A multi-level method using wave-shape modulation is presented. In this method, a short pit or land is added to the original marks, which leads to a recognizable “disturbance” in the readout signal and results in wave-shape modulation of readout signal. Using a simplified mastering model and angular-spectrum decomposition-based readout model, this method is simulated on the DVD system. Simulation determines how many levels can be realized for each run-length as well as the writing parameters for each level. Experiments on typical run-length of 6T and 11T are carried out. The readout signal agrees with the simulated one. Level error rates less than 1×10-4 and 1×10-5 are achieved. Experiments validate this new multi-level recording method.