A tape drive (232) that receives a tape cartridge (42) having a tape (256) comprises a tape head (280) and a control system (270). The tape head (280) transfers data between the tape drive (232) and the tape (256). The control system (270) utilizes linear parameterization to control the position of the tape head (280) relative to the tape (256). The control system (270) can include a compensator (J) and a filter (Q). The compensator (J) is a combination of the information contained in a nominal control system (370A) and the information contained in a model of the servo system (370B). The model of the servo system (370B) estimates system disturbances that affect the tracking ability of the control system (270). The filter (Q) filters the estimated system disturbances to generate a filtered system disturbance signal. The filtered system disturbance signal is then used to adjust the output of the compensator (J). Additionally, the control system (270) can utilize Youla-Kucera parameterization to control the position of the tape head (280) relative to the tape (256). Further, the control system (270) controls the position of the tape head (280) relative to the tape (256) without the use of a feed-forward sensor.