Apparatus is disclosed for controlling a disk drive or DASD in a manner that is not synchronous with channel operation, that is, transfer of commands and data are not limited to inter-record gaps periods. A device interface processor controls which recording track is accessed by the DASD with data being transferred to and from a buffer. A device track indicator designates which recording tracks the device will move to in sequence. A channel interface processor controls the movement of data from and to the buffer and channel. A channel track indicator designates the recording track sequence in which the channel interface processor will access the data to be transferred. A method of operation is also disclosed for utilizing the two indicators to enable the device and channel processors to communicate with each other in case the device reads incorrect records in a multi-track read operation.