A cassette-type magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus is comprised of a rotary drum unit having a magnetic head or heads for recording or reproducing signals on a magnetic tape, a loading device movable between a first position and a second position by the operation of a single electric motor, a tape guide device responsive to movement of the loading device to extract the tape from a cassette and to guide the tape by being moved between an inoperative position and an operative position in which a preset tape path is defined in proximity to the drum device, and a pinch roller operating device also associated with the loading device for pressing the pinch roller against the capstan or disengaging the pinch roller from the capstan.