PURPOSE: To avoid malfunction and shifting of the stop position of a tape which are caused in a record cancel mode by storing the count value of the tape drive every time a no-signal state longer than the set period of time is detected and rewinding the recorded tape back to the last count value with a record cancel command to hold the tape on stand-by.

CONSTITUTION: A counter circuit 7 counts the drive amount of a recording tape. A no-signal part detecting circuit 9 delivers a memory indication signal ME when it detects that a no-signal state lasts longer than the set period of time. The circuit 7 stores the count value of that time point in place of the preceding value. When a record cancel command signal generating circuit 10 delivers a record cancel command signal RC, a drive circuit 8 sets a mechanism part under a rewind mode and sends a down signal DW to the circuit 7. The circuit 7 compares the present down-count value with the count value stored at the last and delivers a record pause signal R/P to the circuit 8 when the contents of both counters coincide.