Abstract: Disclosed is a system for translating tracks of magnetically encoded data on a flexible medium into corresponding visually readable characters. The system comprises a drum of generally cylindrical shape mounted for rotation about an axis. The medium is affixed to an exterior surface of the drum with the magnetically encoded side facing outwardly and is oriented such that the data tracks are substantially perpendicularly aligned with the drum axis. A magnetic read head is mounted to contact the medium surface and is stepped in directions parallel to the drum axis. The drum is designed to provide a zone substantially perpendicular to the areas of rotation where the head does not contact and therefore does not read the medium. Means are provided on the drum so that the head is stepped to a different track when the zone is opposite the head. The electrical outputs of the read head are utilized in the printing out of corresponding visually readable characters on another medium.