A method (70) for controlling a multilevel regenerative drive (30) having a converter (32) and an inverter (34) is disclosed. The method (70) may include applying at least one of unipolar modulation and bipolar modulation to the converter (32), and applying at least one of unipolar modulation and bipolar modulation to the inverter (34). A control system (52) for a mechanical system (20) having a motor (28) is also disclosed. The control system (52) may comprise a converter (32) operatively connected to a power source (29), and an inverter (34) operatively connected to the motor (28) of the mechanical system (20). At least one controller may be in communication with the converter (32) and inverter (34), and may be configured to apply at least one of unipolar modulation and bipolar modulation to each of the converter (32) and the inverter (34).