Implementations disclosed herein include a method to synthesize the controller of a multi-stage servo control system with multiple actuators in a hard disk drive by dividing controller synthesis into multiple dual-stage steps. The method includes measuring a first output of a first plant corresponding to a first actuator, measuring a second output of a second plant corresponding to a second actuator, designing a first controller responsive to the first output, designing a second controller responsive to the second output, and combining the first output and the second output to obtain a first combined output in a first dual-stage. The method also includes designing a third controller responsive to the first combined output, measuring a third output from a third plant corresponding to a third actuator, designing a fourth controller responsive to the third output, and combining the first combined output and the third output to obtain a second combined output.