Abstract: A magnetic printing head, for selectively magnetizing regions of magnetic recording media moving transversely therepast, has an elongated comb-like member of magnetizable material. Each of a multiplicity of slots in the member contains conductor means energizable to carry a flow of current for generating a magnetic orientation field between two adjacent comb-tooth tips and transverse to the direction of media movement. The conductor means in each slot may comprise at least a pair of independently energizable conductors for generating the orientation field responsive to coincident flows of current therein, preferably selected by matrix techniques.