Tascam RC-20 Direct Play Remote Control for CD-500/CD-500B — main product image

Tascam RC-20 Direct Play Remote Control for CD-500/CD-500B

Tascam

Tascam RC-20 Direct Play Remote Control for CD-500/CD-500B

Name: Tascam RC-20 Direct Play Remote Control for CD-500/CD-500B
Brand: Tascam
SKU: RC-20

★★★★★5.0 (2 reviews)

Twenty dedicated trigger buttons and a 3.9-meter tethered connection give the RC-20 instant, hands-on cue control for the Tascam CD-500 series without touching the player.

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Overview

The Tascam RC-20 is a wired direct-play remote control purpose-built for the CD-500 and CD-500B professional CD players, providing a 20-button trigger surface that maps directly to tracks, program steps, or playlist entries on the connected device. The operational logic is simple and reliable: each of the 20 large buttons fires a discrete playback command with a single press, removing the need for an operator to interact with the player's front panel during a live performance or broadcast. Power is sourced entirely from the player over the 3.9-meter TRS cable, keeping the operator position free of additional cabling or power management. The CONNECTED indicator LED eliminates ambiguity about cable status — a detail that matters significantly when a show is going up in minutes.

This remote is built for environments where audio cue execution cannot be approximate — theatrical productions, broadcast stations, and live event venues where a missed or delayed cue has visible consequences. The labeling strip space above the buttons allows the operator to document each cue position in the unit's own language, not in a generic track number. That tactile, visual workflow — eyes on the stage, hand on a labeled button — is exactly what the RC-20 is engineered to support. It is not a flexible or multi-device solution; it is a highly reliable, single-purpose tool for CD-500 series users who need confident, repeatable cue execution from a dedicated control surface rather than from the player's front panel.

Key Features

20 large buttons to start playback of tracks, program steps or playlist entries on the connected device

STOP/LOAD button to stop playback and to flash load tracks if the connected device is in a play mode that allows flash loading

CONNECTED indicator (lights when the plug is connected to a compatible device and power is supplied by that device)

Space for labelling strips above buttons

3.9-m connection cable with 2.5-mm TRS plug

Specifications

Compatible Devices

Tascam CD-500, CD-500B

Number of Buttons

20 direct-play buttons

Connection Type

2.5mm TRS plug

Cable Length

3.9 meters (~13 feet)

Power Source

Indicators

CONNECTED LED

Labeling

Strip labeling space above each button

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

20 individually addressable buttons provide direct one-press access to any of up to 20 tracks, program steps, or playlist entries — no scrolling or menu navigation required mid-show.
Power drawn from the connected player via the TRS cable eliminates battery management or wall outlet dependency at the operator position.
3.9-meter cable length reaches across a standard FOH desk-to-rack layout or broadcast console-to-player configuration without cable extensions.
Labeling strip space above each button allows show-specific cue labeling, reducing trigger errors in low-light performance environments.
CONNECTED indicator LED provides immediate visual confirmation of a working link before show time — a practical safeguard against loose cable connections.

👎 Cons

Compatibility is locked to the CD-500 and CD-500B via the 2.5mm TRS control port — it cannot be adapted to other manufacturers' CD players or to newer Tascam models that use a different control interface.
3.9-meter cable is a fixed, non-removable length — installations requiring more reach cannot simply swap to a longer cable without modifying the unit or using a signal-degrading extension.
20 buttons cover 20 cues; productions with larger cue lists must either split programming across playlist structures or manage overflow without direct-play button access.
The physical labeling system requires manual strip creation — there is no backlit or digital labeling mechanism, making last-minute cue relabeling slower than a software-based alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Tascam units is the RC-20 confirmed compatible with?

The RC-20 is designed specifically for the Tascam CD-500 and CD-500B professional CD players. Compatibility with other Tascam units depends on whether those devices include the matching 2.5mm TRS control port — do not assume cross-compatibility without verifying the target unit's remote control specifications.

How does the RC-20 receive power — does it need batteries or a separate supply?

The RC-20 draws power directly from the connected CD-500/CD-500B through the 2.5mm TRS cable. No batteries or external power supply are required. The CONNECTED indicator LED confirms that the cable is seated correctly and the remote is receiving power from the player.

What does the STOP/LOAD button do differently from a standard stop function?

Beyond halting playback, the STOP/LOAD button enables flash loading — triggering an immediate track load on compatible devices that are already in a play mode supporting that function. In theatrical or broadcast contexts, this allows an operator to queue the next cue during playback without audibly interrupting the current output.

Can the RC-20's buttons be labeled for specific cues or tracks?

Yes. The RC-20 includes space for labeling strips above the 20 buttons, allowing operators to mark each button with a cue name, track number, or show-specific identifier. This is essential for live theater and broadcast workflows where 20 audio cues need to be identifiable at a glance under low-light conditions.

How long is the connection cable, and is it long enough for most FOH or broadcast booth installations?

The cable is 3.9 meters (approximately 13 feet). This is adequate for most control room desk-to-rack or FOH-to-rack configurations, but operators mounting the CD-500 in a distant rack position or running cable through a wall panel will need to verify that length meets their specific installation geometry.