OverLOAD

I purchased a Mazda Tape add in module for a single purpose only: To play MP3's from an external source. Initially I though that if my Idea of installing a 1/8" headphone jack, directly wired into the module didn't work, I would still be able to use a regular tape adapter.

Heres what I bought, and here's the results.

- Mazda RX-8 (same as Mazda 6) Tape player add-in module & Faceplate
- 20 foot Headphone extension cable (6-ft is plenty)

You'll need a soldering Iron, a scredriver and a bit of patience and bravery.

1. Unpack the goods: My New Mazda Tape module:

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2. Pop the cover off the unit.. (unscrew the two screws in the back, on the bottom, the big side with the connector) then lift up the cover plate:

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3. Then locate the little Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that is located below:

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4. Next, prepare your headphone extension cable. I used a cable with a female end, since I wanted it to look less noticeable. Then locate the following specific points on the circuit board.. notice the little labels on the PCB silkscreen R-CH & L-CH.. they were very handy in figuring exactly where I should wire this together

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5. Then run your extension cable up the back of the tape module through this hole.. Once it's through, tie a tight knot in it to prevent it from coming back out.

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6. Then solder on the 3 wires as shown below. For reference, I used a radio shack extension cable. If you happen to want to use the same type of cable, I got a 20' extension cable for about $7.99. The yellow wire goes to the tip of a male connector (Left Channel), the red goes to the middle connector (Right Channel), and the back wire goes to the base connector (Signal return/ground).

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6b. Here's a closeup of the solder connections..

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7. Then close up the unit, and prepare for installation.

Follow the instructions in the install booklet for installation. However, before you put everything back together, run your wire for the AUX in, behind the head unit console, and down under where the ashtray is, then run it forward, and towards the cup-holders (or some other location you would prefer

I cut a little hole in the edge of the clip that's next to the E-brake, so that the wire would have a better fit without being crimped.

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Viola! You are done! (If you put everything back together). I left out a few steps, but you should be able to figure everything out from the tape module. The most confusing thing I ran into was the small retaining bolt that goes into the side of the radio. It's actually right on the side of the radio (on the left side for North American vehicles), and way, way in the console. I only managed to do it with a screw-driver with a socket attachment. I think it was a 10mm bolt..

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Look at this! My MP3 player is all snug!

Happy hacking!


Some final comments.. It's probably possible to do a similar type hack to the CD units, but I wasn't brave enough to hack into that.. I needed something cheaper

And the Audio Quality? Absolutely Terrific. My fourth tape adapter, a high quality unit, which was the pick of the litter of several such units was pretty good, but this AUX line in bypass is as good as it gets. Is it reliable? What's the signal level like? Yes, and good. It's not as loud as it could be, but that's a good thing. It's probably possible to blow up parts of the tape module with too much volume.



OverLOAD

züm- züm

Ah, this HOWTO will come in very handy for me when OmniFi comes out. Has anyone seen this system yet? From what I understand, since it is wireless, you'll be able to drag MP3's into your RX8 right from your desktop.

Info links here:
http://www.omnifimedia.com
http://www.techtv.com/news/ces2003/s...413922,00.html

Kev

So functionally, you just select "TAPE/MD" and play your MP3 unit?

Have you still got a fully functional tape player as a result?

This is really good!

I think I'd probably expose two RCA plugs in the centre consule near the power socket.

Thanks for all of your effort in posting you works.

Kev.

B-Nez

The reduced volume may be due to halving with the silent tape deck. Maybe cutting the tape signal and wiring in a toggle switch between external and tape? Cool stuff though. Are you experienced at this sort of stuff, or did you just sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night? I ask because it takes cajones to trial and error a brand new (uncheap) radio. Hats off to you either way.

Gamera

Nice work!

Couple of questions: Do you need to have a dummy tape in (and presumably with the motors spinning) for the input to be audible? The cassette player still works normally, right? The audio levels of the cassette player still the same as before the mod (if by chance you listened to it before the mod)?

For about $160, this sounds like a cool solution for an AUX port, at least until/if Blitz or PIE comes out with an adaptor. I think those have generally run between $75-150, so the cost of OverLOAD's method isn't too bad. Running the cable through the cap in the cup compartment was a great idea, btw.

OverLOAD

Yup, I meant to mention that last night..

It only works with a dummy tape, so bust out that old tape you made of yourself when you were 8 years old, and pull the tape spools out. Insert the Tape, press the Tape/MD button, and you hear the Aux source. When you eject the tape, it mutes the input.

And by reduced volume, I mean just a wee little bit. I have the rockbox firmware on my Archos, and to get a volume level equal to the radio stations takes about 93% of maximum.. I'd just rather run it a little lower, and not take the chance.

It works really well. I kind of surprised myself by how easily it all seemed to come together. I was willing to take it all apart, since I figured the worst thing I'd blow up was the tape module.. And I wanted an AUX in Really bad!. In terms of my Experience with this sort of stuff, I'm pretty much a rank amatuer at Electrical design, however I'm resourceful enough to be able to find the datasheets for all the IC's that were on the Op Amp Eq PCB in the tape deck. That helped a bit.. I've taken apart a bunch of stuff before, but this is really my only motivation so far to actually do a useful mod to some gear that I had. This head unit was desperately in need of some AUX in..

Have fun, and like I said, this can probably also be done with the stock CD head unit, but you'd probably also need to burn a 'Dummy CD' of one track of blank audio to get that to work..

Net result is that this mod works very well, and I'm more than satisfied with the results.. And Yes, the tape player works 100% normally and will still play regular tapes. The sound levels didn't seem to change intensity at all... just remember to disable the AUX-in source when you do that so you don't have two simultaneous sources (and funny sound)..

However, standard disclaimer: I take no responsibility for any damage that you may do, while trying this mod on your own. I have mentioned everything that I feel is important to completing this mod successfully, but please don't blame me if you mess something up.

Otherwise, happy modding!

OverLOAD


Edit: p.s.

Just another note. I modified my previous tape adapter so that I removed the tape sender unit, and the headphone cable. This allows me to use this as the dummy tape, since a regular tape will keep cycling, and a tape that you've ripped the actual tape out of, will read "TAPE ERROR" on the LCD status screen... Other than that, it sounds great. If possible, get shielded extension cable. And on another note, someone elsewhere mentioned that there would be electronic interference in the tape module, corresponding to engine RPM's. I have not experienced this. I've even only heard of this in very old AM radios..