Abstract: A driving mechanism for a magnetic tape recorder especially adapted for use with preloaded cassettes includes a carriage having a magnetic recording/playback head and a pressure roller mounted thereon. A latching member mechanically holds the carriage such that the roller and recording/playback head is in either a stop mode position, a pause mode position or a run mode position. In the stop mode position, the recording/playback head and the roller is fully retracted from the cassette to allow replacement of cassettes. In the pause mode position, the recording/playback head is adjacent to the tape to allow retrieval of information recorded thereon and the pressure roller is slightly withdrawn from the capstan such that a slight movement of the carriage causes the roller to quickly move to the run mode position to provide fast starting capability. In the run mode position, the recording/playback head is fully contacted against the tape and the pressure roller is in contact with a capstan.

Abstract: A voice actuated voice logging recorder adapted to use magnetic recording tape in preloaded magazines includes a logging deck having a transport mechanism, means responsive to an input signal corresponding to voice data for enabling the transport mechanism to switch to a run position and a verification network which is activated upon insertion of a magazine into the deck. The verification network is particularly desirable to overcome limitations in the reliability of typical cassette recorders, and includes a network for rewinding the tape to ensure that all of the tape is on a rewind spool and that the tape is not bound. A second network repositions the rewound tape to enable recording onto the tape and a test recording is then produced to ensure that the tape is properly oriented, i.e., that the tape has not become twisted within the magazine.