A tape path
control system and related method for controlling the position of a tape medium in the
tape drive. The tape path includes a first tape guide roller, a second tape guide roller spaced from the first roller, and a transducing head situated between the first and second rollers. The first and second rollers may be large and closely spaced, with the second tape guide roller being spaced from the first roller at a roller
diameter / center-to-center spacing ratio of between approximately 1:1-1:2 while still accommodating the transducing head therebetween. The transducing head may be positioned to lie on an opposite side of the tape medium from the first and second guide rollers, or on the same side of the tape. A precision alignment
system is associated with the second roller. When operable, the precision alignment
system allows the second roller to be adjustably aligned relative to the first roller in order to control lateral tape movement when a tape medium streams across the rollers in operative engagement with the transducing head. The precision alignment
system may include an axial adjustment control adapted to adjust a position of the second roller along an axis thereof. The precision alignment system may further include a tilt angle adjustment control adapted to adjust a tilt angle of the second roller.