An adapter for a cassette tape player couples to a digital audio player. The adapter enables controls operated on the cassette tape player to control an external digital audio player. The digital audio player may be coupled to the adapter to receive signals indicative of which controls on the cassette tape player were operated. For example, in one embodiment the adapter may determine the direction of cassette tape player rotation, the initiation of rotation and the speed of rotation to detect which controls were operated. Appropriate signals may then be provided to the digital audio player, either through a wired or wireless connection, to enable the digital audio player to respond accordingly.