Filled-gap magnetic recording head and method of making

A magnetic tape recorder system comprising:

• a magnetic head having:
• a rowbar substrate having a tape support surface and a gap surface at a substrate edge,
• a closure opposite the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, said closure forming a portion of the tape support surface,
• a recessed gap region interposed between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a recessed gap profile that extends from the gap surface of the rowbar substrate to the closure, the recessed gap region having a transducer row with at least one magnetic sensor on the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, and
• an insulation layer over the recessed gap profile of the recessed gap region and extending from the gap surface of the rowbar substrate to the closure, wherein about an entire upper surface of the insulation layer above the recessed gap region is recessed from the tape support surface;
• and
• a control unit configured to provide a motor control signal to cause a magnetic tape to move across the magnetic head.