Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the storage of binary data on a magnetic surface is described. The binary data to be stored is provided in the form of electrical pulses occurring sequentially at intervals of time T. The method and apparatus provide for exciting a recording head and causing a flux transition at a first predetermined time T.sub.1 during the data pulse interval in order to store a first binary character or, alternatively, for exciting the head at a second predetermined time T.sub.2 for storing a second binary character. A minimum transition separation time T.sub.min equal to the interval period T is established by inhibiting excitation of the head at those times which are separated from another transition by a period of time less than T. A limited maximum transition separation time T.sub.max is provided by shifting the excitation of the head in an interval immediately adjacent an interval during which excitation of the head was inhibited.