tape decks

A tape deck is a device used to play and record audio on magnetic tape tapes. It features a mechanism that moves the tape past electronic heads, which read or write sound signals. Tape decks often include controls for play, record, rewind, and fast-forward, along with features like tuning and signal levels. They were popular for music, radio recordings, and personal audio before digital formats became widespread. Modern equivalents include cassette players and recording devices, with the core principle of magnetically storing sound data for playback or recording.