Tape transport refers to the mechanism used to move magnetic tape through a recording or playback system. There are a few different synonyms for this term that are often used interchangeably, including tape deck, cassette deck, and reel-to-reel player. Each of these terms describes a slightly different type of tape transport system: tape decks typically refer to smaller cassette tape players, while reel-to-reel players are larger and designed for professional use. Regardless of the specific terminology used, tape transport systems have played a crucial role in the history and development of audio recording and playback technology.