TASCAM MP-800U

By Brian Long

Introduction

The TASCAM MP-800U is a professional rackmount media player designed for installed AV, hospitality, restaurants, retail environments, houses of worship, conference facilities, entertainment venues, and other commercial audio systems. It provides direct playback from SD cards and USB flash drives, supporting WAV, MP3, and AAC files, while a built-in FM tuner provides an additional source for broadcast programming.

A front-panel USB-C audio connection allows compatible computers, smartphones, and tablets to use the MP-800U as a USB DAC, while the optional TASCAM AK-BT2 adapter adds wireless Bluetooth audio playback. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, dedicated tuner outputs, Auto Cue, Auto Ready, incremental playback, pitch control, power-on playback, panel lock, external control connections, and an included wireless remote make the MP-800U a flexible source component for professional AV installations.

Features, Specifications, and Manuals

Features
  • Professional 1U Media Player: Compact rackmount design provides multiple playback sources in a single component for commercial and installed AV systems.
  • SD Card Playback: Front-panel SD card slot provides convenient solid-state playback for permanent or frequently updated program material.
  • USB Flash Drive Playback: Front-panel USB Type-A connection supports playback directly from compatible USB flash storage.
  • Up to 512GB Media Support: Supports SDXC cards and USB flash drives with capacities up to 512GB.
  • WAV Playback: Supports 44.1/48kHz linear PCM WAV files in 16-bit and 24-bit resolution.
  • MP3 Playback: Supports 44.1/48kHz MP3 files at bit rates from 32 to 320kbps, including VBR material.
  • AAC Playback: Supports MPEG-4 AAC-LC audio at 44.1/48kHz with bit rates from 32 to 320kbps.
  • USB-C Audio DAC: Connect a compatible computer, smartphone, or tablet to the front-panel USB-C port and use the MP-800U as a professional playback interface.
  • Built-In FM Tuner: Integrated FM tuner provides convenient access to broadcast radio without requiring an additional rackmount source component.
  • 20 FM Presets: Store and recall up to 20 user-selected FM stations from the front panel or included remote control.
  • Dedicated Tuner Outputs: Separate RCA tuner outputs allow the FM tuner signal to be routed independently within an installed audio system.
  • Optional Bluetooth Audio: Add the optional TASCAM AK-BT2 Bluetooth adapter to stream audio wirelessly from compatible Bluetooth devices.
  • Balanced XLR Outputs: Professional balanced analog outputs provide +4dBu nominal connectivity for mixers, DSP systems, amplifiers, and other installed AV equipment.
  • Unbalanced RCA Outputs: Dedicated RCA outputs provide -10dBV nominal connectivity for consumer-level and commercial audio equipment.
  • Front-Panel Headphone Output: 1/4-inch stereo headphone connection provides convenient local monitoring during setup and operation.
  • Power-On Play: Automatically begin playback when power is applied, useful for unattended installations and systems controlled by centralized AC power.
  • Auto Cue: Automatically locate the point at which audio begins in a track for faster and more predictable playback.
  • Auto Ready: Automatically pause at the beginning of the next track after playback completes.
  • Incremental Playback: Move automatically to the beginning of the next track when playback is stopped, simplifying sequential program operation.
  • Pitch Control: Adjust playback speed over a ±16% range for applications requiring tempo or duration adjustment.
  • Key Original Function: Change playback speed while maintaining the original musical pitch.
  • Fade-In and Fade-Out: Smooth playback transitions help eliminate abrupt starts and stops between program elements.
  • Numeric Track Selection: Ten front-panel number buttons allow fast direct access to stored tracks.
  • Panel Lock: Disable front-panel controls to help prevent unauthorized or accidental operation in public and unattended installations.
  • External Control I/O: Dedicated control input and output connections support integration with compatible external switches, controllers, and AV automation systems.
  • Remote Control Connection: 2.5mm remote port provides additional control integration options.
  • Included Wireless Remote: Supplied TASCAM RC-MP800 remote provides convenient control without requiring direct access to the equipment rack.
  • Optional Ethernet Expansion: Compatible with the optional TASCAM IF-E100 Ethernet control card for supported network-control applications.
  • Q-SYS Integration Planned: TASCAM has announced Q-SYS control integration using the optional IF-E100 Ethernet card, enabling supported playback and source-control functions from a Q-SYS environment when available.
  • Universal AC Power: Internal 100–240V AC power supply simplifies deployment in professional installations.
Specifications
Specification Details
Product Type Professional SD/USB memory player, USB DAC, and FM tuner
Form Factor 1U rackmount
Supported SD Media SD / SDHC / SDXC
SD Capacity 512MB–2GB
SDHC Capacity 4GB–32GB
SDXC Capacity 64GB–512GB
USB Flash Drive Capacity 512MB–512GB
Supported File Systems FAT16 / FAT32 / exFAT
WAV Playback 44.1 / 48kHz, 16-bit / 24-bit LPCM
MP3 Playback 44.1 / 48kHz, 32 / 64 / 96 / 128 / 192 / 256 / 320kbps, VBR
AAC Playback 44.1 / 48kHz, 32–320kbps, VBR, MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Maximum File Size 4GB
Maximum Number of Files 999 including folders
Maximum Folder Levels 16
Playback Channels 2-channel stereo / 1-channel mono
Balanced Analog Outputs 2 × XLR-3-32
Balanced Nominal Output Level +4dBu
Balanced Maximum Output Level +20dBu
Balanced Output Impedance 100Ω
Unbalanced Analog Outputs RCA stereo pair
Unbalanced Nominal Output Level -10dBV
Unbalanced Maximum Output Level +6dBV
Unbalanced Output Impedance 210Ω
Dedicated Tuner Outputs RCA stereo pair
Tuner Nominal Output Level -10dBV
Tuner Maximum Output Level +6dBV
Headphone Output 6.3mm (1/4-inch) stereo jack
Maximum Headphone Output 20mW + 20mW or greater into 32Ω
USB Flash Drive Port USB Type-A
USB Flash Protocol USB 2.0 High Speed, Mass Storage
USB Audio Port USB Type-C
USB Audio Protocol USB 2.0 High Speed
USB Audio Class USB Audio Class 2.0, class compliant
Bluetooth Optional TASCAM AK-BT2 adapter
FM Tuner Range 87.5–108.0MHz
FM Presets Up to 20
FM Antenna Connector F-type
Remote Connector 2.5mm TRS
Control Input 3.5mm TRS, external active-low commands
Control Output 3.5mm TRS, open collector
Pitch Control Range ±16%
Frequency Response 20Hz–20kHz, +0.5/-1.0dB
Distortion 0.005% or less
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 95dB or greater
Dynamic Range 95dB or greater
Channel Separation 95dB or greater
Power AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption 14W
Dimensions (W × H × D) 482.8 × 46.5 × 297.1mm (19.01 × 1.83 × 11.70 in), including protrusions
Weight 2.7kg (5.95 lb)
Operating Temperature 0–40°C (32–104°F)
Included Remote TASCAM RC-MP800 wireless remote control
Manuals and Documents
  • Owner’s Manual - Complete operating instructions covering media playback, USB audio, FM tuner operation, playback functions, external control, system configuration, and technical specifications.
  • Product Specification Sheet - Detailed TASCAM engineering specifications covering supported media, file formats, connections, audio performance, power, dimensions, and other technical data.
  • CAD drawing (PDF) - Engineering drawings with dimensions.
  • TASCAM MP-800U Product Page - Official U.S. manufacturer product information, documentation, compatibility information, software, and support resources.