For the active compensation of oscillations in a machine which processes
printing material, a signal which contains an oscillation of the machine
or of a part of the machine is measured and at least one counter torque
is introduced into the machine to reduce the oscillation. At least one
measure for a ratio between the amplitude of the uncompensated
oscillation and the amplitude of the counter torque necessary for
complete compensation is compared with a threshold value. The counter
torque is determined in a first functional relationship with the
oscillation if the measure is greater than the threshold value, and the
counter torque is determined in a second functional relationship with the
oscillation, if the measure is smaller than the threshold value. In the
machine, a regulating device is operated in a first or second operating
mode in dependence on the measure of the ratio.