Abstract: A system and method reduces the access time for a magnetic head transducer to be positioned on a selected recording track of an information storage media. A digital processor, responsive to a signal indicative of the selected track location determines the number of tracks separating the present location of the head from the selected track location and generates a series of alternate acceleration and deceleration control signals in accordance with a permanently stored instruction set. If the head is to be moved fewer than a predetermined number of tracks, the digital processor controls the head positioning servo system to move the head to the desired track location in single track increments.