PURPOSE: To easily and quickly retrieve the content of a recording tape without using an index by repeating a procedure to reproduce the recording tape for constant time after performing the fast forward feeding or rewinding of the recording tape only for prescribed time.

CONSTITUTION: The fast forward feeding or rewinding of the tape is performed for a time decided in advance, and a pulse wave generated from a capstan 3 during that time is counted by a microcomputer 5, and when the pulse wave arrives at the pulses equivalent to decided time, reproduction or variable speed reproduction can be automatically performed. In other words, the procedure to reproduce the recording tape for the constant time is repeated after the fast forward feeding or rewinding of the recording tape 1 is performed only for the prescribed time. Thereby, the content of the recording tape can be easily and quickly retrieved.