PURPOSE: To offer a pause device enabling the stand-by (reproducing) recording, for a tape recorder in which a power switch is interlocked with a tape running operation member, by adopting key switches.

CONSTITUTION: An S1 is a key switch of nonlock push-on type for pause operation. In the stand-by recording (reproduction), when the recording (reproduction) operating member during onoperation periods t5Wt7 of the 1st time of the S1, a power switch S2 is turned on at a time t6, and a circuit FF1 is brought to initial conditions, resulting in that the output of an inverter I 2 is H, the base of a TRQ1 is at ground level until t7, and a motor M1 is stopped. When the S1 is turned on at the time t7, the circuit FF1 is inverted, the output of the inverter I 2 is L, and a tape is not started with TRsQ1, Q2 and a diode D5. When the switch S1 is turned on from this state during the time t8Wt9, the motor M1 is driven firstly at the time t9 to provide the stand-by recording (reproduction).