Abstract

A magnetic tape contact printing apparatus includes a rotational transfer drum for driving a copy tape in intimate contact with a mother tape on which information signals are recorded, these information signals being transferred from the mother tape to the copy tape. The apparatus also includes a sensor for sensing the rotational speed of the rotational transfer drum, a pair of reel discs each mounting a copy tape supply reel and a copy tape take-up reel about which the copy tape is wound, and a pair of reel disc motors for driving the reel discs. A pair of tensioning devices respectively tension the copy tape running between the copy tape supply reel and the rotational transfer drum and between the latter and the copy tape take-up reel. Tension sensors sense the tension applied to the copy tape by the tensioning devices, and a controller drive-controls the reel disc motors on the basis of the tension sensed by the tension sensors and the rotational acceleration of the rotational transfer drum computed from the rotational speed sensed by the drum speed sensor. In accordance with the invention, this enables the tension applied to the tapes at the time of starting and stopping of rotation of the rotational transfer drum to be maintained at a predetermined value.