A method of parallel bit-wise recording of data in a holographic disk, the method comprising: emitting a plurality of signal beams from a first set of optical components towards a first side of the holographic disk; emitting a plurality of counter-propagating reference beams from a second set of optical components towards a second side of the holographic disk; determining whether the plurality of signal beam spots is aligned in the plurality of target data tracks in a target layer of the holographic disk; determining whether each counter-propagating reference beam in the plurality of counter-propagating reference beams substantially overlaps with a corresponding signal beam in the plurality of signal beams to form a plurality of illumination spots during the recording of the holographic disk; adjusting one or more of the first set of optical components when one or more of the plurality of signal beams is determined to not align in the plurality of target data tracks in a target layer of the holographic disk by tilting one or more lenses in one or more of a tangential, or a radial direction; adjusting one or more of the second set of optical components when one or more of the plurality of reference beams is determined to not substantially overlap with the corresponding signal beam in the plurality of signal beams to form a plurality of illumination spots; and recording a plurality of micro-holograms in parallel in the target data tracks in a target layer of the holographic disk; wherein determining whether each counter-propagating reference beam substantially overlaps with a corresponding signal beam to form a plurality of illumination spots comprises analyzing the intensity distribution of two or more of the transmitted signal beams through the disk by using an array of quadrant detectors (134, 136) and a plurality of focus error generators (138, 140). emitting a plurality of signal beams from a first set of optical components towards a first side of the holographic disk; emitting a plurality of counter-propagating reference beams from a second set of optical components towards a second side of the holographic disk; determining whether the plurality of signal beam spots is aligned in the plurality of target data tracks in a target layer of the holographic disk; determining whether each counter-propagating reference beam in the plurality of counter-propagating reference beams substantially overlaps with a corresponding signal beam in the plurality of signal beams to form a plurality of illumination spots during the recording of the holographic disk; adjusting one or more of the first set of optical components when one or more of the plurality of signal beams is determined to not align in the plurality of target data tracks in a target layer of the holographic disk by tilting one or more lenses in one or more of a tangential, or a radial direction; adjusting one or more of the second set of optical components when one or more of the plurality of reference beams is determined to not substantially overlap with the corresponding signal beam in the plurality of signal beams to form a plurality of illumination spots; and recording a plurality of micro-holograms in parallel in the target data tracks in a target layer of the holographic disk; wherein determining whether each counter-propagating reference beam substantially overlaps with a corresponding signal beam to form a plurality of illumination spots comprises analyzing the intensity distribution of two or more of the transmitted signal beams through the disk by using an array of quadrant detectors (134, 136) and a plurality of focus error generators (138, 140).