A magnetic media for magnetic data recording having reduced signal noise. The magnetic media includes a magnetic recording layer that has first, second and third portions. The first portion at the bottom of the magnetic recording layer includes an oxide and has a high anisotropy field. The third portion, located at the top of the magnetic recording layer has a low anisotropy field and does not include an oxide. The second portion, located between the first and third portions has an anisotropy field that is between that of the first and third magnetic portions. The second portion includes a thin layer of a material that has an extremely low anisotropy field that is located within a material having a higher magnetic anisotropy.