Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing an indexed audio tape. The method includes the step of recording data in a guard band interposed between and parallel to two signal tracks used to record audio signals on an audio tape. The recorded data is shifted to frequencies higher than the bandwidth of the audio signals. A plurality of programs are recorded onto the two signal tracks with spaces between the programs. A nonaudible program presence signal is recorded onto the two signal tracks coincident with the plurality of programs. The nonaudible program presence signal is not recorded in the spaces between the programs. A program directory is recorded onto the guard band just before the start of each program recorded on the two signal tracks. In an embodiment, text is recorded onto the guard band parallel to and corresponding to audio in the programs recorded on the two signal tracks of the audio tape.