Tape recorder

In general, a tape recorder, tape deck, or tape machine is any device that records a fluctuating voltage by moving a strip of magnetic tape across a Tape head[?], which is a strong electromagnet. They are also capable of reproducing that voltage by running the tape back across the tape head. Many tape recorders are even capable of doing both things at once.

There are a wide variety of Tape recorders in existence, from small hand held devices to large multitrack machines which are roughly equivalent in size to a large, highbacked armchair.

While they are primarily used for sound recording, tape machines were also important for data storage before the advent of floppy disks and CDs, and are still used today, although primarily to provide a nonvolatile backup to hard disk drives.

See also:

• Compact audio cassette
• Digital audio tape
• Audio editing
• electromagnetism
• Electronic music
• Sound recording