14 DAY TRIAL // Back in May, SuperMegaUltraGroovy and Toastycode were happy to announce the introduction of a new recording application for Mac OS X Leopard. The new version (1.1) imports from and exports to other audio formats (AIFF and MP3), includes an option to email tapes to others and the ability to upload recordings directly to YouTube. TapeDeck costs $25.
TapeDeck's quick-capture workflow records "tapes" that can be started or stopped at any time with a single mouse click or keystroke. The program is very similar to old analog tape recorders we used back in the day. However, a virtual such recorder presents the user with some advantages. For instance, recordings are automatically saved and organized in a searchable 'tape box', eliminating the need to tape over anything. TapeDeck records directly to standard MP4-AAC files at one of three configurable compression settings, while users can add titles and "liner notes" to their tapes. Full-text searches on this criteria are available, with recordings being accessible through Spotlight, Quick Look, and iTunes. Finder and Cover Flow can also be used to browse recordings saved in TapeDeck.
"TapeDeck [...] adds many welcome improvements to traditional tape recorders, such as a never-ending supply of tapes to record on, far better audio quality, lots of space to write notes, and full compatibility with iTunes and the iPod," the developer notes on its web site. "Live level meters, rotating cassette spindles, live search, and UI sound effects make TapeDeck truly fun to use," the developer adds.
SuperMegaUltraGroovy designed TapeDeck to be a simple but useful audio recorder that leverages Core Animation for the Zing! and Pop! that Mac users can expect from Leopard apps these days.
Some TapeDeck 1.1 highlights include:
- Upload to YouTube option for easily sharing recordings with friends/family. - TapeDeck can import and export audio in various formats supported by QuickTime. - There is no more slowdown due to battery during the evaluation period. - Users can now seek/play/review while buttons are held down, just like some real tape recorders. - Commands that are disabled during recording are now reflected as disabled in the menu. - Users can no longer delete an in-progress recording. - A custom folder icon is used when creating the TapeDeck library directory. - Recordings are now done in much higher quality, with HQ now at 320kbps.
To go through the full changelog of TapeDeck 1.1 or to download the app (Mac OS X 10.5 or later required), go to this page.