vinyl record

The vinyl record is a type of gramophone record, most popular from the 1950s to the 1990s, that was most commonly used for mass-produced recordings of music.

A vinyl gramophone or phonograph record consists of a disc of polyvinyl chloride plastic, engraved on both sides with a single concentric spiral groove in which a sapphire or diamond needle, stylus, is intended to run, from the outside edge towards the centre (though it should be noted that on a very small number of albums, like "Goodbye Blue and White" by Less Than Jake, a hidden track, or the entire side, will be played from the centre out). While a 78 rpm record is brittle and relatively easily broken, both the microgroove LP 33⅓ rpm record and the 45 rpm single records are made from vinyl plastic which is flexible and unbreakable in normal use. 78s come in a variety of sizes, the most common being 10 inch (25 cm) and 12 inch (30 cm) diameter, and these were originally sold in either paper or card covers, generally with a circular cutout allowing the record label to be seen. The Long-Playing records (LPs) usually come in a paper sleeve within a colour printed card jacket which also provides a track listing. 45 rpm singles and EPs (Extended Play) are of 7 inch (18 cm) diameter, the earlier copies being sold in paper covers. Grooves on a 78 rpm are much coarser than the LP and 45.

Common formats

12" 33⅓ rpm long-playing (LP) format
7" 45 rpm (single) format

Less common formats

12" 45 rpm extended-playing (12-inch single, Maxi Single and EP) format
10" 33⅓ rpm long-playing (LP) format
10" 45 rpm extended-playing (EP) format
7" 33⅓ rpm extended-playing (EP) format
16⅔ rpm format for voice recording
12", 10" and 7" picture discs and shaped discs
Specialty sizes (5", 6", 8", 9", 11", 13")
Flexidiscs, often square 7"s

History and development

Some 78 rpm records were pressed in vinyl instead of wax, particularly the six-minute 12" 78 rpm records produced by V-Disc for distribution to US troops in World War II. The 12" Long Play (LP) 33⅓ rpm microgroove record was introduced by the Columbia Record Company in 1948. Although replaced by digital media such as the compact disc as a popular mass marketed music medium, vinyl records continue to be manufactured and sold in the 21st century. Historicaly the most common formats are:

12" (30 cm) / 33⅓ rpm LP
7" / 45 rpm EP or Single

followed by

10" / 45 rpm LP (superceeded by 12" (30 cm) / 33⅓ rpm LP in the 60's)
12" (30 cm) / 33 or 45 rpm Maxi Single (introduced in the 80's)

Today most of the records are issued in 12" (30 cm) LP or Maxi Single. The sound quality and durability of vinyl records is highly dependent on the quality of the vinyl used. Most vinyl records are pressed on recycled vinyl. Unrecycled "Virgin" or "Heavy" (180-220 g/m²) was commonly used for "classical" music, although it has been used for some other genres. Today, it is more and more common in vinyl pressings that can be found in most record shops. Even modern albums like Shellac's and Mission of Burma's latest are pressed on 180 g/m² vinyl, though most are reissues of classic albums, like The Clash's series of reissues. These albums tend to withstand the damage caused by normal play better than regular vinyl. While most vinyl records are pressed from metal master discs, a technique known as lathe-cutting was introduced in the late 1980s by Peter King in Geraldine, New Zealand. A lathe is used to cut microgrooves into a clear polycarbonate disc. Lathe cut records can be made inexpensively in small runs. However, the sound quality is significantly worse than proper vinyl records, and lathe cut records tend to degrade further in quality after repeated playing.

Vinyl vs. compact discs

In the early days of compact discs, vinyl records were still prized by audiophiles because of better reproduction of analog recordings, however the drawback was greater sensitivity to scratches and dust. Early compact discs were perceived by some as screechy, distorting sounds on the high end, and not as "warm" as vinyl especially in recordings that require a wide dynamic range (eg. classical recordings). This resulted in a slower acceptance of digital music in its early years by some listeners. Though digital audio technology has improved over the years, some audiophiles still prefer what they perceive as the warmer and more detailed sound of vinyl over the harsher sound of CDs. Some listeners were also disappointed by what they considered to be unfaithful remastering of analog recordings. The advent of higher-quality digital formats, notably SACD, offers the tantalizing possibility of combining the high-quality sound of the best analog recordings with the convenience and durability of the CD. Many artists still release recordings, in limited pressings, on vinyl. For DJs, mostly in the electronic dance music or hip hop genres, vinyl has another advantage over the CD: the direct manipulation of the medium. While with CDs or cassettes one normally has only indirect manipulation options (the play/stop/pause etc. buttons), with a record one can put the needle a few tracks farther in- or outwards and accelerate/decelerate the spinning or even reverse the direction (if the needle and record player is built to withstand it). However some professional CD players now have this capability. One company has developed a player that uses a laser instead of a needle to read vinyl discs. In theory, it eliminates the possibility of scratches and attendent degradation of the sound, but its expense limits use primarily to digital archiving of analog records.

Vinyl Record

Common formats

Less common formats

History and development

Vinyl vs. compact discs

See also