Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for recording digital audio information using light modulation of a laser beam on cinefilm. In the invention, a laser beam of low coherence and high output is radiated from a semiconductor laser having a wide radiating area, modulated within the depth of focus of the laser beam, and then illuminated on a sound track of a cinefilm. In one embodiment the laser beam is bifurcated into first and second beams using a diffraction lattice. The invention shortens the recording time for voice data, reduces speckle noise, and eliminates the need for polarizing plates, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing the production costs of the recording apparatus.