The present invention provides a recording and/or reproducing apparatus using
a magneto-optical disc (3) as a recording medium, which includes a recording
and/or reproducing mechanism (7) for recording and reproducing information
signals to and from the magneto-optical disc (3) rotatably housed in a disc
cartridge (2), a support base (19) which supports the recording and/or
reproducing mechanism (7), and a impact drive mechanism (9) which
causes the electromechanical-transduction element (25) to lengthen and shorten
corresponding to driving pulses to shift the drive shaft (24) along the
shaft direction thereof so as to cause the movable portion (27) to slide
along the shaft direction of the drive shaft (24) together with the support
base (19), and the recording and/or reproducing mechanism (7) and
the impact drive mechanism (9) are arranged within a projection area of
the openings (4a), (4b) of the disc cartridge (2)
for exposing a part of the magneto-optical disc (3) to the outside from
the inner to the outer circumference thereof