An optomagnetic recording and reproducing system has been developed which demonstrates superior performance when used with multilayer recording substrates. The system features an optical head and magnetic head disposed opposite to each other on different sides of the recording substrate. The novel magnetic head can either incorporate a number of independently driven subheads, or alternately it can be constructed by placing multiple independently driven windings on a single head. Biasing of the magnetic head can either be performed externally using an external magnet or by providing a bias with one of the windings or sub-heads. The resulting optomagnetic recording and reproducing system is suitable for multi-valued recording of an optomagnetic recording medium.