Cassette Machines: The Scoop
Consumer-grade cassette players and recorders changed the music industry. With these machines, people were able to record music off of the radio, make copies of legally purchased music (to distribute to friends, and sometimes to sell as bootlegs), and even record and distribute their own music cheaply. As a lot of people relied on their friends to make copies of music for them, people started going to the stores less and less to buy music. On the other hand, equipment like boomboxes helped shape the hip-hop subculture (breakdancing, for example). The Walkman allowed people to listen to music and the radio on-the-go, but at the same time created what International Research Center for Japanese Studies Professor Shuhei Hosokawa called the "Walkman effect," where people listening to music through headphones could gain more control over their environment. Lastly, cassette machines helped education: audio books released on tape were popular, and they offered otherwise idle people a story. Additionally, language learners also found the easy recording features of cassette machines useful. Enjoy the collection of the Ethan Museum below.
Cassette Machines: The Collection
Aiwa Radio Cassette Player TX694 (circa 2001)
This cassette player features 30 radio presets, auto-reverse, Dolby B noise reduction, AM, FM, and 2 TV tuners. On this specific one, the cassette player doesn't work.
JVC Radio Cassette Recorder RC-W301 (circa 2000)
This cassette recorder features an AM, FM, and FM stereo tuner, normal and high speed dubbing, a microphone for recording, and two decks. Also has a small mixer. Works well. If you'd like to see a demo, watch the video below.
Sony Stereo Cassette Deck TC-WR730 (circa 1987)
This is a nice machine that has two decks, high and normal speed dubbing, auto pause, adjustable recording levels, Automatic Music Search (finds the next song on the tape on its own), a recording mute/pause feature (puts a five second space between songs while recording), a counter (deck B), automatic tape selection in deck A and tape selector buttons (Deck B), a VU/ Decibel Meter, a timer feature (Deck B), Dolby B&C NR, auto-reverse, and relay play (after one tape stops the next one starts).
Sony Walkman WM-FX281 (circa 2000)
This Walkman features preset stations, AM/FM/TV/Weather band tuning, an anti-rolling mechanism (so the tape doesn't move while running, for example), and a hold switch. The radio on this specific one has some issues. The cassette player more or less works.