Abstract: A method for preformatting an optical recording medium with a plurality of parallel guide tracks, each guide track controlling the recording of a band of data tracks; said method includes providing a source laser beam along a predetermined path at a wavelength which is selected to be within the sensitivity range of the optical recording medium and providing a beam splitter in the predetermined path which divides the source laser beam into a multiplicity of preformatted recorded beams directed to impinge upon the optical recording medium. The spacing or pitch between the beams at the optical recording medium is uniform.