In a recording/reproducing apparatus having a large number of probes, being still usable continuously when several pieces of the probes are in trouble, wherein a plural number of probes are so disposed that they can make recording and/or reproducing onto the same recording area, which is in charge of the probes, respectively, and when defect, such as, a trouble is generated within a first probe, that defect is detected, automatically, so as to exchanged into a spare probe built within the frame, thereby compensating the defect.