Magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus with device for recording and/or reproducing control signals

Abstract

In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing audio or other information signals in one or more record tracks on a face of a magnetic tape as the latter is guided in a predetermined path, for example, from a supply reel to a take-up reel; a magnetic head is disposed adjacent such path to engage an edge surface of the tape substantially at right angles to the face thereof for recording and/or reproducing a control signal in the tape from such edge surface, whereby to make available an increased proportion of the width of the tape for the record tracks and guard bands therebetween. Preferably, the head for recording and/or reproducing the control signal in the tape from an edge surface thereof is mounted at a tape guide member by which the tape is positioned in the direction of its width. Further, the control signal preferably has a low frequency, for example, of the order of 10 Hz, so as to minimize the spacing loss in recording or reproducing the control signal when the width of the tape is not precisely uniform.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.