A tape drive comprising: two motors, at least one of which is a stepper motor; two tape spool supports on which spools of tape are mounted, each spool being driveable by a respective one of said motors; a controller adapted to control energization of said two motors such that tape is transported in at least one direction between spools of tape mounted on the spool supports; wherein the controller energizes both said motors to drive the spools in a tape transport direction, and said controller calculates a length of tape to be added to or subtracted from tape extending between said spools in order to maintain tension in said tape between predetermined limit values and controls said motors to drive the spools to add or subtract the calculated length of tape to or from the tape extending between said spools. view more