The Backtracker - Reverse Playback, Speed controlled, CV Cassette Player 2023

Not only does this machine have variable speed, but several other unique qualities. Bear with me here. (Demo link below)

So, put your tape in on Side A, press play, modulate the speed. Simple, obvious, sure, but here's the scoop. Pressing the direction button will cause it to reverse the playback of Side A. Back and forth you go, but wait, there's more! Flipping the tiny switch on the bottom right (We'll call it the Flip Switch) will flip the playback side to Side B. So, say you have Side A playing forwards and you flip the Flip switch. Now it's playing in reverse on Side B. Hit that direction button and it plays forwards on Side B. In that state flipping the Flip Switch again will now have it playing in reverse on Side A. Press the direction button and we're back to where we started. It's a bit ridiculous to try to explain this way so just watch the demo.

In that demo, you will also see the CV version in action. I've added 3 CV inputs to this evil doer.

1 for speeding up, 1 for slowing down and one for volume. I'm using some LFO, envelope and gate outputs to control it. It can get pretty wild and if you are creative and intentional about what is recorded on each side, well, yeah. You can take over the world.

BONUS FEATURE!

This is also an MP3 converter and playback device. Any real time or recorded tweaking of the speed & direction functions go right into that conversion. Take a flash recording to your DAW, etc, OR play it back on the deck. When doing this, you can also engage an actual tape and layer the MP3 playback and the cassette playback. Each have their own volume even. I know, I know. Sounds like snake oil, but I assure, it all really works! PLEASE give the demo a watch. It is very thorough, probably overly so and asking me questions that are covered in the demo will likely have me referring you to the above text. I mean, ask away, I'm happy to help if there's still confusion.

*These also will come with the original manual, a short ass USB cable and some very sub-par headphones. Knock yourselves out.

*Please note that these do not record to tape. There is no record button for the cassette element in other words. You're on your own there. I've got other nutty modded decks that also record if you are feeling either needy and/or generous.

*Also, these only take batteries. No wall power access will be granted. Don't hate me. It was a necessary sacrifice for the build.

***You must either remove the batteries or switch the knob off after use or your batteries are toast.

***Please allow up to 3 weeks for your order to be built and shipped. My shops have become very busy and I am a one man band. I do my best to build and ship as fast as possible. If you are in a rush, feel free to contact me. It is likely that something can be worked out. Thanks a ton for your patience. - Trevor