PURPOSE: To keep the tension of magnetic tape constant, by controlling the drive current of the reel motor at winding side while applying the brake current to the reel motor at pay-off side and exerting the braking.

CONSTITUTION: The magnetic tape 7 is wound between the reels 1 and 2, and the tension detector 3 and the speed detector 4 are povided. The reel drive motor 10 is of multiwinding type, and the drive current is supplied from the drive current circuit 12 and the brake current is fed from the brake current circuit 14. The motor 11 is constituted similarly. When the tape 7 runs from the reel 2 to the reel 1, if the tape tension changes, it is detected at the detector 3 and the brake current is adjusted at the circuit 15. If the running speed slows down with over-braking, it is detected at the detector 4 and the circuit 16 controls the drive current via the circuit 12. Thus, the tape tension can be kept constant.