A signal reproducing apparatus, which reproduces data from a tape in which data and a pilot signal for tracking have been recorded In oblique tracks, includes a tape driver for running the tape in the longitudinal direction, a rotary head for rotating and scanning the tape to produce reproduction signals, a reference generator for generating a reference signal which Is the rotation standard of the rotary head, a tracking error detector for producing a tracking error signal from the pilot signal contained in the reproduction signals, and a timing controller for controlling the start timing of tape running of the tape driver with respect to the reference signal, on the basis of the tracking error signal and reference signal in the stopped state of tape running.