> What actually makes that "chattering" sound that old tape systems make?

Lots of complex mechanical parts in a tape playback system (clutches, 
pulleys, idler gears, speed controllers, brakes etc) , the main "problem" is 
that you need to control the speed of the tape during playback and recording 
to a very accurate value.  You also need to drive the two spools 
appropiately to avoid the tape getting all bunched up or snapping.  You need 
to do this correctly for vastly different radii of tape on each spool (so 
you can't just drive the spools at a fixed or calculated rate), plus during 
fast forward and reverse.

I imagine the noise you are referring to could be anything within the whole 
drive system within the tape player.

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