What is the Tascam SS-R250N?
The Tascam SS-R250N is a network-capable 2-channel solid-state device for recording and playback of WAV and MP3 files from SD cards and USB drives. It is commonly used in broadcast studios, fixed installations, and live production environments to capture program output, trigger audio stings, and manage background music or announcements.
The Cuez Automator connects to the SS-R250N over Telnet, enabling automated transport control, playback configuration, and recording management directly from within the rundown system.
Setting up Tascam SS-R250N
Before adding the device in the Automator, prepare the unit itself:
1. Assign a static IP address
Go to Menu → NETWORK 1 → IP SETUP on the unit. Set DHCP to OFF and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for your studio network. See Owner's Manual p. 90.
2. Enable Telnet remote control
Go to Menu → NETWORK 2 and set REMOTE to ON. This activates the Telnet interface that Automator uses to communicate with the unit. See Owner's Manual p. 93.
If an IP password is set on the unit (Menu → NETWORK 2 → IP PASSWORD), note it down — we will need to enter the same value in the Automator. See Owner's Manual p. 91.
3. Set the unit to Remote mode
Automator commands are only accepted when the unit is in Remote mode. This can be set via the front panel or using the 'Remote/local' function in Automator once the device is connected. See Owner's Manual p. 102.
Adding a Tascam SS-R250N 'device' to the Automator
In the top right corner of the Automator, we see 'Devices' - this can be either in red or green depending on the status of the configured devices. Click it and select 'Add device'.
Next, select 'Tascam SS-R250N' from the 'Device type' dropdown list, then give it a name.
Enter the static IP address of the SS-R250N in the 'Host name' field. The 'IP password' field can be left empty unless a password was configured on the unit in step 2 above.
Configuring actions
The next step is to configure each Item and Block with the (set of) functions we want to perform on the Tascam SS-R250N when triggering that Item or Block — more on that in this article.
Available functions
The Tascam SS-R250N integration includes 51 functions in total, covering transport control, track and time navigation, recording, playback settings, file and folder management, input selection, and system configuration.
Transport & Navigation
Play | Starts playback of the current selection. |
Stop | Ceases all transport activity. |
Record | Enters recording standby or active recording. (set Mode) |
Pause/Ready | Toggles the standby state. |
Track Skip | Navigates between tracks. (set Direction) |
Call | Returns to the last playback start point. |
Eject | Command to release media. |
Jog | Precision search mode. (set Mode) |
Shuttle | Variable speed search. (set Direction) |
Flash Load | Pre-loads track data for instant start. |
Go to Track | Direct jump to a track index. (set Track Number) |
Go to Time | Locates a specific timestamp within a track. (set Track, Minutes, Seconds, 1/100 Seconds) |
Playback Configuration
Play Mode | Sets the playback sequence. (set Mode) |
Play Area Selected | Defines the scope of playable tracks. |
Auto-Cue | Automatically pauses at the point where actual audio begins in a track. (Set State) |
Auto-Cue Level | Sets the trigger threshold for auto-cue. (set Level) |
Auto-Ready | Enters standby at the next track start. (set State) |
Incremental Play | Skips tracks and plays/pauses based on stop commands. (set State) |
Repeat | Toggles playback looping. (set State) |
Time Skip Preset | Sets the specific duration used for the time-skipping function. |
Audio Processing
Pitch Control | Enables manual pitch adjustment. (set State) |
Pitch Value (%) | Adjusts speed and frequency. (set Percent) |
Key Control | Enables shifting in semitones. (set State) |
Key Value | Sets the semitone adjustment for key control. (set Semitones) |
Recording & Logic
Input Select | Chooses the physical or digital input source for recording. |
Sync Recording | Starts/stops based on input level. (set State) |
Sync Rec Level | Level threshold for sync start. (set Level) |
Auto-Track | Sets logic for automatic track splits. (set Mode) |
Auto-Track Level | Level threshold for splits. (set Level) |
Auto-Track Time | Time-based interval for splits. (set Hours, Minutes) |
Auto-Track Size | Sets the file size limit for automatic track increments. |
System & File Management
EOM Track Time | Triggers a tally signal when a set amount of time remains in the current track (set Seconds) |
EOM Media Time | Triggers a tally signal when a set amount of time remains on the total media (set Seconds) |
Set CD-TEXT Title | Configure the text metadata for the media or a specific track. (set Target, Title) |
Device Select | Toggles between SD cards or USB media. |
Information Request | Triggers the unit to provide its current operational status. |
Set Clock | Updates the internal system date and time. (set Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute) |
Error Sense | Enables the control software to detect when a system error has occurred. |
Power | Defines power-on behavior. (set Mode) |
Caution Sense | Allows the software to monitor for "Caution" states. |
User Word Preset | Pre-configure the custom text strings. |
Remote / Local | Toggles between external software control and front-panel manual operation. (set Mode) |
Media Format | Prepares and optimizes a storage device for use with the unit. |
Divide | Splits a track into two files. |
Delete | Removes a track or file. |
Rename File | Assigns a new name to a file. |
Rename Folder | Assigns a new name to a folder. |
Create Folder | Generates a new directory on the media |
Select Current Folder | Sets the specific directory on the media that will act as the active "current folder". |
File Name Select | Chooses the naming convention for automatically generated files. (set Mode) |
Search Folder Number | Navigate the media's directory structure. |
For further context on how these functions behave on the unit, refer to the Owner's Manual.
Troubleshooting
If the Tascam SS-R250N shows as offline in the Automator, check the following:
Static IP — confirm the IP address entered in the Automator matches the one set on the unit under Menu → NETWORK 1 → IP SETUP
Telnet enabled — confirm REMOTE is set to 'ON' under Menu → NETWORK 2 on the unit
IP password — if a password is set on the unit (Menu → NETWORK 2 → IP PASSWORD), make sure the same value is entered in the Automator's IP password field
Network — confirm the unit and the Automator are on the same local network
If the device shows as online but functions aren't being executed, confirm the unit is in Remote mode. Commands sent while the unit is in Local mode are silently ignored.