Abstract: A cassette-type magnetic tape recorder/player has a movable plate mounted on its deck for reciprocating movement between reproduction and non-reproduction positions. At least a second slide member is also mounted on the deck and likewise biased toward the reproduction position. The movable plate carries a magnetic head and a pivotally mounted pinch roller which engages a rotatably driven capstan mounted on the deck. The second slide member can be manually moved to a second position where it engages and moves a magnetic actuator which, in turn, serves to pivot the pinch roller out of contact with the capstan. The magnetic actuator is surrounded by an electromagnetic coil which serves, when activated, to hold the magnetic actuator in the position where it disengages the pinch roller. The coil is activated responsive to the detection of blank zones on the magnetic tape.