The present invention includes a first input signal circuit to receive pulse signals from a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), or some other controllable pulse signal source, and a second input signal circuit to receive pulse signals from a magnetic recording medium, or some pulse signal source, with which the voltage controlled oscillator is to be put in phase synchronization. A correction signal generator circuit is connected to both the input signal circuits to provide a first correction signal in response to a pulse signal from the recording medium and to provide a second correction signal in response to a pulse signal from the VCO. There is a third circuit which monitors how long a correction signal is in effect and if such a correction signal is present for longer than a predetermined time, the third circuit terminates the correction signal to enable a new correction signal to be generated in response to the next one of said input signals to arrive. Finally, there is a fourth circuit which is connected to the correction circuitry to permit it, in a first mode of operation, to be enabled at all times to phase correct the controllable pulse signal source in response to a predetermined pattern of signals from the recording medium and to permit it, in a second mode of operation, to be available only during "window" periods initiated by pulse signals from the recording medium.