tape. Initially I thought it would be cool if I could stick a voice recorder into one of those tiny cassette tapes that used to be used in message machines (trying to ironic!) but it was way too small.

Then I hit upon using one as an MP3 player. Surprisingly, no-one has completed one yet as an 'ible so I decided to go down this path. The hardest part was trying to find the right MP3 to be able to mod. I finally found this MP3 Player on Ebay which fits really well into a cassette tape once the insides are removed.

The only changes you'll have to do is a bit of trimming to the cassette tape with a dremmel, a little bit of soldering and some design work and your done.

So in the name of irony, I present to you this Cassette Tape MP3 Player.

Enjoy.

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Things to Gather.

$(KGrHqN,!icE6L5!p-b1BOom8uI2Rw~~60_3[1].jpg

Material

1. Cassette Tape (get a few of these if you can, I found mine at a second hand shop, about the only place you can get them now. Make sure it uses screws to hold the case together.
2. Labels - These are used to add your own images to the cassette tape
3. MP3 player. Can be found on EBay.
4. 4 momentary push buttons. These you will pull apart and use as replacement switches.
5. Thin black plastic. i.e. from a oil container

Tools

1. Dremmel
2. Screwdriver
3. Drill
4. Stanley knife
5. Hot glue gun
6. Sharp scissors~

NightLord says: Apr 13, 2013. 1:58 AM

To smo prijatelji, ansambel Lojzeta Slaka :)
Are you Slovenian or just have Slovenian ancestors?

Michael_Bell says: Mar 6, 2013. 8:36 PM

You should use an 3g ipod shuffle(the one with no buttons), you need one slide switch and a headphone plug, nice and easy :)

Falkenberg says: Feb 10, 2013. 1:19 AM

Great work.

martzsam says: Feb 5, 2013. 5:19 PM

I love everything about this. You have my vote.

lonesoulsurfer (author) in reply to martzsamFeb 9, 2013. 7:30 PM

Thanks dude

depotdevoid says: Feb 9, 2013. 12:32 PM

Great build! I tried to make something like this a few years ago, but the mp3 player I had turned out to be too big . . . this is way better looking than mine would have turned out anyway!

lonesoulsurfer (author) in reply to depotdevoidFeb 9, 2013. 7:30 PM

Thanks man. Some of the MP3 players you can get these days are tiny. Really made the job easy.

Bom6at says: Jan 20, 2013. 5:59 AM

Well done!

lonesoulsurfer (author) in reply to Bom6atJan 22, 2013. 4:54 PM

Thanks dude

Georgews says: Jan 20, 2013. 6:21 AM

In the future, grab a cassette adapter and do the same mod but connect the adapters magnetic head to the audio out of the mp3 player. or buy this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RUGC1M?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

jwflammer in reply to GeorgewsJan 21, 2013. 8:51 AM

We do not buy........... "WE MAKE!!"

lonesoulsurfer (author) in reply to jwflammerJan 22, 2013. 4:54 PM

And mod ; )

paewookyung says: Jan 22, 2013. 4:48 AM

What a neat project!

BTW, can you tell what headphone you're using on the first picture?

lonesoulsurfer (author) in reply to paewookyungJan 22, 2013. 4:53 PM

There called "muse" and I got them from Borders Aust before they went kaput.

dokcal says: Jan 21, 2013. 12:39 PM

REALLY clever! I'm wondering if I could fit a small OLED-equipped player (like a Sansa Clip) so that the OLED would be visible through the tape window!

Winged Fist says: Jan 20, 2013. 2:59 PM

What a great idea! And really nice 'ible! I just hope you digitized Paul Robeson before you started;-)

knakamoto says: Jan 20, 2013. 11:35 AM

So...how do you put in the USB port?

lonesoulsurfer (author) in reply to knakamotoJan 20, 2013. 12:52 PM

Good question!
The headphone jack hole is also used as a USB port. You get a special cord for this with the MP3. It means less holes in the cassette tape which is a good thing.