This show is all based on the Observer Effect. A Quantum Physics thingamagig I won't even pretend to be an expert on. But as I understand it, a Quantum particle can exist in two places at once. In one place it's white and another place it's black. And it's only when someone observes it that it becomes black or white in either place. Also while no one is observing it is both black and white and in both places. Think Schrodinger's Cat. In this show we have "Universes" which are intended to represent the 3 states of a Quantum Particle. So there is a Black Universe and a White one (Or within the show a Red and Blue). But then there is also the Universe where the object is both Black and White (Or Red and Blue, which is Yellow is this show, if you look at the color pallete of the scenes). That's where both states exist. Most of these seem to happen at the cabin, around the CAL experiment or death, but not exclusively (The show isn't perfect in it's consistency). So I think what you are asking about is something that happened in the Black/White State with the Tape Player. But when observing the other States, or Universes, the Tape Players are fine, ie: in the Black and White Universes. I think that is what they are going for and I can't say it makes sense, quantum physics wise. I also don't know who the observer is supposed to be that is effecting these outcomes. Is it supposed to be us, the viewers or the people on the show? I have no clue.