REWINDThe ’87 GS3 tape: circuit board and a visible battery
The GS3 is a 1987 cassette mechanism in REWIND, drawn with the cover off: a black key strip, a green circuit board with an AA battery, and a clear cassette in a silver frame. It is free, plays your own files offline and responds to swipes like real tape.
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What was personal stereo like in 1987?
Personal cassette players had been around for about eight years by 1987, and they kept getting smaller. Makers raced to shrink the transport until it was barely larger than the cassette itself. A single AA cell could carry you through a day of walking. Headphones were light and foam-padded, and tapes were swapped between friends.
What is drawn on the GS3?
This is the teardown view. A black strip across the top holds the buttons. Below it sits a green circuit board with a single AA battery, and under that a transparent cassette in a silver frame, its tape pack copper-brown. A chrome pull rod runs down the left side.
The reels spin and the tape packs change size as you listen. Everything sits on a clear acrylic plate with the year, ’87, printed in the corner.
- Watch the hubs through the clear shell
- Swipe to wind and rewind
- Press keys to hear a mechanical click
- Pause makes the pitch slide down
Which sound settings suit the GS3?
A small, early machine should sound a bit tired. Try wobble at a moderate level, saturation slightly above middle and a little hiss. In the equalizer, Vocal pulls voices forward, much like headphones of that era did. Bass works if the track is thin.
Is the 1987 Cassette Player free or PRO?
The GS3 is a good start if you like seeing the electronics. It is one of the 8 free machines, so you can install REWIND, import your files and play on it without buying anything. Analog sound and the equalizer are free on every machine, including this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GS3 free?
Yes, the ’87 GS3 is among the free machines in REWIND.
Why is there a battery on the screen?
It is part of the drawing. The machine is shown opened up on an acrylic plate, with a circuit board and a single AA cell. Nothing about your phone battery changes.
How do I switch to a different tape machine?
Tap the year title to open the catalog, or use the ribbon of years on the player screen.
Keep exploring
Cassette players10 pocket cassette machines with turning reels, swipe-to-wind and tape stop.
1988 Pocket Cassette Player on iPhoneBlack cassette, dark window, small silver hubs, tiny keys across the top. Free.
1990 Cassette Player for iPhoneBeige sliders, brass spring, copper flex cable, black cassette with a gold label. Free.
Analog Sound on iPhoneFour sliders (saturation, wobble, hiss, crackle), automatic machine sound and a lo-fi radio filter, live on your own files. Free.Tactile Retro ControlsSwipe to wind, finger to scratch, buttons that click, a real tape stop. Sounds are synthesized on device.