Even though the cassette isn't as popular as it once was, cassette decks still sell for the same reasons that made this format so popular to begin with. With a cassette deck, you can record from any source: CD, tape, radio, or records. You can easily record custom mix tapes, with any songs, in any order. You can quickly make multiple copies for playback at home, in your car, or in your portable. And unlike some disc formats, there are no player compatibility issues with cassettes — you'll always be able to enjoy any tape you've recorded in any cassette player.

A dual-well dubbing deck makes it easy to copy your favorite tapes, or to relay play two tapes for hours of uninterrupted music.

Make it a double?

The main advantage of "dubbing decks," as dual-well models are often called, is incredibly easy tape-to-tape copying. (With a single-well model, you need a second cassette deck to copy a tape.)

Dual-well models offer the option of high-speed dubbing, which cuts copy time in half. You will, however, usually get a slightly better sounding copy if you dub tapes at normal speed.

Tape-to-tape dubbing isn't the only reason to go for a dual-well deck, though. Decks with auto-reverse play in both wells also let you play both sides of two tapes, non-stop. This convenient feature is called relay play, and it's a great way to cue up as much as 3 hours' worth of continuous music. Once you've inserted two cassettes and pressed "play," you can sit back and enjoy.

Other convenience features

Some cassette decks add features that let you access particular tracks without the hassle of fast-forwarding and rewinding. Models with music search can scan forward or backward in search of the beginning of the next or last track. Decks with multiple music search lets you skip forward or backward by more than one track at a time. And models with track programming actually let you program a sequence of tracks for playback, much like a CD player.

It's very uncommon for cassette decks to include their own remote control. However, the basic functions of most decks can be operated via a receiver's remote control — provided that both the tape deck and the receiver are made by the same manufacturer. If remote control is important to you, be sure to check for this remote compatibility while you're shopping.

Getting the best possible sound

Most cassette decks offer Dolby B and C noise reduction, which help cut down the amount of "hiss" you'll hear on your tapes. But if you're a purist about recording quality, look for decks with Dolby S noise reduction. It's a much more sophisticated noise reduction system, and yields recordings with a significantly better signal-to-noise ratio.

Some taping enthusiasts prefer the precision of a single-well, 3-head deck to the convenience of a dubbing deck. With separate heads for playback and recording — each optimized for its one specific purpose — a 3-head deck provides exceptionally clean recordings. It even lets you compare the tape to the source and adjust bias for optimum accuracy while you're recording. For more information on tape heads, see our Cassette Deck FAQ.

Another cassette deck feature favored by audiophiles is the 3-motor design. With discrete motors for each of the spindles, and a third motor exclusively for the pinch roller(s), this type of deck provides the most accurate possible control over tape speed. Because there are fewer demands placed on each motor, a 3-motor design also provides superior durability. For more information on tape deck motors, see our Cassette Deck FAQ.