PURPOSE: To complete the loading in a short time even if the end part of a magnetic tape is detected during the halfway of the loading by switching the braking force with a braking means from one reel stage to another reel stage when the end part of the magnetic tape is detected with a sensor.

CONSTITUTION: A control means which switches the braking force with a braking means from one reel stage to the another reel stage when the end part of a magnetic tape with a sensor is provided. For example, during tape loading, one reel stage of the reel stages 10 and 11 is made to be braked state, and the other reel stage is made to be free state. The magnetic tape is drawn out of this reel stage. When the end part of the magnetic tape is detected with the sensor during the halfway of the loading, the braked state of one reel stage is released, and the other reel stage is made to be the braked state. The magnetic tape is drawn out of the reel stage wherein the magnetic tape does not show its end part. In this way, the rewinding work of the tape and the like are not required even if the end part of the magnetic tape is detected during the halfway of the loading, and the tape loading can be completed in a short time.