
MD-CD1MKIII
Combination MiniDisc Recorder/CD Player
TASCAM’s MD-CD1mkIII is the only combination CD and MiniDisc solution for contractors, broadcast and other installations requiring MD-format compatibility. Based on the bestselling MD-CD1, the new model adds new digital I/O, additional file playback from CD, an expanded pitch range for CD playback and more. For space-challenged jobs that need a variety of playback options, the MD-CD1mkIII is the perfect choice.
This model has been discontinued in North, Central and South America.
Please check the availability with your local distributors in other areas.
The CD player on the MD-CD1mkIII supports MP3 and WAV file playback in addition to standard CD or CD-TEXT discs. The MiniDisc can play or record in all major formats: SP, MONO, LP2, and LP4. Discs can be dubbed from CD to MiniDisc at up to 4x speed, and continuous playback can cycle from one transport to the other. Both the CD and MiniDisc include Auto Cue and Auto Ready functions.
On the rear panel, each transport has its own set of unbalanced outputs, plus coaxial and optical S/PDIF digital outs. The MiniDisc section has unbalanced inputs, coaxial and optical digital inputs as well. An optional balancing kit, the LA-MC1, adds XLR balanced I/O to the MD-CD1mkIII. It can be controlled using RS-232C, wireless remote control, or a PS/2 keyboard.
Packing hours of playback in only two rack spaces, the MD-CD1mkIII is the ultimate solution for cramped installations requiring the flexibility of MiniDisc.
Both the CD player and MiniDisc recorder include Auto Cue, Auto Ready, and many other diverse playback functions
The CD player unit can playback audio CDs, as well WAV and MP3 files, and is compatible with CD-R/CD-RW discs. The pitch control that extends to –50% to +16% can be converted using a knob mounted on the front panel, resulting in intuitive and secure adjustment.
The MiniDisc recorder unit supports LP2 and LP4 long-player mode. The enhanced playback functions, including Auto Cue and Auto Ready, are available for both the CD player and the MiniDisc recorder units.

Supports COAXIAL and OPTICAL digital inputs and outputs in addition to unbalanced analog inputs and outputs
In addition to unbalanced analog input and output, COAXIAL and OPTICAL digital inputs and outputs are also included, making the MD-CD1MKIII utilizable in a wide range of scenes, including event halls, stores, broadcasting stations, theme parks, museums, and event venues.
Its compatibility with a RS-232C serial controller enables the MD-CD1MKIII to be installed in locations that require remote control.

Features at a Glance
CD Player section:
- Applicable discs: audio CD / CD-R / CD-RW / CD-ROM (MP3/WAV)
- CD-text display (Stop: Disc title, Play: Track title)
- ID3 tag display (Song title)
- –50 to +16% pitch control with selectable steps (0.1 to 1%) for audio CD
- +/-6 semi-tone key control in semi-tone steps for audio CD
- Key control without affecting playback speed
- Various playback modes: all / single / program (up to 99 tracks) / random
- Various repeat modes: all / signle / program (up to 99 tracks) / random / A-B
- Auto cue (–72 to –24 dB in 6 dB steps)
- Auto ready
- Digital volume on output (–infinity, –54 to +18 dB)
- Fade in/out playback (1 to 30 seconds in 1 second steps)
- EOM (End of message) for indicate the end of track or disc (1 to 99 seconds in 1 second steps)
- Time search by numeric keys on remote controller
- Power on play
- Time display mode: track elapsed / track remain / disc elapsed / disc remain (When playing the MP3 file or WAV file: track elapsed)
- Directory play mode for MP3 discs or WAV discs
- RCA unbalanced analog output
- S/PDIF optical and optical digital outputs
- Remote control by PS/2 keyboard
MiniDisc section:
- Supports SP (stereo) / MONO / LP2 / LP4 modes
- Recording in different mode (ST/MONO/LP2/LP4) in the disc and playback the disc which contain the different mode of the song is possible
- Edit functions: erase, divide, combine, move, title
- Grouping function and group playback
- Overwrite
- Auto track increment with input audio level and track information data from S/PDIF input
- Manual Track increment by pressing the record button during recording
- Sync recording by input audio signal
- Input monitor
- Digital volume on input (-infinity, –54 to +18 dB)
- Fade in and out recording (1 to 30 seconds in 1 second steps)
- Pre recording (off, 1 to 6 seconds in 1 seconds steps)
- Various playback modes: all / single / program (up to 25 tracks) / random / group
- Various repeat modes: all / signle / program (up to 25 tracks) / random / A-B
- Auto cue
- Auto ready
- EOM (End of message) for indicate the end of track or disc (1 to 99 seconds in 1 second steps)
- Time search by numeric keys on remote controller
- Power on play
- Time display mode: track elapsed / track remain / disc elapsed / disc remain
- RCA unbalanced analog input and output
- S/PDIF optical digital input and output (SCMS)
- S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output (SCMS)
- Remote control, editing, and title input by PS/2 keyboard
Combined Features:
- COMMON output for CD and MD output (priority can be set)
- Headphone output with selectable source (MD, CD, or common)
- Dubbing from CD to MD (whole disc or track by track):
- 4×: in SP mode
- 2×: in MONO / LP2 / LP4 mode
- 1×: from MP3 or WAV discs and when CD's pitch control/key control on
- Continuous playback between MD and CD (no limitation)
- Independent operation of MD and CD
- Auto title input from CD-text and ID3 tag
- Wireless remote controller
- RS-232C serial remote control
- LA-MC1 optional balanced I/O card
- 2U rack mount size
Changes for the MD-CD1
- Optical and coaxial S/PDIF output for CD
- Optical and coaxial S/PDIF input and output for MiniDisc
- CD Transport supports MP3 and WAV file playback
- CD pitch control range changed from –16% / +16% to –50% / +16%
- Time track increment added to MiniDisc (A_TRK & A_TRK TIME)
- Infrared remote enable/disable setting added (IR REMOTE)
- Factory preset setting added (F_PRESET)
- Track skip by MULTI JOG dial
- Preference to tell the transport what to do if the MP3 file can’t be played (MP3 ACTION)
- RoHS compliance
Spec description
MD section
Type | Mini Disc recorder |
Discs | Mini Disc format |
Number of channels | 2 channel (stereo) / 1 channel (mono) |
Rec modes | Stereo. Mono/ LP2 / LP4 |
Recording format | Magnetic field modulation overwrite |
Recording time | |
60-min Disc | 60 min (Standard Stereo), 120 min (Mono), 120 min (LP2), 240 min (LP4) |
74-min Discg | 74 min (Standard Stereo), 148 min (Mono), 148 min (LP2), 296 min (LP4) |
80-min Discg | 80 min (Standard Stereo), 160 min (Mono), 160 min (LP2), 320 min (LP4) |
Sampling frequency | 44.1kHz |
Compression system | ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) |
CD Player section
Supported disc | CD / CD-R / CD-RW (12cm / 8cm) |
File system | ISO9660 LEVEL 1/2/ROMEO/JOLIET |
Supported format | |
CD-DA | 44.1kHz, 16-bit, Stereo |
MP3 | 44.1kHz, 32k to 320k bps, or VBR, Stereo, Joint Stereo, Dual channel, Mono |
WAV | 44.1kHz, 16-bit |
General
Inputs/Outputs | |
Analog input (to MD) | |
Connector | RCA Pin jack × 1 pair |
Nominal Input level | –10dBV (0.32Vrms) |
Maximum Input level | +6dBV (2.0Vrms) |
Minimum Input level | –22dBV (0.08Vrms) |
Input impedance | –22kΩ |
Analog output | |
Connector | RCA Pin jack × 1 pair |
Nominal Output level | –10dBV (0.32Vrms) |
Maximum Output level | +6dBV (2.0Vrms) |
Output impedance | 200Ω |
Coaxial digital output | |
Connector | RCA Pin jack × 1 |
Format | OEC-60958-3 (S/PDIF, conforming to SCMS) |
Optical digital output | |
Connector | TOS × 1 (JEITA RC-5720C) |
Format | OEC-60958-3 (S/PDIF, conforming to SCMS) |
Control I/O | |
RS-232C | |
Connector | D-sub 9-pin × 1 |
Communication spec | COnforming to RS-232C protocal 1.00 specifications |
Keyboard | |
Connector | Mini DIN × 1 (for PS/2 keyboard connection) |
Headphone out | |
Connector | 1/4" (6.3mm) Stereo phone jack × 1 |
Nominal output level | 20mW + 20mW (1kHz, THD+N 0.1%, 32Ω) |
Power | AC 120V, 60Hz |
Power Consumption | 22W |
Dimensions (W×H×D) | 19.0" × 3.7" × 12.1" / 483 × 94 × 308 mm |
Weight (Net) | 11.9 lbs. / 5.4 kg |
Operating temperature | 41˚F to 104˚F / 5˚C to 40˚C |
Inclination of installation | 5˚ or less |
Accessories | Power cord, Remote control (RC-MC1), AA batteries × 2, Rack mounting screw kit, Owner’s manual (Warranty card) |
Audio performance
MD section | |
Frequency response | 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.5dB (Play, Rec/Play, JEITA) |
S/N Ratio | 98dB or more (Play, JEITA), 95dB or more (Rec/Play, JEITA) |
Total harmonic distorition | 0.004% or less (Play, JEITA), 0.006% or less (Rec/Play, JEITA) |
Dynamic range | 98dB or more (Play, JEITA), 95dB or more (Rec/Play, JEITA) |
Channel separation | 90dB or more (Play, JEITA), 93dB or more (Rec/Play, JEITA) |
CD section | |
Frequency response | 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.5dB (JEITA) |
S/N Ratio | 100dB or more (JEITA) |
Total harmonic distorition | 0.004% or less (JEITA) |
Dynamic range | 100dB or more (JEITA) |
Channel separation | 90dB or more (JEITA) |
Spec
CAD outline(DFX) | 04-15-2011 | 979.8 KB |
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Manuals
MD-CD1mkIII Owner's Manual | 03-23-2022 | 1.4 MB |
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Documents
MD-CD1mkIII RS-232C Documentation | 08-01-2012 | 249.7 KB |
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Firmware
MD-CD1mkIII Release Notes V1.08 | 06-09-2014 | 112.4 KB |
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MD-CD1mkIII Firmware Update V1.08 | 06-09-2014 | 330.8 KB |
MD-CD1mkIII Release Notes V1.06 | 05-13-2013 | 112.1 KB |
MD-CD1mkIII Firmware Update V1.06 | 12-03-2012 | 323.3 KB |
MD-CD1mkIII version 1.20 release note | 05-02-2011 | 152.0 KB |
MD-CD1mkIII firmware version 1.20 | 05-02-2011 | 323.2 KB |