Abstract: In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, for example, for use with tape cassettes, and which is of the type that requires both a record push-button and a forward push-button to be in their active positions for establishing the recording mode of operation, whereas the reproducing or playback mode of operation is established when only the forward push-button is in its active position; there are provided a first interlocking mechanism operative to prevent actuation of the record push-button to its active position after the forward push-button has been actuated to its active position so as to normally inhibit change-over of the apparatus directly from its reproducing mode of operation to its recording mode of operation, and a second interlocking mechanism operative in response to establishing of the recording mode of operation to disable the first interlocking mechanism and thereafter permit actuation of the record push-button to its active position with the forward push-button already in its active position

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on a magnetic tape contained in a cassette having at least one aperture which is alternatively obstructed or unobstructed to respectively indicate that signals may be recorded on the tape or that the tape already has signals recorded thereon which are not to be erased; a detector is engageable with an operatively positioned cassette at the aperture of the latter and has first and second states in dependence on whether the aperture is obstructed or unobstructed, respectively, a record push-button is actuable from a rest position to an operative position with the detector in either of its states, and a change-over mechanism changes-over the apparatus to its recording mode of operation in response to actuation of the record push-button only when the detector is in its first state. An ejector is also provided for ejecting the tape cassette from its operative position in response to actuation of the record push-button with the detector in its second state.