Abstract: An adaptive rewind system is described for use in tape drive apparatus or other apparatus involving roll goods which are movable between a supply reel and a take-up reel. The system includes (1) comparison means for (a) comparing the voltage at the motor driving the supply reel to a supply reference voltage, and (b) comparing the voltage at the motor driving the take-up reel to the supply reference voltage, and (2) control means adapted to maximize the velocity of the roll goods while being wound from one reel to the other. The control means is adapted to drive at least one of the motors with a voltage essentially equal to the supply reference voltage, while the voltage at the other motor does not exceed the supply reference voltage.