Abstract: A simple and precise method of controlling the gap position (obliqueness and height) of magnetic recording installations with n tracks (n=1, 2 . . . ) is obtained by subdividing at least one track of a recording tape into two auxiliary tracks in accordance with the given recording format, which auxiliary tracks are recorded at the center to center track distance of d, using a special head with correct gap position. The recording wave length and magnetization are preferably equal due to the width of the auxiliary tracks being equal. The auxiliary track 1 is recorded continuously while the auxilary track 2 is recorded at time intervals with a signal of equal magnitude but with different phase angles. Each time interval has a phase angle associated with it. The magnitude of correction of the gap required can easily be determined from a graph showing the voltage level difference measured at two different phase positions.