An apparatus and method for recording on and reproducing from a magnetic tape a digital signal by rotating heads. A synchronizing signal, a control signal, and an error correction code are added to the digital signal, and the digital signal with those signals added is converted into a block form. At the recording time, a recording signal produced from a recording circuit is recorded on the recording medium by a first head of the rotating heads, and at the same time the recorded signal is reproduced by a second head of the rotating heads. In addition, there are provided a first recording mode in which two error correction codes are added, and a second recording mode in which three error correction codes are added. Thus, the recorded signal can be confirmed by the simultaneous playback made at the recording time so that the reliability in data can be assured.