Magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus

A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus operating in a plurality of modes matched to transmission rates to record and/or reproduce digital signals on/from a magnetic tape driven by a tape drive, said apparatus comprising:

• a first magnetic head having a first azimuth angle and being disposed at a first position on a rotary drum;
• a second magnetic head having a second azimuth angle opposed in polarity to said first azimuth angle and being disposed at a second position opposed to said first position by 180°;
• a third magnetic head having said first azimuth angle and being disposed at a third position on said rotary drum;
• a fourth magnetic head having said first azimuth angle and being disposed at a fourth position opposed to said third position by 180°;
• a fifth magnetic head having said second azimuth angle and being disposed at a fifth position on said rotary drum;
• a sixth magnetic head having said second azimuth angle and being disposed at a sixth position opposed to said fifth position by 180°;
• and
• a circuit for controlling said tape drive in a first mode to drive said magnetic tape at a first traveling speed for recording and/or reproducing said digital signal on two tracks per one revolution of said rotary drum using said first and second magnetic heads, for controlling said tape drive in a second mode to drive said magnetic tape at a second traveling speed which is twice as fast as said first traveling speed for recording and/or reproducing said digital signal on four tracks per one revolution of said rotary drum using said third, fourth, fifth and sixth magnetic heads, and for controlling said tape drive in a third mode to drive said magnetic tape at a third traveling speed which is one-half said first traveling speed for recording and/or reproducing said digital signal on two tracks for two revolutions of said rotary drum using said second and fourth magnetic heads.