The superconducting $YBa_2Cu_4O_8$ was synthesized in oxygen condition at 1 atm. The starting material with 1 : 2 : 4 composition was obtained by pyrolysis of EDTA complex, which was converted to 1-2-3 phase during densification, followed by the 1-2-4 phase recovery at $810^{circ}C$ . The phase presents were identified by XRD, TG, DTA and AC magnetic susceptibility. Our data indicated that considerable amounts of 1-2-4 phase formed but with the 1 : 2 : 3 phase or possibly 2-4-7 as visible. As the P($O_2$) increased with temperature, impurity peak, CuO ($2{Theta}$ = 38.8), gradually decrease, and we conclude that the 1-2-4 phase is predominant bulk superconductor under the high oxygen pressure.