An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a first module and a second module each having an array of transducers oriented orthogonal to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, where the first module is movable relative to the second module. The apparatus also includes an actuator configured to exert a force on one of the modules for causing a relative movement of the first module with respect to the second module for aligning the transducers of the first module with the transducers of the second module in a direction of tape travel thereacross. Moreover, longitudinal axes of the arrays of the first and second modules are not pivotable from orthogonal to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.