Abstract: The apparatus has a pair of guide rollers which are located to guide the tape in a direct, straight-line path between the guide rollers and, additionally, further guide rollers which are movable to engage behind the tape in the straight-line path and, when moved, wrap the tape around a record/reproduce head. The additional guide roller is movable in an essentially straight-line path, the roller, when in the position in which the tape is placed around the record/reproduce head, being the one furthest away from the cassette, when the cassette is inserted in the apparatus. Essentially simultaneously with movement of the aforementioned guide roller, other guide rollers are likewise moved to engage the tape with a drive capstan, and to additionally positively place the tape around a record/reproduce cylinder for spiral passage thereover. The other rollers operate on curved paths, the arrangement providing for timed interrelation of the stationary and movable guide elements in their respective paths in space.