Tascam AP-10 Half-Rack 2-Channel SD Announcement Player with GPIO and OSC Control

The Tascam AP-10 is a compact half-rack, two-channel SD card player for automated announcements and background audio. Contact signals on its GPIO port or OSC commands over Ethernet start playback, so control panels, sensors, timers, signage and control systems can trigger messages in commercial facilities, theme parks and amusement facilities, factories, train stations, airports and offices.

Five Playback Modes

• Direct: plays the file assigned to an input as soon as the signal arrives, for exhibit audio guides, sensor-triggered announcements and interactive content.
• Single: plays only the highest-priority file when several inputs arrive, for emergency announcements, fault alerts and facility guidance.
• Interval: repeats playback automatically at a set interval, for promotions, regular announcements and warnings.
• Binary: selects from up to 250 files using combinations of input signals, for multilingual guidance, area-specific broadcasts and large message libraries.
• Program: plays files in a preset sequence, for exhibition tours, work-procedure guidance and scenario-based presentations.

GPIO and OSC Control

The D-sub 25-pin GPIO port has 10 control inputs for switches, relays, sensors and timers with volt-free contact or open-collector outputs. In Direct, Single and Interval modes, inputs 1 to 9 each start their own file. Volt-free contact outputs send a busy signal during playback, which can switch on an amplifier or lights only while a file plays. A control-out signal fires when playback completes, for example to turn on lights or close doors. The same port supplies +5 V for a sensor and accepts 12 to 24 V DC to power the AP-10 without its AC adapter.

The Ethernet port carries OSC, so a tablet or PC running TouchOSC or a similar app can control playback and link the AP-10 with video and lighting equipment. Tascam offers TouchOSC templates as a download. The front-panel controls work independently of external control, so essential audio can still be played from the unit if the control system goes down.

Content and Playlists

The AP-10 plays 48 kHz/24-bit WAV files, stereo or mono, from SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512 GB. The free TASCAM Playlist Editor for Windows and macOS converts audio files to that format and builds playlists offline, with per-file volume, start and end points, playback interval, fade-in and fade-out, trigger-start delay, repeat count and interval, and A-B repeat range and count. The front USB-C port connects to a computer and opens the SD card as a mass-storage drive, with direct access to its playlists and audio files.

Dual Mono, Ducking and EQ

Dual-mono mode uses the left and right channels as two independent outputs, so one AP-10 can play two programs at the same time: announcements for two areas, multilingual guidance, or background music on one channel and announcements on the other. The RCA line input brings in background music from another source, and ducking lowers it automatically while an announcement plays. A 4-band playback EQ, a 2-band output EQ and an adjustable output level are built in.

Built for Unattended Use

Power-on Play starts audio at power-up based on the state of the contact inputs, so the day's background music can begin as soon as the system is switched on. The metal chassis has a protective SD card cover that guards against accidental removal and dust, a Euroblock safety holder that keeps cables in place during vibration or maintenance, and a panel lock that blocks accidental or unauthorized setting changes.

Mounting

The AP-10 is a 1U half-rack unit. The optional AK-RM05 rackmount kit fits it in a rack or on the top or underside of a shelf, and the optional AK-RS1 1U rack shelf is a second rack option.

Specifications

• Media: SD (512 MB to 2 GB), SDHC (4 to 32 GB) and SDXC (64 to 512 GB) cards, Class 10 or higher, formatted in the AP-10
• Playback format: WAV, 48 kHz/24-bit (LPCM), stereo or mono
• Maximum file size: 2 GB
• Maximum number of files: 999, including folders
• Balanced outputs: Euroblock (L/R), 3.81 mm pitch, +4 dBu rated, +24 dBu maximum
• Unbalanced outputs: RCA (L/R), -10 dBV rated, +6 dBV maximum
• Line input: RCA (L/R), unbalanced, -10 dBV rated, +6 dBV maximum
• Headphones: 1/4" stereo jack, 20 mW + 20 mW or higher into 32 Ω
• GPIO: D-sub 25-pin female with 4-40 UNC locking screws; 10 control inputs (photocoupler, volt-free contact or open collector, 20 ms minimum pulse); volt-free contact outputs up to DC 30 V, 3 A; +5 V output up to 100 mA
• Ethernet: RJ-45, 100BASE-TX, OSC on port 5000, Cat 5e or better cable
• USB: Type-C, USB 2.0 High Speed, mass storage for SD card access
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±1.0 dB
• Distortion: 0.008% or less
• S/N ratio: 93 dB or higher
• Dynamic range: 90 dB or higher
• Channel separation: 90 dB or higher at 1 kHz
• Power: TASCAM PS-P1220E AC adapter (included), or 12 to 24 V DC through the GPIO port
• Power consumption: 4 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 214.0 x 44.2 x 165.2 mm without protrusions, 214.0 x 46.5 x 181.7 mm with protrusions
• Weight: 1.2 kg
• Operating temperature: 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)

In the Box

• AP-10
• TASCAM PS-P1220E AC adapter
• SD card protector kit
• 2 Euroblock plugs
• 3 cable ties
• TASCAM ID registration guide
• Owner's Manual (Basic Operation)