Abstract: The present muting control apparatus comprises a first circuit for indicating selection of the error signal relative to N-m (N and m are natural numbers satisfying N>m) data blocks of N data blocks reproduced by a first rotary head when all of the first m data blocks thereof have errors. The first circuit also indicates selection of the error signal relative to N-m data blocks of N data blocks reproduced by a second rotary head when at least one of the first m data blocks reproduced by the first rotary head has no error. The muting control circuit also comprises a second circuit for generating a muting control signal indicating whether to mute the reproduced audio signal, by using error signal which is indicated by the first circuit.