A recorder slidably receives the opposite edges of a magnetic tape cartridge within grooved guides and locks the cartridge in an operative position using an opposite pair of movable catches which engage notches in the opposite edges of the cartridge. Cartridge ejection is effected by energizing a solenoid which pulls the opposite catches out of the cartridge edge notches along enough for a pair of spring-loaded elements to push the cartridge forward out of the operative position. A wheel located within the cartridge and coupled to drive a length of magnetic tape therein is engaged with and driven by a drive wheel when the cartridge is in the operative position. The drive wheel is mounted on a drive shaft having an end thereof opposite the drive wheel rotatably supported by a bearing and an opposite portion thereof adjacent the drive wheel supported by another bearing which is resiliently mounted by a spring within an aperture at the top of the housing for the recorder. A motor mounted within the housing provides positive, non-resonant driving of the drive wheel via a bevelled wheel mounted on the motor shaft and having a resilient outer periphery thereof engaged with a second bevelled wheel mounted on the drive shaft adjacent the first-mentioned bearing.