A motor drive having controller settings which will result in improved tuning-less performance is disclosed. Gain values for the control loops and/or observer are determined independently of the mechanical loading and the resultant effects of that loading on the motor. The motor drive includes a control loop operable to receive a command signal and to generate a controller reference signal to achieve desired operation of a motor connected to the motor drive. The motor drive also includes a load observer operable to generate a signal that estimates a response required by the motor drive as a result of a load present on the motor. The response estimate signal is provided to the controller to isolate the effects of the load dynamics from operation of the control loops within the controller. A modified controller reference signal is generated as a function of the response estimate signal and the controller reference signal.