PURPOSE: To always ensure the stable tracking by sampling a level difference signal between two types of difference frequency signals produced from the reproduced pilot signal obtained in a reproduction mode with the prescribed timing and using the sampled level differene signal as a tracking control signal.

CONSTITUTION: The recording/reproducing heads 3 and 4 trace odd and even tracks alternately, and a period while the head 3 is tracing the center part of a track is set as the sample holding timing. Then the tracking control is carried out with use of the level difference signal which is sampled and held at a preceding track in a period during which the other head 4 traces a track. Thus the tracking control signal is always produced only from the level difference signal obtained by the head 3 as long as the sampling/holding timing is set in such a way as mentioned above. Therefore it is not necessary at all to give concideration to the fluctuation of the tracking signal due to the individual difference between heads 3 and 4.