How to Play a 4 Track Cartridge on an 8 Track Player: 9 Steps

How to Play a 4 Track Cartridge on an 8 Track Player: 9 Steps

One of the main differences between 4-track cartridges and 8-track cartridges is that the pinch roller (the wheel used to help move the tape) is located inside the 8-track cartridge - but, inside the 4-track tape player itself. Therefore, a 4-track cartridge has a hole in the back where the internal pinch roller goes. You can still play a 4-track cartridge in an 8-track player using this method.

Steps

1. Get out a 4-track cartridge.

2. Get out an 8-track cartridge that you no longer care for.

3. Open up the 8-track cartridge.

4. Open up the 4-track cartridge.

5. Remove the tape from the 8-track cartridge. You may dispose of it if you wish.

6. Remove the tape from the 4-track cartridge.

7. Place the 4-track tape into the 8-track cartridge.

8. Close up the 8-track cartridge.

9. Insert tape into 8-track player and there you go... You can now play a 4-track tape inside an 8-track player!

Tips

• Some 4-track tapes have a long metal rod draped over the reel of tape to keep it secure. This can easily be pulled out.
• There are certain ways to open up an 8-track tape depending on the manufacturer. Different record labels have different cartridge designs. The easiest to open are the ones with a pry tab on top and two more on the bottom.
• Most 4-track tapes can be opened by unscrewing a screw underneath the front label. This will damage the label, though.

Warnings

• Handle the 4-track tape carefully. If you are too hasty in transplanting it from the original cartridge to the 8-track cartridge, you risk tangling the tape.